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Present continuous - Coggle Diagram
Present continuous
actions continuing at or around the moment of speaking
We often use the present continuous to
talk about
temporary situations
that are
going on now
‘What are you doing?’ ‘I'm writing emails,’
talk about
situations ‘around now'
:
before, during and after the moment of speaking
Hurry up! We're all waiting for you!
developments and changes
,
even long lasting ones
The climate is getting warmer.
That child’s getting bigger every day.
talk about
future which have already been planned
or
decided
talk about
future which we have present evidence, especially personal arrangements!
What are you doing tomorrow evening?
Come and see us next week if you're passing through London.
NOT USED
for
permament situations
,
regural actions repeated actions spread in time
My sister’s living at home for the moment.
Your parents live in North London, don't they?
with
verbs that usually don’t take the -ing form
I like this wine, (Currently, this wine is what I like) Do you believe what he says? (not in a general sense of believing, but the current utterance)
to say
how long something has been going on
I’ve been learning English for years. (Present Perfect Continuous)
Time expressions
Now, right now, at present, presently, for the time being, currently, at the moment, at the
present, nowadays, this year
Expressions for future
: T
omorrow, tonight, next week, next year
Annoyance
:
always, continuously, constantly
Stative vs action verbs
Some verbs
are
not often used in progressive forms.
I like this music, ( not I’m liking this music.)
Many
of these
non-progressive verbs refer to
states
rather than actions.
(e.g. emotional: like, hate, love)
mental states
(e.g. know, think, believe)
the
use of the senses
(e.g. feel, see, sound, hear, smell, taste)
Can + sense verb/understand/remember implies progressive meaning
Can you smell something burning?
Occasionally 'non-progressive’ verbs
are
used in progressive forms
in order
to emphasise the
idea of change or development.
These days, more and more people prefer / are preferring to retire early.
The water tastes / is tasting better today.
As I get older, I remember / I’m remembering less and less.
Present Simple vs Present Continuous
Stories
Simple
: used for
the events - the things that happen one after another
Progressive
: used for
‘background’ - things that are already happening when the story starts, or that continue through the story.
There’s this Scotsman, and he’s walking through the jungle when he meets a
gorilla. And the gorilla’s eating a snake sandwich. So the Scotsman asks…
Commentaries
Simple
: used for the
quicker actions and events
(which are finished before the
sentences that describe them)
Progressive
: used for
longer actions and situations
Harris passes back to Simms, nice ball - and Simms shoots!
Oxford are pulling slightly ahead of Cambridge now; they're rowing with a beautiful rhythm
Instructions and Demonstrations
First I put a lump of butter into a frying pan and light the gas; then while the
butter's melting I break three eggs into a bowl, like this
Repeated actions
Simple
:
Regular point in time, not happening near the time of speaking
Progressive
: The
repeated action happening around the time of speaking
Actions happening around the Simple points of time
At seven, when the mail comes, I'm usually having breakfast.
You look lovely when you're smiling.
Physical feelings
Simple and Progressive forms can be used to indicate the same meaning
How do you feel?
or
How are you feeling?
My head aches.
or
My head is aching.
Phrases in writing
Simple
:
More formal
form
More formal:
I look forward to hearing from you.
Progressive
:
Less formal
form
Less formal:
I'm looking forward to hearing from you