Present Continuous

Function: the present continuous

1. We use the present continuous to describe actions happening
now, in this moment.
Hello! What are you doing?
Where is Jayne? She’s cooking dinner in
the kitchen. I’m doing
my homework. And you?
No, I’m not. I’m not studying.
I’m watching TV.

2. We do not use the present continuous with verbs that do not

describe actions. For example, feelings, emotions, descriptions.
We use the present simple.
The verb want is a I really want an ice cream
This feeling is in this desire or feeling, so
moment, but it is not right now!
we use the present
an action. simple.
How do we make
sentences?
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education      Gold Experience 2nd Edition A1
Form: the present continuous
positive
She’s cooking dinner.
I ’m (am)
He/She/It ’s (is) verb -ing
We/You/They ’re (are)

negative
I’m not studying.
I ’m not (am not)
He/She/It isn’t (is not) verb -ing
We/You/They aren’t (are not)

What are you doing? short answers No, I’m not.

question
Are you doing your I am/’m not
am I
(question homework? Yes/No, he/she/it is/’isn’t
is he/she/it
word) verb -ing we/you/they are/aren’t
are we/you/they
 Things to think about…
…spelling changes with the verb -ing form. The spelling of the -ing form of the
verb can change depending on
the stem of the verb. The stem is
Here are some examples. the part of the verb you find in the Look at the
dance – dancing, eat – eating, hit – hitting dictionary, e.g. swimming – the rule changes
Notice how there are small changes in spelling. stem is swim. below…

verbs ending in one vowel

most verbs verbs ending in -e verbs ending in -ie
and then one consonant

Add -ing. Remove -e and add -ing. Change -ie to -y. Double the final
consonant.
e.g. eat eating e.g. dance dancing e.g. lie lying
e.g. swim swimming
The -e has vowel
The -ie is now Double
been removed
a -y. consonant!
here! consonant

Let’s practise!
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education      Gold Experience 2nd Edition A1