29 Present Continuous Interrogative
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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 interrogative form, it is used to form questions about something that is happening now.
Form
The present continuous, in its interrogative form, has this structure:
To be + subject + [verb + -ing] + …?
| To be | Subject | Verb + -ing | Question Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Am | I | working | …? |
| Are | you | working | …? |
| Is | he | working | …? |
| Is | she | working | …? |
| Is | it | working | …? |
| Are | we | working | …? |
| Are | you | working | …? |
| Are | they | working | …? |
{For the exceptions see the affirmative form of present continuous}.
Example
- The moment of speaking
- Am I eating an apple?
- Is she watching TV at the moment?
- Are we speaking?
- Temporary activities
- Am I looking for a new shirt?
- Is Paul working hard to buy new shoes?
- Are we staying in this apartment for 3 weeks?
- Planned actions
- Am I leaving early tonight?
- Is he going to the cinema on Friday evening?
- Are we going on holiday at the end of this month?
- Changes and tendencies
- Am I getting happier and happier?
- Is the world getting warmer?
- Are we becoming better at volleyball?
- Consistency of the events
- Am I always watching the news?
- Is he talking consistently?
- Are they always having lunch at 14:00?
Use
We use the present continuous, in its interrogative form, to ask about:
- Actions happening at the moment of speaking;
- Temporary activities (that will finish in the future);
- Actions that are planned for the future;
- Changes and tendencies;
- Consistency of the events.
Summary
The present continuous, in the interrogative form, is used to ask about situations that are going on around the moment of speaking.
The structure is:
To be + subject + [verb + -ing] + …?
For example:
— “Are you eating?” = We use the present continuous to ask about an action that takes place whilst talking (in that moment).
♦ “Do you eat?” = We use the present simple to ask about an action that happens repeatedly or always in the present.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
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