Grammar Unit Present Continuous

PRESENT CONTINUOUS for activities happening now.

• We use it for actions that are happening now or around the time of speaking.

           Ex: My brothers are watching a video at the moment

                 It´s raining now

• It is formed with the present simple of be + verb + ing

          Ex: I´m enjoying this book

               You aren´t working very hard

               Alison isn´t listening to the radio

• The question is formed with the present simple of be + subject + verb + ing

          Ex: Is Carlos reading? Yes, he is/ No he isn´t

               Are the girls having lunch? Yes, they are/ No, they aren´t

PRESENT SIMPLE VS. PRESENT CONTINUOUS

• Time expressions for repeated actions are often used with the present simple.

          Time expressions for present or temporary actions are often used with the present continuous.

       
          Present Simple: every day, on Mondays, at the weekend, usually, sometimes, often, never.

          Present Continuous: today, tonight, this afternoon, this weekend, right now, at the moment.

• Some verbs aren´t normally used in the continuous form. Here are some common examples:

          believe, know, understand, remember, want, need, mean, like, hate.

          Ex: I remember you

               We need some milk

               David loves pasta

• Remember to use the following verbs in the present continuous, not the present simple, when the action is happening now:

          Phone, call, write, listen, speak, do

          Ex: hi, I´m phoning to book a ticket for the concert.