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Universidade Católica de Moçambique

Instituto de Educação à Distância

The Present Continuous Tense

Milca João Jorge – 708233908

Curso: Lic. Ensino de Língua Portuguesa

Disciplina: English
Ano de frequência: 1o Ano

Maputo, Setembro de 2023

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Recomendações
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Contends
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 5
2. Development ..................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1.The Present Continuous Tense ...................................................................................................... 6
2.2.The four uses of the Present Continuous Tense ........................................................................... 6
2.2.1. We use the present continuous .................................................................................................. 6
2.3.The Structure of the Sentence in Present Continuous Tense ....................................................... 7
2.4.Conjugation of the verb to play in Present Continuous Tense .................................................... 7
2.4.1. Affirmative ................................................................................................................................. 7
2.4.2. Negative ...................................................................................................................................... 7
2.4.3. Interrogative ................................................................................................................................ 8
2.5.Short answers .................................................................................................................................. 8
3. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 9
4. Considerations ................................................................................................................................ 10
5. Bibliography ................................................................................................................................... 11
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1. Introduction
The present work is about the Present Continuous or Present Progressive Tense in English Lan-
guage and in this research work we are going to provide essential information related to this top-
ic: When we use the present continuous, Examples of Present Continuous Tense, The 4 uses of
Present Continuous Tense, How do we use Present Continuous Tense in a sentence in Positive
and Negative Forms. We are going to conjugate the verb to play in Present Continuous Tense, in
Affirmative, Negative and Interrogative.
In details we are going to explain in which moment we use Present Continuous Tense as well as
provide many examples of the sentences.
The aims of this work is to permit that all readers of these papers understand and get knowledge
concerning to this Academic topic as well as to allow that the readers recognize and differentiate
the structure of the sentences in present continuous tense.
The work is divided into three parts. The first one is introduction; the second part is the body of
the work and finally the conclusion and references.
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2. Development
2.1.The Present Continuous Tense
We use the present continuous tense to talk about actions that are happening now or at the mo-
ment we are talking, as well as to talk about actions in progress or plans about the future. We
form the present continuous with verb to be (am, is, are) + verb-ing.

Examples of Present Continuous Tense

• I´m writing an e-mail.
• They are going to meet each other right now!
• The bus is coming.
• He always is making noise here.
• The students are walking in the village.

2.2.The four uses of the Present Continuous Tense

2.2.1. We use the present continuous:
1. To talk about things that are happening now, at the moment we speak.
A: What are you doing?
B: I´m reading a book.
We´re leaving now. Goodbye.
The bus is coming.

2. To talk about things that are happening now, but not exactly at the moment we speak.
My mother is looking for a job at the moment.
You are spending a lot of money these days.

3. To talk about something we have already approved or planned to do in the future.

We often give the future time (tomorrow, in September, on Friday, this afternoon, next week,
etc…)
A: What are you doing on Saturday morning?
B: I´m meeting a friend.
We´re visiting our uncle next weekend.
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My brother is starting a new job next Monday.

4. To talk about repeated actions

She is always judging the people.
They are all the time pushing my leg.

2.3.The Structure of the Sentence in Present Continuous Tense

Positive: Subject + am/is/are +verb-ing +object

Negative: Subject + am/is/are +not+ verb-ing + object
Question: Am/Is/Are+ Subject+ verb-ing + object?

Sentence in Positive Form: I’m drinking coffee and She’s cooking rice.
Sentence in Negative Form: Mr. Sumbane is not drinking coffee.

2.4.Conjugation of the verb to play in Present Continuous Tense

2.4.1. Affirmative

I am playing football
You are playing football
He is playing football
She is playing football
It is playing football
We are playing football
You are playing football
They are playing football

2.4.2. Negative

I am not playing football

You are not playing football
He is not playing football
She is not playing football
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It is not playing football

We are not playing football
You are not playing football
They are not playing football

2.4.3. Interrogative

Am I playing football?
Are You playing football?
Is He playing football?
Is She playing football?
Is It playing football?
Are We playing football?
Are You playing football?
Are They playing football?

2.5.Short answers

Yes. I am
Yes. he/she/it is
Yes. you/we/they are
No. I’m not
No. he/she/it isn´t

NOTE: Some verbs are not used in the Present Continuous (like, know, love, hate, and under-
stand). They are normally used in the Present simple forms .
Some of the most important ones are:
•I am liking tennis. - I like tennis.
•Are you knowing Maria? - Do you know Maria?
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3. Conclusion
The present continuous tense also called present progressive is a verb tense which is used to
show that an action is happening now, either at the moment of the speech. The present continu-
ous can also be used to show that an action is going to take place in the near future.
The use of the present continuous tense varies according to what the action express, actions in
progress or plans about the future.
Some examples of the sentences in the present continuous
The man is driving the bus while I am crossing the street.
They are getting vaccines to prevent covid.
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4. Considerations
The present research of the field is an opportunity to learn more by myself, once it allowed me to
investigate and read as well as interact with others in order to get more experience in English
language.
English is an intentional and important language, more activities like this will permit us to read
more grammars and discover new contends and things in academic work, so we cheerful to be-
long to this wonderful course.
To finish, we expect that this work will facilitate us to be good students, more challenges are
well come.
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5. Bibliography
 Smith Ann et al, Learning English 1st Edition 2017 Longman pg. 158
 Schrampfer B. Basic English Grammar. Prentice Hall Regents, Englewood Cliffs. 1994
 Schrampfer B. Understanding and Using English Grammar. Prentice Hall Regents, Eng-
lewood Cliffs. 1994
 English Grammar present continuous. Alfonso López Rodríguez www.alfonsolopez.es