Present Continuous

PRESENT CONTINUOUS
1. DEFINITION:
Forming the present continuous. The present continuous of any verb is

composed of two parts - the present tense of the verb to be +
the present participle of the main verb. (The form of the present participle is:
base+ing, e.g. talking, playing, moving, smiling) Affirmative. Subject.
2. GRAMMATICAL RULES
2.1. Form (Forma)
Para formar el presente continuo se utiliza el verbo auxiliar “to be” y

el verbo+ing.
Sujeto Auxiliar (to be) Verbo+ing
I am talking, eating, learning, doing, going…
he, she, it is talking, eating, learning, doing, going…
you, we, they are talking , eating, learning, doing, going…

2.2. Structure (estructura)
2.2.1. Afirmative Sentences (Frases afirmativas)
Sujeto + verbo auxiliar (to be) + verbo+ing.

EXAMPLES:
 I’m talking.(Estoy hablando.)

 He’s eating.(Está comiendo.)
 They’re learning.(Están aprendiendo.)
2.2.2. Negative Sentences (Frases negativas)
Sujeto + verbo auxiliar (to be) + auxiliar negativo (not) + verbo+ing.

EXAMPLES:
 I’m not talking.(No estoy hablando.)

 He’s not [He isn’t] eating.(No está comiendo.)
2.2.3. Interrogative Sentences (Frases interrogativas)
Verbo auxiliar (to be) + sujeto + verbo+ing?

EXAMPLES:
 Are you talking?(¿Estás hablando?)

 Is he eating?(¿Está comiendo?)
 Are they learning?(¿Están aprendiendo?)
3. FUNCTIONS OF THE
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
As with all tenses in English, the

speaker's attitude is as important as the
time of the action or event. When
someone uses the present continuous,
they are thinking about something that
is unfinished or incomplete.
The present continuous is used:
 to describe an action that is

going on at this moment: You are
using the Internet. You are
studying English grammar.
 to describe an action that is

going on during this period of
time or a trend: Are you still
working for the same company?
More and more peopleare
becoming vegetarian.
 to describe an action or event in the future, which has already been

planned or prepared: We're going on holiday tomorrow. I'm meeting my
boyfriend tonight. Are they visiting you next winter?
 to describe a temporary event or situation: He usually plays the drums,

but he's playing bass guitar tonight. The weather forecast was good,
butit's raining at the moment.
 with "always, forever, constantly", to describe and emphasise a

continuing series of repeated actions: Harry and Sally are always
arguing!You're constantly complaining about your mother-in-law!
BE CAREFUL! Some verbs are not usually used in the continuous form
4. VERBS THAT ARE NOT USUALLY USED IN THE
CONTINUOUS FORM
The verbs in the list below are normally used in the simple form because they
refer to states, rather than actions or processes.
SENSES / PERCEPTION
 to feel*
 to hear
 to see*
 to smell
 to taste
OPINION
 to assume
 to believe
 to consider
 to doubt
 to feel (= to think)
 to find (= to consider)
 to suppose
 to think*
MENTAL STATES
 to forget
 to imagine
 to know
 to mean
 to notice
 to recognise
 to remember
 to understand
EMOTIONS / DESIRES
 to envy
 to fear
 to dislike
 to hate
 to hope
 to like
 to love
 to mind
 to prefer
 to regret
 to want
 to wish
OTHERS
 to look (=resemble)
 to seem
 to be (in most cases)
 to have (when it means "to possess")*
5. EXCEPTIONS
Perception verbs (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) are often used with can: I can
see... These verbs may be used in the continuous form but with a different
meaning
 This coat feels nice and warm. (your perception of the coat's qualities)
 John's feeling much better now (his health is improving)
 She has three dogs and a cat. (possession)
 She's having supper. (She's eating)
 I can see Anthony in the garden (perception)
 I'm seeing Anthony later (We are planning to meet)
POINTS TO DISCUSS
PRESENT CONTINUOUS .................................................. 1

1. DEFINITION: ............................................................... 1
2. GRAMMATICAL RULES ............................................. 1
2.1. Form (Forma) .......................................................... 1
2.2. Structure (estructura) .............................................. 2
2.2.1. Afirmative Sentences (Frases afirmativas) .......... 2
2.2.2. Negative Sentences (Frases negativas) .............. 2
2.2.3. Interrogative Sentences (Frases interrogativas) .. 2
3. FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS ...... 3
4. VERBS THAT ARE NOT USUALLY USED IN THE
CONTINUOUS FORM ...................................................... 4
5. EXCEPTIONS .............................................................. 5

Present Continuous

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PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Forming the present continuous. The present continuous of any verb is

Para formar el presente continuo se utiliza el verbo auxiliar “to be” y

Sujeto Auxiliar (to be) Verbo+ing

I am talking, eating, learning, doing, going…

he, she, it is talking, eating, learning, doing, going…

you, we, they are talking , eating, learning, doing, going…

2.2.1. Afirmative Sentences (Frases afirmativas)

Sujeto + verbo auxiliar (to be) + verbo+ing.

 I’m talking.(Estoy hablando.)

2.2.2. Negative Sentences (Frases negativas)

Sujeto + verbo auxiliar (to be) + auxiliar negativo (not) + verbo+ing.

 I’m not talking.(No estoy hablando.)

2.2.3. Interrogative Sentences (Frases interrogativas)

Verbo auxiliar (to be) + sujeto + verbo+ing?

 Are you talking?(¿Estás hablando?)

As with all tenses in English, the

The present continuous is used:

 to describe an action that is

 to describe an action that is

 to describe an action or event in the future, which has already been

 to describe a temporary event or situation: He usually plays the drums,

 with "always, forever, constantly", to describe and emphasise a

PRESENT CONTINUOUS .................................................. 1

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