::You learn english:: Free grammar courses

We use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something is happening now. This tense can also be used to talk in general about what’s happening now, something that constantly repeats as well certain future plans and arrangements. The form of this tense is Subject + To be + Infinitive + Ing.

 

Let’s take a look at some examples:

 

First person	Notes
What are you doing?	Things that are happening now, at the moment.
She’s reading in the garden.
I’m reading a book.	Actions happening in a period around the present moment in time.
He’s studying hard this year.
He’s always working on the weekends.	Actions that constantly repeat.
They’re always playing poker.
We’re having a test this evening.	Future plans and arrangements.
I am not coming on Friday.

 

You can ask questions with the present continuous tense by using the following words for the relevant pronouns:

• “Is” for he, she, it. For example: Is she working right now?
• “Are” for you, we and they. For example: Are you walking here right now?

 

You can add “not” after “is” or “are”. For example: is he not walking here right now? Are they not attending the meeting?

 

You can abbreviate “is not” to “isn’t” and “are not” to “aren’t”.

 

Let’s do some exercises with what we have learned already. Place the appropriate present continuous word in the gaps and make sure to include “am”, “is” or “are”: type, eat, listen,  talk, walk, buy, play, dance, talk, drink, watch, work.

 

1. I ______ to the store right now.
2. He _____ something on his computer.
3. They ______ very loudly outside.
4. He ______ some water.
5. Is she _______ the piano?
6. She ______ as an accountant right now.
7. They ______ in the club.
8. Mark ______ on the phone.
9. Lisa and Johnny _______ new clothes.
10. Denny and Michelle _______ chocolate.
11. My grandmother ______ to music.
12. We _______ a movie.