Present continuous

What is she doing?
She / read / book
She is reading the book.
She’s reading a book.

What is he doing?
He / listen / music
He is listening to music.
He’s listening to music.

What are they doing?
They / study
They’re studying.
They are studying.

What are they doing?
They / work
They’re working.
They are working.

What are they doing?
They / learn / English
They are learning English.
They’re learning English.

What are we doing?
We / smile
We’re smiling!

What am I doing?
I / type
I’m typing.

What are you doing?
You / behave /
badly
You’re behaving
badly!

Form
Positive (+)
Subject + auxiliary (be) + verb + ing
I am = I’m walking.
You are = You’re reading.
He/She/It is = He’s/She’s/It’s eating.
We are = We’re laughing.
They are = They’re shouting.

Form
Negative (-)
Subject + auxiliary (be)+ not + verb + ing
I’m looking.
You’re playing.
He’s/She’s/It’s talking.
We’re jumping.
They’re climbing.
not

Form
Interrogative (?)
Auxiliary (be) + subject + verb + ing + ?
Am I dreaming?
Are you sleeping ?
Is he/she/it falling?
Are we flying?
Are they drinking?

Rules
Some verbs drop
the last -e:
Eg
write ⇨ writing
take ⇨ taking
bake ⇨ baking
dance ⇨ dancing
but see ⇨ seeing
Some verbs double
the last letter:
Eg
sit ⇨ sitting
swim ⇨ swimming
travel ⇨ travelling
get ⇨ getting
but open ⇨ opening

Rules
eg
lie ⇨lying
die ⇨ dying
The verb ‘be’ is only used in the continuous to describe temporary behaviour.
eg
He’s being naughty.
She’s being good.
He’s being an idiot.
Verbs ending in –ie,
drop the –ie + –y + ing

Short questions & answers:
cry
cook
play
do
Is the baby crying?
Is the man cooking?
Are the boys doing their homework?
No, he isn’t.
He’s playing the violin.
Yes he is.
He’s crying.
Yes they are!

When?
1. A short activity, happening right now:

When?
2. A temporary (not usual) situation:
I usually drive
to work
but this week
I’m walking.

When?
3. A change or action we’re in the middle of:
I’m getting a cold!

When?
4. A future arrangement:
Sorry, got to go –.
I’m meeting someone in half an hour.

Making future arrangements:
Are you free on Saturday?
Sorry / work
Sorry / see /family
Sorry / go / cinema / girlfriend
Sorry, I’m working.
Sorry, I’m seeing my family.
Sorry, I’m going to the cinema
with my girlfriend.

Exceptions:
Some verbs aren’t usually used in the present continuous:
Feelings
Mental states
Senses
Also: belong, include, contain
(hate, like, love, prefer, want, wish)
(believe, feel, know, remember,
mean, understand)
(hear, see, sound, smell, taste)
(BUT ‘How are you feeling? I’m feeling happy.)

Think . . . Have
The verbs have and think have a different meaning in the simple and continuous.
I think that’s good. (opinion)
Wait a minute, I’m thinking. (activity happening now)
I have a car. (possession)
I’m having lunch. (activity happening now)