28 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
We add -ing at the end of the verb:
- 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
The exceptions of the present continuous in the affirmative form are:
- 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
- Actions happening at the moment of speaking
- We’re doing our homework.
- She is watching TV at the moment.
- I‘m using the dictionary.
- Actions that are planned for the future
- I am fixing the shelves tonight.
- He is buying a computer at the weekend.
- We are repeating the class next week.
- Changes and tendencies
- I am getting happier and happier.
- I am becoming better at sitting exams.
- The teacher is improving her classes every day.
- Consistency of the events
- I‘m always doing homework.
- The student is asking questions repeatedly.
- I am always photocopying worksheets for you!
- Temporary activities
- He’s looking for the map.
- I’m buying some pens.
- The classmates are working in groups.
Use
We use present continuous, in its affirmative form, to confirm:
- Actions happening at the moment of speaking;
- Actions that are planned for the future;
- Changes and tendencies;
- Consistency of the events;
- Temporary activities (that will finish in the future).
Summary
The present continuous, in the affirmative form, is used to confirm situations that are going on around the moment of speaking.
When we use the present continuous in its affirmative form, we start with the subject followed by the verb to be and a verb that ends with -ing.
For example:
— “He is working on an important project today.” = We use the present continuous to express an action that takes place while talking (in that moment).
♦ “He works on important projects.” = 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” ⇒ “Shaking“.
— 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. “Put“ ⇒ “Putting“.
— Suffix -ie: drop -ie and add -ying: “Tie“ ⇒ “Tying“.
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.
