Unit 2 – present continuous

The present continuous
Let’s look at:
When we use the present continuous.
How we make sentences in the present continuous.
Spelling changes in the -ing form.
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When do we use it?

Function: When do we use it?
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2
The young girl talks about two different actions.
1. Her mum isn’t working today.
2. She’s sleeping at the moment.
Yes. She isn’t working today because she’s ill. She’s sleeping at the moment.
Is your mum at home today?
Which of these two actions is happening right now?
Which of these two actions is a temporary action?
She isn’t working today.
She’s sleeping at the moment.

Function: When do we use it?
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2
1. For actions happening now.
She’s sleeping at the moment.
2. For temporary actions.
She isn’t working today (because she is ill).
This action is happening in this moment (at the same time the girl is speaking).
now
She is sleeping
This action is not permanent. The mum usually works, so this is different from normal.
How do we make sentences?

Form: How do we make sentences?
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2
Look at the example affirmative, negative and question in the present continuous. Put the pattern in the correct order. The first is done for you.

Form: How do we make sentences?
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2
Remember the verb
to be is: I am, you are, he/she/it is, we/they are
Here, the verb
to be is in the negative: I’m not, you aren’t, he/she/it isn’t, we/they aren’t.
Some questions are open (they need a long answer). With these types of questions, we need a question word.
Some questions are closed (yes/no answers). We don’t use a question word with these types of questions.
With yes/no answers, we use the verb to be in the affirmative or negative.

Things to think about…
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2
The spelling of the -ing form of the verb can change depending on the stem of the verb. The stem is the part of the verb you find in the dictionary, e.g. swimming – the stem is swim.
Look at the rule changes below…
…spelling changes with the verb -ing form.
Here are some examples.
dance – dancing, eat – eating, hit – hitting
Notice how there are small changes in spelling.
The -ie is now a -y.
The -e has been removed here!
vowel
consonant
double consonant!
Let’s practise!