Teach Y G - 08 - The present

Question 1

1. to emphasise the action is happening NOW
2. to emphasise a CHANGE IN ACTION vis-a-vis the past
3. for an action which is happening OVER A PERIOD OF TIME in the present
4. to express DISAPPROVAL or SURPRISE

Answer 1

When is the present continuous used instead of the present? (4) eg ¿qué haces? and ¿qué estás haciendo?

Question 2

1. ¿Qué estás haciendo ahora?

2. To emphasise change in action vis-a-vis the past

Answer 2

1. What are you doing now?

2. Why use present continuous?

Question 3

1. Estoy esperando desde hace dos horas

2. Action happening over period of time

Answer 3

1. I’ve been waiting for two hours.

2. Why use present continuous?

Question 4

1. Pero qué estás diciendo!

2. To express disapproval or surprise

Answer 4

1. But what are you saying!

2. Why use present continuous?

Question 5

1. Estoy viviendo en California.

2. To emphasise change in action vis-a-vis the past

Answer 5

1. I´m living in California.

2. Why use present continuous?

Question 6

1. Está lloviendo desde anoche.

2. Action happening over period of time

Answer 6

1. It´s been raining for hours

2. Why use present continuous?

Question 7

1. Estás leyendo mis cartas!

2. To express disapproval or surprise

Answer 7

1. You´re reading my letters!

2. Why use present continuous?

Question 8

Estar + gerund

Answer 8

How do you form the present continuous?

Question 9

1. te escribo de Rio
2. te estoy escribiendo de Rio.
3. Simple present always preferred unless the 4 situations

Answer 9

1. I am writing from Rio. (present)
2. I am writing from Rio (present continuous)
3. Both are possible, which is preferred? why?

Question 10

1. mientras yo escribo y escucho música
2. mientras yo estoy escribiendo y escuchando música
3. Simple present always preferred unless the 4 situations

Answer 10

1. while I write and listen to music (present)
2. while I write and listen to music (present continuous)
3. Both are possible, which is preferred? why?

Question 11

1. El gerente está hablando con unos clientes.

2. To emphasise that he is talking to them at this very moment.

Answer 11

1. The manager is speaking with some clients.

2. Why use present continuous?

Question 12

1. Está trabajando en una firma en Barcelona.

2. To emphasise that there is a change ie she used to be here

Answer 12

1. She´s working for a company in Barcelona.

2. Why use present continuous?

Question 13

1. Llevar + time phrase + gerund (Alt construction 1)

2. hace + time phrase + que + present tense (Alt construction 2)

Answer 13

Two other constructions to refer to events which began in past but still happening?

Question 14

1. El lleva un año viviendo en Francia

2. Alt construction 1 (Llevar + gerund)

Answer 14

1. He’s been living in France for a year.

2. What alt construction to present continuous?

Question 15

1. Hace una hora que están
2. Alt construction 2 (hace + time phrase + que + present)
3. Están aquí desde hace una hora

Answer 15

1. They’ve been here for an hour

2. What alt construction to present continuous?

Question 16

1. Llevamos tres horas esperando

2. Alt construction 1 (Llevar + gerund)

Answer 16

1. We’ve been waiting for
   3 hours
2. What alt construction to present continuous?

Question 17

1. Hace dos noches que no duermo
2. Alt construction 2 (hace + time phrase + que + present)
3. No duermo desde hace dos noches

Answer 17

1. I haven’t slept for two nights

2. What alt construction to present continuous?

Question 18

¿Cuánto tiempo hace que están aquí?

Answer 18

How long have they been here for? (Use Alt construction 2)

Question 19

¿Cuánto tiempo hace que no duermes?

Answer 19

How long is it since you slept? (Use Alt construction 2)

Question 20

¿Cuánto tiempo llevas trabajando aquí?

Answer 20

How long have you been working here? (Use alt construction 1)