8. The present continuous tense

№

person/number

affirmative

question

negative

1

I

I am going.

Am I going?

I am not going.

We

You

They

They are going.

Are you going?

We aren’t going.

2

He

She

It

He is going.

Is she going?

She isn’t going.

We use PRESENT CONTINUOUS

use

examples

comments

1

to speak about unfinished actions

going on just at the moment of speaking.

He is watching TV now.

with adverbs of time: now, at the moment,

at present, still

that have begun before the present moment and are still unfinished now

He is writing a new book.

2

to describe changing or developing situations

The population of the world is growing very fast.

Is his English getting better?

3

to emphasize temporary character of an action

Usually I get up at 7, but

this week I’m getting up at 6

with adverbs like: today, these days, this week

4

to express annoyance or criticism about frequently repeated actions

I am always losing things.

You are constantly grumbling

in affirmatives with always or constantly

Вечно я все теряю.

Вечно ты ворчишь.

5

to speak about an action in the process of which another (habitual) action takes place

He often watches TV when he is eating.

Present Continuous

for the action in progress

Present Simple

for a habitual action

6

to speak about personal plans and fixed arrangements

for the near future

We are meeting at 7 tonight.

There must always be an adverb of time