Present Continuous
am/is/are + present participle, eg Verb + ing
Current action
Peter is sleeping at the moment.
An activity that is happening during a specific time period.
She is studying English at University this year.
Temporary action.
I am working in a restaurant during the school holidays.
To express the near future
I am meeting some friends after school.
Repeating irritating situation
She is always late for work.
1. Current action
To explain something that is happening at the time of speaking.
- Peter is sleeping at the moment.
-
- They are watching television.
-
2. An activity that is happening during a specific time period.
To explain that a situation or activity is true, but does not have to be happening at the time of speaking.
- She is studying English at University this year.
-
- I am reading a book by William Shakespeare.
-
3. Temporary action.
The present continuous can be used to express a temporary action or activity that is happening during a current time period.
- I am working in a restaurant during the school holidays.
-
- She is livingwith her grandmother while they paint her house.
-
4. To express the near future
The present continuous can be used to express that something will or will not happen in the near future.
- I am meeting some friends after school.
-
- I am not going to work tomorrow.
-
- They are going on holiday this week.
-
5. Repeating irritating situation
The present continuous can be used with word like "always" "constantly" to express a repeating irritating situation.
- She is always late for work.
-
- He is constantly talking. He annoyes everyone.
-
- I don’t like her because she is always complaining.
-
6. Active / Passive voice
- Right now, David is painting the wall. Active
-
- Right now, the wall is being painted by David. Passive
-
Tests: