Now

Near future

Longer actions
in progress

Repetition and
irritation with
always

USE 1 Now
Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that
something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to
show that something is not happening now.
Examples:
You are learning English now.
You are not swimming now.
Are you sleeping?
I am sitting.
I am not standing.
Is he sitting or standing?
They are reading their books.
They are not watching television.
What are you doing?
Why aren't you doing your homework?

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this
century, and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that
we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however,
we might not be doing it at this exact second.
Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a
restaurant.)

 I am studying to become a doctor.

I am not studying to become a dentist.
I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
I am not reading any books right now.
Are you working on any special projects at work?
Aren't you teaching at the university now?

USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something
will or will not happen in the near future.
Examples:
I am meeting some friends after work.
I am not going to the party tonight.
Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
Isn't he coming with us tonight?

USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly"
expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happens.
Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present, but with negative emotion.
Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and
"verb + ing."
Examples:

 She is always coming to class late.

He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
I don't like them because they are always complaining.
_____________________________________________________________________________
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Right now, Tom is writing the letter. Active
Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. Passive

Verb Tense Exercise 1

Simple Present / Present Continuous
1. Every Monday, Sally (drive) ________________ her kids to football
practice.
2. Usually, I (work) _____________as a secretary at ABT, but this
summer I (study) ___________________ French at a language school
in Paris. That is why I am in Paris.
3. Shhhhh! Be quiet! John (sleep) ______________________.
4. Don't forget to take your umbrella. It (rain)
_______________________.

5. I hate living in Seattle because it (rain, always)

_________________________.
6. I'm sorry I can't hear what you (say___________________________
because everybody (talk) is talking so loudly.
7. Justin (write, currently) _______________________________________ a
book about his adventures in Tibet. I hope he can find a good
publisher when he is finished.
8. Jim: Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?
Denise: Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. I (go) ________________________ to a
movie tonight with some friends.
9. The business cards (be, normally ) _____________________ printed
by a company in New York. Their prices (be) ______________
inexpensive, yet the quality of their work is quite good.
10. This delicious chocolate (be) ___________ made by a small
chocolatier in Zurich, Switzerland.

Verb Tense Exercise 2

Simple Present / Present Continuous
A Trekking Journal
November 12, 1997
Today (be) _______ the second day of my trek around Mount
Annapurna. I am exhausted and my legs (shake)
______________________ ; I just hope I am able to complete the trek.
My feet (kill, really) _______________________ me and my toes

(bleed__________________, but I (want, still)

__________________________ to continue.
Nepal is a fascinating country, but I have a great deal to learn.
Everything (be) ________________ so different, and I (try)
________________________ to adapt to the new way of life here. I
(learn) _______________________________ a little bit of the language
to make communication easier; unfortunately, I (learn, not)
__________________________ foreign languages quickly. Although I
(understand, not) _________________________ much yet, I believe
that I (improve, gradually) ____________________________________.
I (travel, currently) ______________________________ with Liam, a
student from Leeds University in England. He (be) ________ a nice
guy, but impatient. He (walk, always) _________________________
ahead of me and (complain) ________________________ that I am too
slow. I (do) ________________________ my best to keep up with him,
but he is younger and stronger than I am. Maybe, I am just feeling
sorry for myself because I am getting old.
Right now, Liam (sit) _________________________ with the owner of
the inn. They (discuss) _______________________ the differences
between life in England and life in Nepal. I (know, not)
_____________________________ the real name of the owner, but
everybody (call, just) ______________________________ him Tam. Tam
(speak) __________________ English very well and he (try)
_______________________ to teach Liam some words in Nepali. Every
time Tam (say_______________ a new word, Liam (try)
____________________ to repeat it. Unfortunately, Liam (seem, also)
______________________________ to have difficulty learning foreign
languages. I just hope we don't get lost and have to ask for
directions.