BEEN faring ving “Language development > COURSEBOOK page 42, EXPERT GRAMMAR page 184 Present continuous 1 3a Write the -ing form of the verbs in the box in the correct group. - begin die happen have listen make plan stop take he visit 1 Add -ing start - starting 2 Drop -e and add -ing. live - living 3 Double final consonant and add -ing sit ~ siting 4 Change -ie to -y and add -ing lie - lying ‘Complete the sentences with the present continuous form of the verbs in brackets. 1 (not plan) to visit our customers in the north for some time. The internet (not work) today Unemployment in my country ___ (ise) and many young people (move) abroad 2 3 4 We ___ (not learn) much in this training programme. 5 We (create) a new website for the ‘company at the moment 6 Unfortunately, some stores (find) it hard to stay in business. Make questions in the present continuous, 1 you / work / or study /at the moment? 2. the government in your country / do / anything to help young people find work? 3 unemployment / where you live / rise / or fall? 4 people / in your country / find / it easier to find work nowadays? 5 what / you / plan /to do on your next day off? Answer the questions in Exercise 3a. Try to give ‘more information in your answers. Present continuous and present simple 4 Choose the correct options in italics to complete the sentences. 1 We speak / are speaking on the phone every day to discuss business. What do you usually have / are you usually having for lunch at work? They work / are working on a very important project these days. I never read / 1m never reading personal emails when Im at work My older brother thinks / is thinking about starting his own business Does your partner visit / Is your partner visting head office often? | dont think they'll have time for a meeting - they ‘meet / are meeting customers all week 2 3 Complete the sentences with the present simple or present continuous form of the verbs in brackets, 1 |_____(read) a report on the company’s performance They _ (eat out) once a week for a lunchtime meeting, My friend moment Our business _(not do) so well this year we ___ (think) about selling t ' (not drink / usually) coffee in the office —— (he / arrive / always) late for work? Many graduates nowadays ___{find) difficult to get a job. My husband and | week — (you / ever / give) presentations at work? le (have) a meeting with his boss at the moment 2 3 (work) as a babysitter at the _ (work) from home this 9 10 Stative verbs 7 Which sentence in each pair describes a state? ‘What do you notice about the verb forms? 1A I think we need to prepare for the meeting B What are you thinking about? 2A Were having a meeting, B Ihave a company car. 3A You look worried - whats the matter? B 1m looking at this years sales figures. Complete the sentences with the present simple or present continuous form of the verbs in brackets. 1 Most of the people | talk to (seem) to be happy with the new management : |___ (have) problems with my computer today My job_(mean) a lot to me. — (you / agree) with me? They __ (organise) an away-day for the team, but!__(not know) where wete going yet She's in her office - she _ (prepare) for the meeting That’ Eric Davis iy last job. gi (think) it was a good meeting - it took all day, but atleast now we _ (know) what to do [you / stil / work) on that report? (you / need) any help? 10 He (not like) his job because he (have to) work long hours. 2 3 4 5 ~1__ (recognise) him from ‘TEST STRATEGY 4m Task 2 of the Writing Paper, you may have to wnte about a current problem, situation or trend, Present tenses are particularly useful for this.