Present Continuous Tense

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 1-3

Table of Contents:

* Lesson Aims

* Present Continuous Forms (Singular/Plural)

* Signal Words

* Usage

* Rules

* Differentiation Present Simple - Present Continuous

* Present Continuous Exercises 

* Video Explanation (in Dutch)

Lesson Aims:

* Understanding differences between the present tense in both the simple form and the continuous form. 

* Understanding how to recognize/use the form in both a grammatical and communicative manner. 

Present Continuous Forms:

Formal:                                                                                      Informal:

Singular:                                                                                   Singular:

I am  + V + ing                                                                         I'm + V + ing 

You are + V + ing                                                                   You're + V + ing 

He/She/It is + V + ing                                                          He's / She's/It's + V + ing 

Plural:                                                                                         Plural 

We/They/You are + V + ing                                                We're/ They're/You're + V + ing 

Signal words:

Examples 

- Ajax is playing on NOS (right now/later/today). 

- We are coming over tonight at 9 PM. 

- Look! The birds are flying in droves! 

- We are going to see Space Jam this evening.  

- We are leaving right now. 

- Today we are going to have a quiz. 

- We are not taking any orders at the/this moment.

- He is going to be the next victim.  

- Currently, it is raining. 

- Shut up! I am talking! 

Spelling present continuous:

Spelling changes for the following words:

Usage:

* An action that is occurring at a particular moment. 

* An action that will (or will not) occur in the upcoming future. 

* To describe a temporary situation. 

Time expressions: now, currently 

Tip on understanding present continuous:

Look out the window, and see what is happening at that particular moment! 

Examples:

The train is departing the station. (at that particular moment)

The flight to Paris is departing at 13:43. 

An action that will (or will not) take place in the near future. 

An action that will (or will not) take place in the near future.

(It didn't happen by the way)

To describe a temporary situation:

Example:

I am / I'm staying (over at a friend's house for a few days. 

To emphasize the frequency of actions/irritations.

Key words: always / constantly

Example:

Donald Trump is (still) constantly complaining about the 2020 election results. 

Donald Trump is always blaming others for mistakes. 

Rules:

Differentiation Present Simple - Present Continuous:

Present Continuous Exercises:

Multiple choice and fill-in-the-blanks questions. 

Which verb forms are in the Present Continuous?

1. infinitive + -ed
2. infinitive + -ing
3. to have + infinitive + -ing
4. to be + infinitive + -ing

Which verb forms are correct?

1. She is rideing
2. She is loving
3. He is riding
4. She is putting

We (to make) sandwiches.

1. am making
2. have made
3. are making
4. make

What is a signal word for Present Continuous?

1. Always
2. Yesterday
3. Listen!
4. Since

Make a negation with the sentence.
The girls are riding their bikes.

Fill in the blank:
Look! Peter and Mark (to fight) ........ in the hallway!

Fill in the blank:
Joep (to swap)..... Donald Duck comic books with David (right now).

Listen! Amber (to come) ...... home!

Following lesson:

Present Perfect Tense