Grammar-A1_5-present-continuous

Grammar A1 present continuous

Recommended for:

Gold Experience

Focus

High Note

2019

The present continuous

Let’s look at:

• When we use the present continuous.
• How we make sentences in the present continuous.
• Spelling changes with the verb - ing form.

When do we use it?

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Function: the present continuous

Hello! What are you doing? Where is Jayne?

She’s cooking dinner in the kitchen. I’m doing my homework. Are you doing your homework?

No, I’m not. I’m not studying. I’m watching TV.

An action happening now.

I am doing my homework

The boy says ‘I’m doing my homework’. Is he talking about a habit or an action happening now?

now

Present

Fill in the table with the actions happening now for each person.

Look at the conversation. Are the boy and girl describing actions in the present or past?

Person

Girl

Action happening now

Boy

Jayne

I’m watching TV.

I’m doing my homework.

She’s cooking dinner.

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Function: the present continuous

1. We use the present continuous to describe actions happening now, in this moment.

Hello! What are you doing? Where is Jayne?

She’s cooking dinner in the kitchen. I’m doing my homework. And you?

No, I’m not. I’m not studying. I’m watching TV.

2. We do not use the present continuous with verbs that do not describe actions. For example, feelings, emotions, descriptions. We use the present simple.

The verb want is a desire or feeling, so we use the present simple.

I really want an ice cream right now!

This feeling is in this moment, but it is not an action.

How do we make sentences?

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Form: the present continuous

Hello! What are you doing? Where is Jayne?

She’s cooking dinner in the kitchen. I’m doing my homework. Are you doing your homework?

No, I’m not. I’m not studying. I’m watching TV.

negative

I

isn’t (is not)

verb - ing

We/You/They

positive

I

He/She/It

verb - ing

’ re (are)

’ m (am)

’ m not (am not)

’ s (is)

He/She/It

We/You/They

aren’t (are not)

short answers

Yes/No,

am/’m not

he/she/it

are/aren’t

question

(question word)

am

I

he/she/it

we/you/they

Look at the conversation again and complete the table. The first one is done for you.

I

verb - ing ?

is

is/isn’t

are

we/you/they

The verb to be

What verb is this?

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Form: the present continuous

positive

I

He/She/It

’ m (am)

verb - ing

’ s (is)

We/You/They

’ re (are)

The present continuous always has the verb to be + verb -ing

She’s cooking dinner.

We use short answers with closed questions ( yes/no questions).

negative

I

’ m not (am not)

He/She/It

isn’t (is not)

We/You/They

verb - ing

aren’t (are not)

I’m not studying.

Remember that there are two types of questions – open and closed. Open questions need a question word .

No, I’m not.

What are you doing?

short answers

Yes/No,

I

am/’m not

he/she/it

is/’isn’t

we/you/they

are/aren’t

question

(question word)

am

is

I

are

he/she/it

we/you/they

verb - ing

Are you doing your homework?

Spelling…

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Things to think about…

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 .

… spelling changes with the verb - ing form.

Look at the rule changes below…

Here are some examples.

dance – dancing, eat – eating, hit – hitting

Notice how there are small changes in spelling.

most verbs

verbs ending in - e

Add - ing.

Remove - e and add - ing.

verbs ending in - ie

Change - ie to - y.

verbs ending in one vowel and then one consonant

e.g. eat eating

Double the final consonant.

e.g. dance dancing

e.g. lie lying

e.g. swim swimming

The - ie is now a - y .

The - e has been removed here!

vowel

Double consonant!

consonant

Let’s practise!

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Practice activities

Complete the sentences in the present continuous.

• What…………………………..(Trudy)………………………….(eat)? It looks delicious!

• Sophie and Lennard…………………………………………(drive) that expensive car – look!

• I…………………………………..(not work) at the moment.

• ………………………… ..you……………………(watch) TV? I can hear a strange sound.

• It is a beautiful the day. The birds……………………………………(sing) in the garden.

• My daughter………………………………..(not sleep); she…………………………..(swim) in the lake!

’ s/is

eating

’ re/are driving

’ m not/am not working

Are

watching

’ re/are singing

isn’t/is not sleeping

’ s/is swimming

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