INGLES

INTERMEDIATE I UNIT 1: PRESENT AND PAST LESSON 2: You are running!

 

 

FORM

The present continuous of any verb is composed of two parts - the present tense of the verb to be + the present participle of the main verb.

USE
1. We use the present continuous tense to talk about the present:

• for something that is happening at the moment of speaking:

I’m just leaving work. I’ll be home in an hour.
Please be quiet. The children are sleeping.

 

• for something which is happening before and after a given time:

At eight o’clock we are usually having breakfast.
When I get home the children are doing their homework.

 

• for something which we think is temporary:

Michael is at university. He’s studying history.
I’m working in London for the next two weeks.

 

• for something which is new and contrasts with a previous state:

These days most people are using email instead of writing letters.
What sort of clothes are teenagers wearing nowadays? What sort of music are they listening to?

 

• to show that something is changing, growing or developing:

The children are growing quickly.
The climate is changing rapidly.
Your English is improving.

 

• for something which happens again and again:

It’s always raining in London.
They are always arguing.
George is great. He’s always laughing.

Note: We normally use always with this use.

2. We use the present continuous tense to talk about the future:

 

• for something which has been arranged or planned:

Mary is going to a new school next term.
What are you doing next week?

 

3. We can use the present continuous to talk about the past:

• When we are telling a story:
• When we are summarising the story from a book, film or play etc.:

"It's time to take notes"

 

SPELLING

Be careful with some words when adding -ing to the infinitive.

We make the present continuous tense by adding -ing to the base verb. Normally it's simple - we just add -ing. But sometimes we have to change the word a little. Perhaps we double the last letter, or we drop a letter. Here are the rules to help you know how to spell the present continuous tense.

Exception 4	Change “c” to “ck”.
	Picnic	>	picnicking

 

 

The verbs in the link below are normally used in the simple form, because they refer to states, rather than actions or processes.

 

QUESTION: According to the picture, What is the best sentence?