DISCUSSION FORUM

UNIT 3: On the Phone (5th Meeting)

Hey, all! Thank you for participating in our online class. In this meeting, we are going to learn
the Present Continuous tense.

You have learned how and when to use the Present Simple tense in the previous meetings. In
the upcoming meeting, we are going to talk about the Present Continuous tense. Please do the
following instructions:
1. Complete the sentences below by choosing one of the words in the brackets:
We use the present ………. (continues/simple) to mainly talk about things that are
happening right now. On the other hand, we use the present............(continues/simple)
to talk about things that happen regularly.

2. Adverbs of frequency (e.g. usually, always, often, seldom, never, every day) are
signal words for the Present Simple tense. Then what are the signal words for the
Present Continuous?

3. What is the formula of the Present Continuous tense?

4. Put the verbs in the correct form of tenses.

Example:

a. Christine is now enjoying (now, enjoy) the trip. She always enjoys (always,
enjoy) her trips to Osaka.

b. A: Can I speak to Ms. Sinlare? I..............(call) about the new course.

B: No, sorry, he ………. (talk) to another student right now. Can you call back
later?

c. A: What...............(you, work) on at the moment?

B: I..............(still, work) on my presentation.

d. A: Listen!..............(ring, your phone)?

B: Yes. I ………. (expect) a call from my parents. They..............(always, call) me
every Sunday.

e. Greg ………. (usually, work) in London, but.............(this month, work) in Osaka.

5. Sentence 4e implies that the Present Continuous tense can also be used in another
situation other than to mention occurring actions. In what other situations can we use
the Present Continuous tense?