Present Continuous
❖ We use the present continuous for actions happening at the moment.
- We form the affirmative form of the present continuous with the present of v. to be+verb+ing.
Example: I am drinking tea.
- We form the negative form of the present continuous by adding “not” to the v. to be.
Example: I am not drinking tea.
- We form the interrogative form of the present continuous with the inversion of the subject with the v. to be.
Example: Are you drinking tea?
❖ Here are some examples of time words we use in the present continuous:
- Now: I’m reading an interesting book right now.
- At the moment: My mom is washing the dishes at the moment.
- Today: My cousins are coming from London today.
❖ We generally use the following verbs with the present simple, NOT the present continuous:
- Like: Anna likes strawberry ice-cream
- Have got: Marc has got two sisters.
- Know: I know the answer to this Math problem.
- Understand: They don’t understand Spanish.
- Believe: My friends don’t believe my story.
❖ Spelling:
- When the verb ends with a silent e, drop the e and add -ing: make making
take taking
- For short, one-syllable verbs, that end with consonant + vowel + consonant (CVC), we must
double the last consonant and then add -ing: swim swimming
run running
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- For words that end w, x and y, do not double the last consonant; just add -ing: enjoy enjoying
study studying
- For verbs that end in -ie, change the ie to y before adding -ing: die dying
❖ Both the long and short form of the verb to Be can be used.
Affirmative form
Long form Short form/contractions
I am eating I’m eating
You are eating You’re eating
He is /She is /It is eating He’s /She’s /It’s eating
We are eating We’re eating
You are eating You’re eating
They are eating They’re eating
❖ We form the negative by adding NOT to the verb to Be.
Negative form
Long form Short form/contractions
I am not studying I’m not studying
You are not studying You aren’t studying
He is not/She is not/It is not studying He isn’t /She isn’t /It isn’t studying
We are not studying We aren’t studying
You are not studying You aren’t studying
They are not studying They aren’t studying
❖ We form the interrogative by doing the inversion of the subject and verb.
Full form Question/Interrogative form
You are playing football. Are you playing football?
He is writing a book. Is he writing a book?
They are coming now. Are they coming now?
Questions Short answers
Are you playing football? Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.
Is he writing a book? Yes, he is. /No, he isn’t.
Are they coming now? Yes, they are. / No, they aren’t.
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