The uses of the present continuous tense

1. Actions happening at the time of speaking

The present continuous is used to talk about actions happening at the time of
speaking.
Examples:
 Jane is in her bedroom. She is doing her homework.
2. Temporary situations
The present continuous is used to describe temporary situations that are
taking place around the time of speaking.

 She works for a web design agency. She's working on a new website.
" Jane's living with her mother until she buys a house.
"Living with her mother " is a temporary situation.
3. Actions in progress or involving change
The present continuous can be also used when an action is in progress or
involves some sort of change. The action may not be necessarily happening at
the time of speaking
Example:
 I am reading a book; it’s a nice book. (I am not necessarily reading it at the present
moment. But I started reading it and I haven’t finished it yet.)
4. Future plans
The present continuous can also be used to describe future plans, things that
are already discussed, or planned ahead.
Examples:
 Nadia is starting a new job on Monday.
Time expressions used with the present continuous
These are examples of the time expressions (also called signal words) that are used
with the present continuous:
Now, right now, at the moment, currently, today, this week, this month, this
year, these days, etc.
Exercises:
Put the verbs below in the present continuous form
Play speak come do run snow fly dry write make get go stop
describe the following pictures uning Present Continous
Make the present continuous.
1. (they / not / visit their parents) ……………………………………………..
2. (he / meet his friend tonight) ………………………………………..
3. (he / not / walk to school now) ………………………………………..
4. (we / not / watch TV at the moment) ………………………………………..
5. (you / not / read a book) ………………………………………..
6. (I / visit Linda tonight) ………………………………………..
7. (she / not / eat dinner now) ………………………………………..
8. (Lucy / not / work in a bookshop this summer) ……………………………………….
Make present continuous questions (yes / no and 'wh-').
1. (what time / you / go to the cinema?) ………………………………………..
2. (why / you / study?) ………………………………………..
3. (when / you / leave?) ………………………………………..
4. (you / smoke?) ………………………………………..
5. (he / play / tennis later?) ………………………………………..
6. (you / go / shopping at the weekend?) ………………………………………..
7. (you / drink / wine) ………………………………………..