Present Continuous Tense
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I am singing
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A.1.1 How do we make the Present ContinousTense?
We often use the present continuous tense in English. It is very different
from the simple present tense, both in structure and in use.
In this lesson we look at the structure and use of the present continuous
tense, followed by a quiz to check your understanding:
The structure of the present continuous tense is:
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subject
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+
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auxiliary verb
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+
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main verb
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be
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base + ing
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Look at these examples:
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subject
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auxiliary verb
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main verb
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+
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I
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am
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speaking
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to you.
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+
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You
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are
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reading
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this.
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-
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She
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is
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not
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staying
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in London.
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-
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We
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are
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not
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playing
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football.
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?
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Is
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he
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watching
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TV?
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?
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Are
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they
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waiting
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for John?
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We use the present continuous tense to talk about:
- action happening now
- action in the future
A.2.2 Present
Continuous tense for action happening now
a) for action happening exactly now
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I am eating my lunch.
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past
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Present
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future
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The action is
happening now.
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Look at these examples. Right now you are looking at this screen and at the
same time...
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 |
 |
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...the pages are
turning.
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...the candle is
burning.
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...the numbers are
spinning.
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b) for action happening around now
The action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just
before and just after now, and it is not permanent or habitual.
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John is going out
with Mary.
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past
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present
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future
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The action is
happening around now.
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Look at these examples:
- Muriel is learning to drive.
- I am living with my sister until I find an apartment.
