LESSON B (2) GRAMMAR 1
Present Continuous Tense
The continuous aspect
Use the continuous aspect to talk about:
- an action which is in progress.
Answer the door! I'm watching something.
- an unfinished action.
She was working on a new novel when she died.
- a temporary action.
I'm using Jo's laptop while mine is being repaired.
- a trend, changing action or situation.
Scientists say the weather is getting hotter.
Compare the present simple an continuous:
I live in a small flat. (permanent situation)
I'm living with a host family for six weeks. (temporary situation)
We can also use the present continuous for repeated actions which are happening around now.
I'm watching the new series of The Sopranos. It's fantastic. (I watch it every Thursday evening.)
We often use the past continuous and past simple to talk about a longer background action in the past when a shorter action happens during it or interrupts it.
I was washing the car when the phone rang.
We can also use the present continuous to describe future arrangements.
We're collecting our new car at the weekend.
State verbs
Some verbs describe something passive or state.
Examples of these verbs are: agree, believe, belong, depend, hate, hear, know, like, love, prefer, see, understand, want.
We rarely use the state verbs in the continuous:
I don't understand this word.
Example situation
Sarah is in her car. She is on her way to work. She is driving to work
This means: she is driving now, at the time of speaking. The action is not finished
It is formed with the help of the verb “to be+ verb+ ing”
I am (=I’m) driving
He/she/it is (=he’s etc.) working
We /you/they are(=we’re etc.) doing