Using Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous tense looks like this:
is/are verb-ing Read these questions and pay attention to the answers. The words in bold in each answer is the present continuous tense.
What is Tommy doing now?
Tommy/He is swimming in the pool.
What are the boys doing now?
The boys/They are playing chess.
The above examples show that the present continuous tense is used to show actions that are still going on at the time of speaking or when someone is asking the question "What is he/she doing now?"
The present continuous tense is also used to indicate somebody's job/occupation at the time of speaking. Example:
My sister is teaching Geography at a secondary school at the moment.
The present continuous tense is also used to indicate somebody's status and what he/she is doing at the time of speaking. Example:
Peter is a college student. He is studying at Sunway College.
Some sentences may look like they are having the present continuous tense, but they do not give you the idea that the actions are going on at the time of speaking. They give you the idea that the actions are future actions. Read these sentences.
My aunt is going to Paris next Monday. Grandma is coming to visit us tonight.
is going means will go /is coming means will come
Therefore, is going/is coming are the present continuous tense which indicate actions which will happen in the future.
Click on "References" to view other tenses.
is/are verb-ing Read these questions and pay attention to the answers. The words in bold in each answer is the present continuous tense.
What is Tommy doing now?
Tommy/He is swimming in the pool.
What are the boys doing now?
The boys/They are playing chess.
The above examples show that the present continuous tense is used to show actions that are still going on at the time of speaking or when someone is asking the question "What is he/she doing now?"
The present continuous tense is also used to indicate somebody's job/occupation at the time of speaking. Example:
My sister is teaching Geography at a secondary school at the moment.
The present continuous tense is also used to indicate somebody's status and what he/she is doing at the time of speaking. Example:
Peter is a college student. He is studying at Sunway College.
Some sentences may look like they are having the present continuous tense, but they do not give you the idea that the actions are going on at the time of speaking. They give you the idea that the actions are future actions. Read these sentences.
My aunt is going to Paris next Monday. Grandma is coming to visit us tonight.
is going means will go /is coming means will come
Therefore, is going/is coming are the present continuous tense which indicate actions which will happen in the future.
Click on "References" to view other tenses.
By Susan L
On 12/04/2009 10:35:00 PM
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View More Articles... On 12/04/2009 10:35:00 PM
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