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English Grammar in Use (1) Present continuous (I am doing)

10:42 AM / Posted by 2easy_Team /

Present continuous (I am doing)

Study this example situation:

Ann is in her car. She is on her way to work.

She is driving to work.

This means: She is driving now, at the time of speaking.

This is the present continuous tense:


I am = (I'm) driving

He/She/It is = (he's etc.) driving

We/They/You are = (we're etc.) driving


We use the present continuous when we talk about something which is happening at the time of speaking.

- Please don't make so much noise. I'm studying. (not "I study")

- "where is Margaret?" "She's having a bath." (not "she has")

- Let's go out now. It isn't raining any more.

- (at a party) Hello, Ann. Are you enjoying the party? (not "do you enjoy")

B)

We also use the present continuous when we talk about something which is happening around the time of speaking, but not necessarily exactly at the time of speaking. Study this example situation:

- Tom and Ann are talking and drinking in a café. Tom says: "I'm reading an interesting book at the moment. I'll lend it to you when I've finished it."

Tom is not reading the book at the time of speaking. He means that he has begun the book and hasn't finished it yet. He is in the middle of reading it. Here are some more examples:

- Silvia is learning English at the moment. (not "learns")

- Have you heard about Tom? He is building his own house. (not "builds")


But perhaps Silvia and Tom are not doing these things exactly at the time of speaking.

C) We often use the present continuous when we talk about a period around the present. For examples: (today – these days – this season etc. ) :

- "You're working hard today." "Yes, I have a lot to do."

- These days more and more people are learning foreign languages.

- Tom isn't playing football this season. He wants to concentrate on his studies.

D)

We use the present continuous when we talk about changing situations:

- The population of the world is rising very fast. (not "rises")

- Is your English getting better? (not "does…get")

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12 comments:

Comment by wddaah on December 31, 2008 at 1:00 PM

Hello every body
I wont to ask you a question
can we say:

Hello, Ann. Are you enjoying in the party?

and if we can't , can you explain why

thanks a lot.

Comment by Unknown on January 4, 2009 at 1:55 PM

I think We can say it

Comment by Unknown on March 23, 2009 at 1:05 AM

it is better to say : "Are you enjoying the party?"

Comment by ayman fouad on April 11, 2009 at 3:25 AM

man tahnk u so so much about this blog
ayman fouad
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Comment by alhocine on April 13, 2009 at 11:19 AM

yes i think that we can say it
because it is better

Anonymous on March 17, 2010 at 3:30 PM

THE STRUCTURE OF THE SENTENSE IS GOOD
SO WHY NOT
WE CAN SAY IT

Comment by English Grammar on September 1, 2010 at 6:45 PM

This is something really useful especially for my twins , they are in grade school. I am printing this out. Thanks and more power! Keep it up!

Comment by Mike Thomson on June 4, 2011 at 9:55 AM

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Anonymous on June 5, 2012 at 6:11 PM

I am with GAZA too !

Comment by AR Mirza on July 4, 2013 at 3:34 AM

fantastic post guys keep the good work like this thanks


English Learners
English Grammar Guru

Comment by online punctuation checker on June 30, 2015 at 11:06 PM

This is a great lesson to learn grammar and punctuation. it is really helpful, thanks for this post.

Comment by Internship Introduction Report on January 28, 2017 at 4:03 AM

Wonderful lesson of grammar and punctuation and it will provide grat help in writing internship report.

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