Present Continuous

Question 1

Present continuous – Form

Answer 1

We form the present continuous with am/is/are + the -ing form of the verb.

I am writing a book.
She is listening to the radio.
They are doing their homework.

Question 2

The short forms of am/is/are

Answer 2

The short forms of am/is/are are:
‘m
I‘m writing a book.

’s
She‘s listening to the radio.

’re
They‘re doing their homework.

Question 3

The negative short forms of am not/is not/are not

Answer 3

The negative short forms of am not/is not/are not are: ‘m not/isn’t/aren’t.

I‘m not writing a book.
She isn’t listening to the radio.
They aren’t doing their homework.

Note that we can use short forms only in negative short answers, but not in positive short answers.

‘Are you writing a book?’ ‘No, I’m not/I am not.’ - v
‘Are you writing a book?’ ‘Yes, I am.’ -v
_________________________________________
‘Are you writing a book?’ ‘Yes, I’m.’ -x

Question 4

Use the present continuous

Answer 4

Actions happening now,
at the moment of speaking.

‘What are you doing?’ ‘I‘m watching TV.’

Actions happening around now
for temporary things that are happening around now (=not at the moment of speaking but these days, or weeks, etc.)

I‘m reading a very good book at the moment. (=I’m not reading it at the moment I’m speaking, but I’m reading it these days.)

Question 5

Signal time expressions of Present Continuous

Answer 5

now, at the moment, at present, today, these days, this week, etc.

Question 6

-ing Spelling

Answer 6

1. GENERAL RULE: add -ing
   work - working
2. With verbs ending in consonant + -e, we delete the -e and add -ing.
   live - living
3. With verbs ending in consonant + vowel + consonant, we double the consonant and add -ing
   run - running
   swim - swimming

Question 7

Make questions in present continuous

Answer 7

We use:
am/is/are + subject + -ing
Are we doing?.

Question 8

Negative short answers in present continuous

Answer 8

We use:
no + I/you/etc + am not/is not/are not.

The short forms are:
‘m not
isn’t
aren’t.

Question 9

Positive short answers

Answer 9

We use:
yes + I/you/etc + am/is/are

We cannot use short forms