Grammar 3 - Present Continuous

Present Continuous

The present continuous tense is used to express activities that started at one point, and are continuing now with no end. While we are expressing the activity, it is still in process

​I am singing

Uses

We use present continuous in the following situations:

1. To talk about actions happening or in process at the moment of speaking

2. To talk about changing situations

3. To talk about temporary situations

4. To define future plans

To talk about actions happening or in process at the time of speaking

• I am watching TV

• I am reading this slideshow

• I am writing notes

• She is waiting for her friend at the bus stop.

​Underline each time you see:

To talk about changing situations

Example: One watermelon costed $15 yesterday. Today it costs $20. Tomorrow it might cost $30!
We can write about the changing situation of the cost of watermelon using present continuous tense.

• ​The price of watermelon is rapidly changing

​Label:

To talk about a temporary situation

In present simple tense, we can express a permanent situation. This is the opposite.

​In present simple we might express: I own a house

But in present continuous we express: I am buying a house

​One we have bought the house, we will no longer be in the process of 'buying' a house, so it is a temporary situation

​Label the present simple form, and the present continuous form to prove what tense they are in.

​​I am living in Canada right now -> this expresses the possibility that it might change.

​She is studying for her test -> she is studying for the test now, but if she takes the test tomorrow, she will no longer need to study.

​Make sure to label!

​Now, currently, at the moment, this week/month/year

​Currently I am studying English in Canada

​She is now moving to China

​This week the price of watermelon is rapidly growing

​Label!