Unit 5.2

Present Continuous Negative


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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 negative form, the verb denies that something is happening now.

Form

The present continuous, in its negative form, has this structure:
Subject + to be + not + [verb + -ing] + …

  • Short form of the negative form is the same as the short form of to be: I’m not – you’re not/you aren’t – he’s not/he isn’t…
Subject To be + not Verb + -ing
I am not working
You are not working
He is not working
She is not working
It is not working
We are not working
You are not working
They are not working

 

Example

  1. She isn’t watching TV at the moment.
    I‘m not using the dictionary.
  2. I‘m not working this weekend.
    She isn’t going to school next week. 
  3. I’m not getting better at English.
    They‘re not improving the situation.
  4. I‘m not always doing homework.
    He is not going to work again. 
  5. She isn’t looking for a job now.
    They are not cooking at the moment. 

Use

We use present continuous, in its negative form, to deny:

  1. actions happening at the moment of speaking;
  2. actions that are planned for the future;
  3. changes and tendencies;
  4. consistency of the events;
  5. temporary activities (that will finish in the future).

Summary

The present continuous, in the negative form, is used to deny situations that are going on around the moment of speaking.

When we use the present continuous in its negative form, we start with the subject followed by the verb to be and not and a verb that ends with -ing.

For example:
— “He isn’t working on an important project today.” = We use the present continuous to express an action that takes place while talking (in that moment).
♦ “He doesn’twork on important projects.” = We use the present simple to express 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.

Exercises

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