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

2. 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.

3. 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?

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.)

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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