11ª Class

Class: CNM B
Discipline: English
Theme: Present Continuous

Name:
José Jaime Paulo
Geremias José Luís
Lúcia Macamo
Paulino Estevão
Martin Jorge
Quefasse José
Teacher:
Sardanha

Chimoio, April 2023

Indices
1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................3

2. Present continuous....................................................................................................................4
2.1. Formation of the Present Continuous...................................................................................7

2.2. Present Continuous grammar rules.......................................................................................9

3. Conclusion..............................................................................................................................12

4. Bibliography...........................................................................................................................13
 1. Introduction

This present work addresses the, About the present continuous, The present continuous is a
tense used, in the English language, to describe actions that are happening at the moment of
speech or actions that have just happened. This tense is formed by the subject + simple present of
the verb to be (are/is) + the gerund of the main verb (-ing). The present continuous is a tense
used, in the English language, to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speech or
actions that have just happened. This tense is formed by the subject + simple present of the verb
to be (are/is) + the gerund of the main verb (-ing). The Present Continuous or Present
Progressive (Present Continuous or Present Progressive) is one of the tenses in English that can
be used in two situations: to describe continuous actions of the present (i am eating a lot = I am
eating a lot) or to talk about a near future (after dinner, i am washing the dishes = after dinner,
i'm going to wash the dishes).

3
 2. Present continuous
The present continuous is a tense used, in the English language, to describe actions that
are happening at the moment of speech or actions that have just happened. This tense is
formed by the subject + simple present of the verb to be (are/is) + the gerund of the
main verb (-ing). The Present Continuous or Present Progressive (Present Continuous or
Present Progressive) is one of the tenses in English that can be used in two situations: to
describe continuous actions of the present (i am eating a lot = I am eating a lot) or to
talk about a near future (after dinner, i am washing the dishes = after dinner, i'm going
to wash the dishes).

Those who use the present continuous are referring to something unfinished or
incomplete, mainly. Verbs in Portuguese ending in 'ando', 'endo' and 'indo' must be
replaced in English by 'ing'. They are usually accompanied by adverbs of time: now, at
present, at the moment, etc.
Present Continuous is an English verb tense that represents continuous actions. It is
usually identified by the 'ing' ending of verbs. (Photo: The Blue Diamond Gallery)
Examples (in parentheses is the contracted form):

 I am (I’m) eating a hamburguer. 

 You are (You’re) learning a lot about that country. 
 He is (He’s) washing the dishes now.
 She is (She’s) studying English every day. 
 It is (It’s) raining today. 
 You are (You’re) running a lot. 
 We are (We’re) saving money to buy ice cream.
 They are (They’re) learning Spanish today.

Other ways to use  present continuous:

The present continuous is used to show actions that are happening at the moment of
speech, more precisely that started before, continued and will continue after the moment
of speech.
Examples: The baby is sleeping. He is so calm.

Example: The kids are getting very smart. 

4
Example: She is studying a lot. 

Formation of negative and interrogative sentences:

The negative is formed by adding “not” to the sentence. (Between parentheses

contracted form)
Examples:

 I am not reading the newspaper. 

 You are not (aren’t) wearing pajamas.
 He is not (isn’t) teaching about pollution. 
 She is not (ins’t) coming this year.
 It is not (isn’t) English test today.
 You are not (aren’t) helping to save the rivers. 
 We are not (aren’t) buying anything. 
 They are not (aren’t) playing volleyball. 

The interrogative is formed by changing the position of the verb “to be” in the sentence.

Examples:

 Am I doing it right? 
 Are you dating my sister? 
 Is he skating in the rink? 
 Is she saving money to buy a car? 
 Is it raining today? 
 Are you going to school now? 
 Are we traveling alone?
 Are they talking with my father?

It is observed, therefore, that the present continuous is a tense that is used to help the
speaker to describe an action that is happening in the present or that has just happened
and will continue to happen.

We use the present continuous in the future:

5
 - When we are talking about what we have already arranged to do.
What are you doing tomorrow evening? I’m going to the theatre.
Are you playing football tomorrow?
- There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of the event, and that
some preparation has already happened.
I'm meeting Jim at the airport = and both Jim and I have discussed this.
I am leaving tomorrow. = and I've already bought my train ticket.
- The time is nearly always given and is usually in the immediate future.
He is playing in the concert tonight.
We are meeting him after the performance.

Form Affirmative Negative Question

Will I will write the I won’t write the Will I write the letters?
letters letters
Going to You are going to You aren’t going to Are you going to write the
write the letters write the letters letters?
To be + verb+ ing I am playing I’m not playing Are you playing basketball
basketball basketball tomorrow tomorrow?
tomorrow.

The future: summary

Form Use Example

Will - Prediction I’m sure you’ll enjoy the film.
- Instantaneous or They’re here. I’ll open the door.
spontaneous decision, I’ll help you with your homework.
promise, request, warning. There will be a solar eclipse at 4.20
tomorrow.
- Certain (inevitable) action
in the future
Going to Future plan, intention They’re are going to get married
Prediction (with an Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain
indication in the present)
Present continuous -Events that have already -I’m seeing David tomorrow.
been arranged.
-Time adverb.

