PRESENT

CONTINUOUS
GRAMMAR AND USE
PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Affirmative Subject + verb to be + verb in “-ing” +

complement 

Negative Subject + verb to be + “not” + verb in

“-ing” + complement

Interrogative Verb to be + subject + verb in gerund +

complement
PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am listening to music I am not listening to music Am I listening to music?

You are listening to music You are not listening to music Are you listening to music?
He is listening to music He is not listening to music Is he listening to music?
She is listening to music She is not listening to music Is she listening to music?
It is listening to music It is not listening to music Is it listening to music?
We are listening to music We are not listening to music Are we listening to music?
They are listening to music They are not listening to music Are they listening to music?
PRESENT CONTINUOUS (use) I
• Describing things as they are happening

I can’t talk right now, I’m taking a shower

• Describing things in a moment around present time
(unfinished actions)
I’m watching a very exciting tv series, you’d like it
• Talk about situations that are temporary or new

I’m training harder these days, my competition is next month

• Annoying habits (use a frequency adverb)

You’re always interrupting me, I hate it!!

PRESENT CONTINUOUS (use) II
• Talking about the future (when we have some
arrangements already done)
Tonight I’m going to the cinema, I bought the tickets
yesterday.
 STATE AND ACTION VERBS AND
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
State verbs NORMALLY only take SIMPLE PRESENT:
RIGHT WRONG

I like mushrooms I’m liking mushrooms

This box contains 5 bottles This box is containing 5 bottles

You owe me 10€ You’re owing me 5€

You need an appointment to see the You’re needing an appointment to see

doctor the doctor
 STATE AND ACTION VERBS AND
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
These are some of the most common state verbs
Agree Like
Appear Love
Believe Matter
Contain Owe
Doubt Own
Fit Promise
Hate Seem
Include Understand
Know Want

Longer list of state verbs

 STATE AND ACTION VERBS AND
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
But some state verbs can also function as action verbs,
and, in this case, there is a change of meaning

YOU LOOK NICE IN THAT DRESS

I’M LOOKING THROUGH THE PHOTOS IN MY MOBILE

 Look

She’s looking through

Her hair looks
the photo album.
wonderful.
 Smell

The flowers smell The taster is smelling

wonderful. the wine
 Taste

The milk tastes He is tasting the soup.

sweet.
 Feel

It feels like velvet. Why are you feeling your

pocket?
 Weight

It weighs 16 kilos. I’m weighing myself on

the scales.
 Have

She has a dog. He’s having a bath.

 Think

I think he’s happy. She’s thinking about her

exes.
 STATE AND ACTION VERBS AND
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Some practice:

https://www.allthingsgrammar.com/uploads/2/3/2/9/2329
0220/atg-quiz-stative.pdf

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/support-files/pr
esent_simple_or_present_continuous_sometimes_stative_
verbs.pdf