27 Present Continuous Affirmative
Advertising
Introduction
The present continuous (or progressive) is the tense used to express situations that are happening now (before, during and after the moment of speaking).
When expressed in its affirmative form, the verb confirms that something is happening now.
Form
The present continuous, in its affirmative form, has this structure:
Subject + to be + [verb + -ing] + …
Regular
Form of the verb: verb + -ing.
Short form of the affirmative form is the same as the short form of to be (spoken language or informal writing): I’m – you’re – he’s…
| Subject | to be | Verb + -ing |
|---|---|---|
| I | am | working |
| You | are | working |
| He | is | working |
| She | is | working |
| It | is | working |
| We | are | working |
| You | are | working |
| They | are | working |
Exceptions
- Verbs with suffix -e: drop -e and add -ing.
| Infinitive | Verb + -ing |
|---|---|
| write | writing |
| smile | smiling |
| take | taking |
- Verbs ending in a consonant which comes after a vowel, verbs with the accent on the last syllable and verbs ending in -l: double the consonant.
| Infinitive | Verb + -ing |
|---|---|
| sit | sitting |
| begin | beginning |
| spill | spilling |
- Verbs with suffix -ie: drop -ie and add -ying.
| Infinitive | Verb + -ing |
|---|---|
| die | dying |
| lie | lying |
| tie | tying |
Example
- The moment of speaking
- I‘m eating an apple.
- She is watching TV at the moment.
- We are speaking.
- Temporary activities
- I am looking for a new shirt.
- Paul is working hard to buy new shoes.
- We are staying in this apartment for 3 weeks.
- Planned actions
- I am leaving early tonight.
- He is going to the cinema on Friday evening.
- We are going on holiday at the end of this month.
- Changes and tendencies
- I am getting happier and happier.
- The world is getting warmer.
- We are becoming better at volleyball.
- Consistency of the events
- I‘m always watching the news.
- He is talking consistently.
- They are always having lunch at 14:00.
Use
We use the present continuous, in its affirmative form, to confirm:
- Actions happening at the moment of speaking;
- Temporary activities (that will finish in the future);
- Actions that are planned for in the future;
- Changes and tendencies;
- Consistency of the events.
Summary
The present continuous, in the affirmative form, is used to confirm situations that are going on around the moment of speaking.
The structure is:
Subject + to be + [verb + -ing] + …
For example:
— “You are eating.” = We use the present continuous to express an action that takes place while talking (in that moment).
♦ “You eat.” = We use the present simple to express an action that happens repeatedly or always in the present.
There are some exceptions, depending on the ending of the verb.
For example:
— Suffix -e: drop -e and add -ing. “Shake” ⇒ “This winter is so cold, I am shaking.”
— Vowel after a consonant, verbs with the accent on the last syllable and verbs ending in -l: double the consonant. “Put“ ⇒ “He is putting his grandson to sleep.”
— Suffix -ie: drop -ie and add -ying: “Tie“ ⇒ “My cousin has problems with tying his shoes.”
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section which shows its use within a context.
Exercises
The exercises are not created yet. If you would like to get involve with their creation, be a contributor.
Ambassadors
Open TextBooks are collaborative projects, with people from all over the world bringing their skills and interests to join in the compilation and dissemination of knowledge to everyone and everywhere.
Become an Ambassador and write your textbooks.
Online Teaching
Become a Books4Languages Online tutor & teacher.
More information here about how to be a tutor.
