The Present Continuous Tense Meaning and Use Notes Grammar Sense 2, pp. 32-33, 36-37 The Present Continuous Tense

The Form of the Present Continuous Affirmative Statements Negative Statements I am working today. I’m not working today. You are working today. You aren’t working today./You’re not working today. He is working today. He isn’t working today./He’s not working today. She is working today. She isn’t working today./She’s not working today. It is working today. It isn’t working today./It’s not working today. We are working today. We aren’t working today./We’re not working today. They are working today. They aren’t working today./They’re not working today.

The Form of the Present Continuous Yes/No Questions and Short Answers Are you working now? Yes, I am./No, I’m not. Is it working now? Yes, it is./No, it isn’t. Are they working now? Yes, they are./No, they aren’t. Information Questions How am I doing? Who are you calling? What is he studying? Where are they working? Who is laughing? What is happening?

Activities in progress 1a: Use the present continuous to talk about an activity that is happening at the moment of speaking. You can use time expressions such as now, right now, and at this moment. Activities in Progress at this exact moment Look! It’s snowing! She’s making dinner now. Steve can’t come to the phone right now. He’s taking a bath.

Activities in progress cont’d 1b: Use the present continuous for activities that are in progress, but not happening at the exact moment the speaker is talking. You can use time expressions such as this week, this month, this year, and these days to show when the action is happening. Activities in Progress, but not happening at this exact moment I’m looking for a cheap car. Do you have any ideas? I’m painting my house this week. It’s taking a long time.

Activities in progress cont’d 1c: Use the present continuous for changing situations. Changing situations My grades are improving this semester. Computers are getting cheaper all the time.

Stative Verbs and the present continuous 2a: Stative verbs are usually used in the simple present. Many are not usually used in the present continuous. Some stative verbs are know, mean, own, seem, and understand. Simple Present Present Continuous Do you know the answer? X Are you knowing the answer? What does solar system mean? X What is solar system meaning? We don’t own a car. X We’re not owning a car.

Stative Verbs and the present continuous 2b: Some stative verbs can be used in the present continuous, but they are used as action verbs and have a different meaning from their simple present meaning. Some of these verbs are have, look, see, taste, think, and weigh. Simple Present They have a large house. (They own a house.) Mark looks very unhappy. (Mark seems unhappy.) I see Lisa. She’s behind Bob. (I’m looking at Lisa.) The soup tastes salty. (The soup has a salty taste.) I think that’s a great idea. (I believe that’s a great idea.) The package weighs two pounds. (Its weight is two pounds.) Present Continuous Tense They’re having a good time. (They’re experiencing a good time.) Mark is looking for his car keys. (Mark is searching for his car keys.) I’m seeing a physical therapist for my back pain. (I’m going to a physical therapist.) The chef is tasting the soup. (The chef is trying the soup.) I’m thinking about Lisa. I’m worried about her. (Lisa is in my thoughts right now.) The postal worker is weighing the package. (The postal worker is using the scale.)

Stative Verbs and the present continuous 2c: Stative verbs that refer to physical conditions can occur in the simple present or present continuous with no difference in meaning. Some of these verbs are ache, feel, and hurt. Simple Present Present Continuous My head aches. My head is aching. I don’t feel well. I’m not feeling well. My throat hurts. My throat is hurting.

Common stative verbs (Appendix 7) Emotions and Attitudes Senses and Sensations Knowledge and Beliefs admire ache agree suppose appreciate burn believe think care feel consider understand desire hear disagree despise hurt expect dislike itch feel (= think) doubt notice find envy see forget fear smell guess hate sound hope like sting imagine love taste know mind mean need notice prefer realize regret recognize respect remember want suppose

Common stative verbs (Appendix 7) Descriptions and Measurements Possession and Relationships appear belong be consist of cost contain equal depend on look (like) have measure include resemble own seem possess sound (like) taste weigh