2.3. Present Continuous.

Rule

We form the present continuous with the auxiliary verb to be and the main verb with the –ing suffix.

Affirmative		Negative		Interrogative
Long form	Short form	Long form	Short form	Am I writing? Are you writing? Is he writing? Is she writing? Is it writing? Are we writing? Are you writing? Are they writing?
I am writing You are writing He is writing She is writing It is writing We are writing You are writing They are writing	I’m writing You’re writing He’s writing She’s writing It’s writing We’re writing You’re writing They’re writing	I am not writing You are not writing He is not writing She is not writing It is not writing We aren’t writing You aren’t writing They aren’t writing	I’m not writing You aren’t writing He isn’t writing She isn’t writing It isn’t writing We aren’t writing You aren’t writing They aren’t writing

Rule

• Verbs ending in –e drop the –e and take the –ing.

E.g. make-making

• Verbs ending in one stressed vowel between two consonants, double the last consonant and take the –ing.

E.g. sit-sitting, swim-swimming

• Verbs ending in –l, double the l and take the –ing

E.g. travel-travelling

• Verbs ending in –ie, drop the –ie and take –y+-ing.

E.g. lie-lying, die-dying

Rule	Time expressions Now, at the moment, at present These days, nowadays, still Today, tonight
The Present Continuous is used for:
Actions in process at the moment of speaking. E.g. You are reading now.
Actions happening around the moment of speaking. E.g. She is working for a company.
Temporary actions. E.g. This time we are staying at this hotel.
Future planned action. E.g. We are going to the cinema tonight.

1. Fill in with Present Continuous.

1. He ………….. is sitting ………… (sit) at the desk.

2. They ………………………… (play) football.

3. She ………………………… (eat) dinner.

4. You ………………………… (read) a book.

5. The dog ………………………… (sleep).

6. Ann ………………………… (swim).

7. I ………………………… (watch) TV.

8. Tony ………………………… (write) a letter.

9. The birds ………………………… (sing).

10. Mum ………………………… (make) a cake.

2. Write questions and negations.

1. He is riding a bicycle.

………Is he riding a bicycle?...............

………He isn’t riding a bicycle……….

2. They are listening to the radio.

…………………………………………

…………………………………………

3. She is drinking Coke.

…………………………………………

…………………………………………

4. You are dancing.

…………………………………………

…………………………………………

5. We are playing football.

…………………………………………

…………………………………………

6. I am running.

…………………………………………

………………………………………...

3. Ask and answer the questions.

1. answer the phone / have a bath

…. Can you answer the phone?....

….No, I’m sorry. I’m having a bath….

2. open the door / wash dishes

……………………………………….

……………………………………….

3. help in the garden / do my homework

…………………………………………

…………………………………………

4. come to the phone / have a lesson

……………………………………….

……………………………………….

5. tidy your room / write a letter

……………………………………….

……………………………………….

4. Put the words in the correct order to make the sentences.

1. coming / the tram / is? Is the train coming?

2. why / is / barking / the dog?

………………………………………………………………………………. .

3. talking / phone / not / is / he / the / on.

………………………………………………………………………………. .

4. suitcases / are / packing / they / their

………………………………………………………………………………. .

5. not / watching / she / is / TV.

………………………………………………………………………………. .

6. where / your / staying / are / friends?

………………………………………………………………………………. .

7. learning / am / at the moment / play / I / to /golf

………………………………………………………………………………. .

8. you / going / shops / are / to / the?

………………………………………………………………………………. .

5. Correct the mistakes.

1. We looking for a new flat

2. I am play tennis now.

3. George and Mary is watching TV.

4. What are you do?

5. You isn't listening to the teacher.

6. He reading a magazine.

6. Match the questions with the answers.

1. Why is she singing? …..c ….

2. What are you writing? ………..

3. Where is he staying? ………..

4. What are they watching? ………

5. Who is he talking to? ……….

6. Are you leaving now? ………..

a At the Windsor Hotel.

b Yes, I am.

c Because she's happy.

d A horror film.

e Mr Brown.

f A letter.

7. Complete the sentences with Present Continuous and one of these words.

build come have play cook stand swim

1. Listen! Pat …….. is playing …….the piano.

2. They ………………………… a new hotel in the city centre at the moment.

3. Look! Somebody ………………………… in the river.

4. “You ………………………… on my foot”. “Oh, I'm sorry.”

5. Hurry up! The bus ………………………… .

6. “Where are you, George?” “In the kitchen. I ………………………… a meal.”

7. (on the telephone) “Hello. Can I speak to Ann, please?” “She ………………………… a shower at the moment. Can you phone again later?”

8. What's happening at the moment? Write true sentences.

1. (I / wash / my hair)

….I’m not washing my hair. ……

2. (it / snow)

……………………………………………………………….… .

3. (I / sit / on a chair)

…………………………………………………………………. .

4. (I / eat)

…………………………………………………………………. .

5. (it / rain)

…………………………………………………………………. .

6. (I / learn / English)

…………………………………………………………………. .

7. ( I / listen / to the radio)

…………………………………………………………………. . 8. (the sun / shine)

…………………………………………………………………. .

9. ( I / wear/ shoes)

…………………………………………………………………. .

10. (I / smoke / a cigarette)

…………………………………………………………………. .

11. (I / read / a newspaper)

…………………………………………………………………. .

9. Ask the questions and write the answers.

A Yes, to my sister.

B No, you can turn it off.

C No, they're asleep.

D No, it's broken.

E No, not at the moment.

F He’s having a bath.

G Because I'm late.

H I'm cooking my dinner.

1. (you / watch / TV?) Are you watching TV?	B No, you can turn it off.
2. (the children / play?)
3. (what / you / do?)
4. (what / Rod / do?)
5. (it / rain?)
6. (that clock / work?)
7. (you / write / a letter?)
8. (why / you / run?)