We form the present continuous: am/are/is + verb ‘ing’
I am eating.
You are eating.
He/She/It is eating.
We are eating.
They are eating.
Positive: I am thinking about you,
Negative: I am NOT thinking about you.
Question: Are you thinking about me?
#1 an action that is happening now
You are reading this sentence.
I am thinking about English.
Everyone in this cafe is using a laptop.
This action can also be in this general period, not just this exact moment:
I’m looking for a new job.
(In this general period. NOW you are speaking to your friend.)
We are trying a new Indian food recipe every night.
(In this general period. NOW we are talking to a friend.)
#2 a temporary situation
It’s important to remember that we use the ‘present continuous’ for a temporary situation. We use the ‘present simple’ for a permanent situation or a repeated action.
present cont.
I’m trying to lose weight before summer.
(This is a temporary situation. I have two months to look good.)
present simple
I try to lose weight before summer.
(I do this every summer.)
present cont.
I am writing a book.
(This is a temporary situation. The book will be finished soon.)
present simple
I write books.
(This is regular action. I am a professional writer.)
present cont.
We are using a new software at work.
(This is a temporary situation.)
present simple
We use a new software at work.
(This is not correct because if you use something regularly, it is not ‘new’.)
#3 a future plan
We use the present continuous when a future plan has been completely organised.
☑ date
☑ time
☑ location
☑ details
My boyfriend and I are meeting some friends at the cinema tomorrow. We are seeing the new Marvel film.
(Everything has been organised.)
We don’t use stative verbs in continuous tenses.
Stative verbs are ‘non-action’ verbs. They express our feelings and emotions. For example: think, believe, remember, love.
I want to know more about STATIVE VERBS
☑ like this food a lot.
I am liking this food a lot.
☑Yes I remember your name.
Yes I am remembering your name.
Thank you so much for reading! Please leave a comment!
Your teacher,
Arnel
