Present Continuous
The Present Progressive is used when we talk about something which is happening
now. It is also called Present Continuous.
1. actions happening at the moment of speaking (now, at the moment)
Peter is reading a book now
She's listening to the radio.
2. fixed plans in the near future
She is going to Basel on Saturday.
3. temporary actions
His father is working in Rome this month.
4. actions happening around the moment of speaking (longer actions)
My friend is preparing for his exams.
Signal words
now
at the moment
Look!
Listen!
Affirmative sentences in the Present Progressive
Long forms Contracted forms
I am playing football. I'm playing football.
You are playing football. You're playing football.
He is playing football. He's playing football.
Negative sentences in the Present Progressive
Long forms Contracted forms
I am not playing football. I'm not playing football.
You're not playing football.
You are not playing football.
You aren't playing football.
He's not playing football.
He is not playing football.
He isn't playing football.
Questions in the Present Progressive
Long forms Contracted forms
Am I playing football?
Are you playing football? not possible
Is he playing football?
Assignment
Put the verbs into present progressive.
The dog (to attack) _ is attacking_ the cat.
I (to draw) _ am drawing_ a picture.
My mother (to wave) _ is waving_ at me.
They (to choose) _ are choosing_ a cheap airline.
Listen! Tom (to make) _ is making_ a phone call.
Long and Short Forms
Rewrite the sentences using the short forms (where long forms are given) or the
long forms (where short forms are given).
He is eating. - __ He's eating.__
I am driving. - _ I'm driving.__
We are not riding. - __ We aren't riding.__
You're telling great jokes. - _ You are telling great jokes.__
She's not hurrying. - _ She isn't hurrying._
Negative Sentences
Rewrite the sentences using the negative forms.
She's selling fruit. - _ She isn't selling fruit. __
We are travelling in an old van. - _ We aren't travelling in an old van.__
I'm getting ready for school. - _ I am not getting ready for school.__
The thieves are robbing the bank. - _ The thieves aren't robbing the bank.__
My father is smoking a cigarette. - __ My father isn't smoking a cigarette.__
Questions with Question Words
Ask for the information given in bold print.
Matthew is making a mistake. - _ What is Matthew making?___
Linda is knocking at the door. - _ What is Linda doing?___
They are flying to Rome. - _ Where are they flying?___
I'm making the new tree house at the moment. - _ What are you making at the
moment?_
She is driving the Porsche carefully. - _ How is she driving the Porsche?___
Signal Words
Which of the following words can be a signal word for an arranged action taking
place in the near future.
every Monday next Monday last Monday
Which of the following words is a signal word for an action taking place in the
moment of speaking?
now next week often
Which of the following words is not a signal word for an action taking place in the
moment of speaking?
at the moment Listen! never
Which of the following words cannot be a signal word for an arranged action taking
place in the near future?
tomorrow last night this evening
Which of the following words is a signal word for an action taking place in the
moment of speaking?
Look! two days ago every Friday
