Present Continuous

 

 

Pattern

 Form of Sentences

 

Use

The Present Continuous is used:

• to express an activity that is happening  now.

You can’t speak to Jean.  She is having a bath.

• to express an activity or situation that is true now, but it is not necessarily happening at the moment of speaking. 

Don't take that book. Jane is reading it.

• to express a temporary activity.

Peter is a student, but he is working as barman during the holidays.

• to express a planed future arrangement.

We are meeting at 1.00 outside the restaurant.

 

Examples:

My teacher is teaching in the class now.

Are you watching film?

Is he typing a letter?

 

The Example of Dialogue Using Present Continuous Tense

Mother         : You’re working hard, Syifa.  What are you doing?

Syifa             : I am writing a short story, mom.

Mother         : Wow…..Do you like writing?

Syifa             : Yes, I like writing some stories. 

            And, now, I would like to send my writing to the magazine.

Mother         : Good. I agree with you.

            I think you will be the best writer.

Syifa             : Thanks, mom.  I hope so.

Mother         : I will always support you.

                      By the way, will you join public speaking training?

Syifa             : Yes, I will. I really want to join the training, mom.

Mother         : Ok. We can go there tomorrow afternoon.

Syifa             : Thank you, mom.  I love you.

Mother         : You are welcome.  I love you, too.

 

The Example of Text Using Present Continuous Tense

The Best Art Critics

 

I am an art student and I paint a lot of pictures.  Many people pretend that they understand modern art.  They always tell you what a picture is ‘about’.  Of course, many pictures are not ‘about’ anything.  They are just pretty patterns.  We like them in the same way that we like pretty curtain material.  I think that young children often appreciate modern pictures better than anyone else.  They notice more.  My sister is only seven, but she always tells me whether my pictures are good or not.  She came into my room yesterday.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

“I am hanging this picture on the wall,” I answered.

“It’s a new one.  Do you like it?”

She looked at it critically for a moment.  “It’s all right,” she said, “but isn’t it upside-down?”  I looked at it again.  She was right! It was!

(taken from Practice and Progress)