6
2.1. Formation of the Present Continuous
The Present Continuous consists of a main verb and an auxiliary verb. The use of the
verb 'to be' (am/are/is) in the Simple Present (simple present) comes with the auxiliary
together with the main verb, in which the ending 'ing' is added. See the structure of the
affirmative sentence below.

Subject + Simple Present of the verb to be (are/is) + the gerund of the main verb (ing).

 They are playing handball.

 I am writing an article.
 She is washing the dishes.
 It is raining.
 He is talking to you.
 You are writing the letter I asked you.

In the examples of affirmative sentences, the contracted forms of the verb 'to be' can be
used:’:
 i am – i’m
 you are – you’re
 he is – he’s
 she is – she’s
 it is – it’s
 you are – you’re
 we are – we’re
 they are – they’re

The negative form of the Present Continuous is composed by adding 'not' after the
simple present tense of the verb 'to be'.
Subject + Present Simple of the verb to be (are/is) + not + gerund of the main verb ing.

 They are not playing handball.

 I am not writing an article.
 We are not talking about our inheritance.

7
  She is not washing the dishes.
 It is not raining.
 He is not talking to you.
 You are not writing the letter I asked you.
In negative sentences of the Present Continuous, one can use the contracted forms of the
verb 'to be' + 'not, but it does not occur with 'am' (first person singular).

   i am not
 you are + not – you aren’t
 she is + not – she isn’t
 he is + not – he isn’t
 it is + not – it isn’t
 we are + not – we aren’t
 you are + not – you aren’t
 they are + not – they aren’t

Example:
•    They aren’t playing handball.
•    She isn’t washing the dishes.
•    He isn’t talking to you.

The interrogative form of the Present Continuous the subject is between the simple
present of the verb 'to be' and the gerund of the main verb. Check out the examples
below:
Simple Present of the verb To be + subject + gerund of the verb ing.
 Are they playing handball?
 Am I writing an article?
 Are we talking about our inheritance?
  Is she washing the dishes?
  Is it raining?
 Is he talking to you?
  Are you writing the letter I asked you?

8
In this verbal tense, you can use the question words (interrogative words): what
(What?), where (Where?), why (Why?) etc., used to obtain specific information.
Usually, they are placed before auxiliary verbs.

Example:
•    Where are you going?
•    What are you doing?
•    Why are you sleeping until now?

2.2. Present Continuous grammar rules

The suffix 'ing' is added to the main verb, and for that, it is necessary to know some
rules. Verbs ending in 'e', preceded by a consonant, remove the letter 'e' and replace it
with 'ing'.
Examples:
 live – living 
 take – taking 
 ride – riding 
 change – changing 
 bake – baking 

If the verbs have only one syllable and end in a consonant + consonant vowel, double
the last consonant and add the 'ing'. 
Examples:
•    cut – cutting
•    put – putting
•    run – running
•    sit – sitting
•    swim – swimming
•    play – playing 
•    say – saying 
•    study – studying 
•    marry – marrying 
•    copy – copying

9
•    try – trying 
•    stay – staying 
If the strongest (stressed) syllable is the first, the final letter is not doubled. Just add the
'ing'. Examples:
•    open – opening
•    happen – happening

Verbs ending with 'ie', replace with 'y' and add 'ing'. Examples:
•    die – dying
•    lie – lying
•    tie – tying

Present Continuous Tense Expressions Some tense expressions are used to highlight the
moment in which the action is taking place, they are:
 At the moment
 At the present
 At this moment
 Currently
 For the time being
 now
 nowadays
 Presently
 Right now
 At present
 At present my friend is living abroad.
 She is presently working in Japan.
 He’s not waiting here at the moment.
 She is learning English now.
 They are watching TV right now.

10
Some verbs are NOT used in the Present Continuous, they are:
 Like  smell
 Dislike  hear
  Know
 Believe  see (com sentido de entender)
  Understand  imagine
 Mean   recognize
 Remember   Realise
 Forget   Suppose
  Prefer  Wish
  Hate   Agree
  Love  Appear
   Want   astonish
  need
 Contain  Deny
 Depend   Disagree
  Deserve  Impress
   Lack  Promise
 Matter  Satisfy
 Measure   Seem
 belong   consist

I am working

You are playing

He is talking

She is living

It is eating

We are staying

They are sleeping

11
 3. Conclusion

After explaining the work, we concluded that, The present continuous is a tense
used, in the English language, to describe actions that are happening at the moment of
speech or actions that have just happened. This tense is formed by the subject + simple
present of the verb to be (are/is) + the gerund of the main verb (-ing). The Present
Continuous or Present Progressive (Present Continuous or Present Progressive) is one of
the tenses in English that can be used in two situations: to describe continuous actions
of the present (i am eating a lot = I am eating a lot) or to talk about a near future (after
dinner, i am washing the dishes = after dinner, i'm going to wash the dishes).

12
 4. Bibliography
CHIMIM, Renata; Ilearn English student book, 3 / Renata Chimim, Viviane
Kirmeliene; [obra coletiva organizada e desenvolvida pela editora]. 1ª. ed. São Paulo:
Pearson Education do Brasil, 2013.

13