Present Continuous Timeline

Statements +	Statements –	Questions ?	Short answer +	Short answer –
I’m working.	I’m not working.	Am I working?	Yes, I am.	No, I’m not.
He’s working.	He isn’t working.	Is he working?	Yes, he is.	No, he isn’t.
She’s working.	She isn’t working.	Is she working?	Yes, she is.	No, she isn’t.
It’s working.	It isn’t working.	Is it working?	Yes, it is.	No, it isn’t.
You’re working.	You aren’t working.	Are you working?	Yes, you are.	No, you aren’t.
We’re working.	We aren’t working.	Are we working?	Yes, we are.	No, we aren’t.
They’re working.	They aren’t working.	Are they working?	Yes, they are.	No, they aren’t.

2. We also use the present continuous tense to talk about things that are happening around now but are temporary.

For example:

What are you doing these days? — Unfortunately I’m working a lot.

3. It is also used to describe trends or situations that are happening but may be temporary.

For example:

Nowadays more and more people are shopping on the Internet.

4. ...and habitual actions (usually negative).

For example:

He’s always cleaning his car.

5. The present continuous tense can also be used to discuss future events.

For example:

We’re going on holiday on Saturday.

Note:

• The present continuous is usually used with doing verbs (verbs of action) not with verbs of state. The following verbs are not used in the continuous form:

Conditions: belong, cost, need, own, seem

Feelings: like, love, hate, want, wish

Beliefs: believe, feel, know, mean, remember, think, understand

• Some of the above verbs are used in continuous tenses when they describe actions and not states.

For example:

I think he’s lying.

I’m thinking about the plan. (= am considering)

• The verb enjoy can be used in continuous tenses to express specific preference.

For example:

I’m enjoying this party a lot. (specific preference)

BUT: I enjoy going to parties (I enjoy parties in general)

Present Simple vs. Present Continuous

! “What do you do?” = What is your job? vs. “What are you doing?” = What are you actually doing right now?

For example:

What do you do? — I’m a teacher.

What are you doing? — I’m teaching.

11. Identify the tenses, then match them to the correct description.

We’re going on holiday on Saturday. At the moment, I’m packing things for my trip. The plane to London leaves at eleven o’clock. Susan often goes skiing at the weekend. You’re always leaving the door open. The sun sets in the west. I’m looking for a new job these days. More and more people are going to university these days.

permanent states, repeated actions and daily routines general truths and laws of nature timetables and programmes actions happening at the moment of speaking temporary situations / actions happening around now trends/changing and developing situations to express criticism or annoyance actions that we have arranged to do in the near future

12. Choose the correct present form.

1. Where __________ (are you going / do you go) on honeymoon?

2. I always __________ a shirt and tie to work. (am wearing / wear)

3. Is David at home? — Yes, but he __________ a shower at the moment. (is having / has)

4. I __________ with my sister until my new house is ready. (am living / live)

5. This year we __________ (are going / go) to Colorado on a five-day skiing trip.

6. I __________ he’s already here. (am believing / believe)

7. __________ driving fast cars? (Are you liking / Do you like)

8. Linda __________ to drive at the moment. (is learning / learns)

9. Michael’s car broke down last week, so he __________ his father’s for the time being. (is using / uses)

10. Would you like a cup of coffee? — No, thank you, I __________ coffee. (am not drinking / don’t drink)

11. I __________ television in the morning. (am never watching / never watch)

12. Please be quiet I __________ to the radio. (am listening / listen)

13. I __________ tennis today. (am not playing / don’t play)

14. It rarely __________ very hot in Britain. (is getting / gets)

15. It __________ colder and colder every day.(is getting / gets)

16. __________ sunglasses in the winter? (Are you wearing / Do you wear)

17. I am sorry I _________. (am not understanding / don’t understand)

13. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct present form.

1. I __________ (write) to tell you my news.

2. We __________ (go) on holiday twice a year.

3. He __________ (think) himself very clever.

4. I (think) __________ about buying a new car soon.

5. He __________ (take) the train to work every morning.

6. I really __________ (enjoy) home-made food. — So do I, and I __________ (enjoy) every bit of this meal.

7. Will they be ready tomorrow? — Yes, I __________ (believe) so.

8. I __________ (write) a report for tomorrow’s meeting.

9. The train from Sydney __________ (arrive) at 8:30.

10. You __________ (constantly / interrupt) me when I’m talking.

11. What __________ (you / look) at? — The sky. It __________ (look) as if it’s going to rain.

12. I am sorry I _________ (not understand).

13. __________ (you / consider) it wise to interfere?

14. I __________ (consider) changing my job.

SPEAKING PRACTICE

14. Let us speak about the size of a modern family. Years ago it was important to have large families. The best mother was the mother who had the most children. The proudest father was the father who had the most sons. It was important to have many children so that the family remained strong. Nowadays, things are quite different. In Britain, families have been getting smaller and smaller. People have fewer children because children are expensive and they take up room.

1. Are families getting smaller in this country too?

2. Do you agree that the reasons for having fewer children are those you have read above? If not, what are they?

3. What is the ideal size for a family?

15. Give a talk on family and family values. Remember to discuss:

• what family values are most important for a happy family, why

• whether it is important to have a good family, why

• your family members and your relationship

• what household duties your family members have