present continuous tense

Present Continuous tense

I am watching tv
You are watching tv
He /she is watching tv
It is snowing
We are watching tv
You are watching tv
They are watching tv

Here we have the positive structure - subject plus verb plus object (svo).
The present continuous used the verb (to be) as an auxiliary verb / helping verb.
So sentence structure or syntax is:

Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb plus object.
I am watching television

Point: we normally use the short form of the verb to be when we speak e.g.

I am watching television becomes I’m watching television
You are watching tv becomes you’re watching tv and so on…


Negative:

Here we have the long form followed by the 2 short forms..

I am not watching tv / I’m not watching tv
You are not watching tv / you’re not watching tv / you aren’t watching tv
He/she is not watching tv / she’s not watching tv / she isn’t watching tv
It is not snowing / it’s not snowing / it isn’t snowing
We are not watching tv / we’re not watching tv / we aren’t watching tv
You are not watching tv / you’re not watching / you aren’t watching
They are not watching tv / they’re not watching / they aren’t watching

Point:

1. We can use the short form of the auxiliary verb to be for example
she’s not watching or she isn’t watching tv instead of the long form above.
2. Verbs used in the continuous tenses are action / dynamic verbs as opposed to state verbs mentioned in present simple earlier.

Interrogative / question form:

Am I watching tv?
Are you watching tv?
Is he / she watching tv?
Is it snowing?
Are we watching tv?
Are you watching tv?
Are they watching tv?


Point:

No short form here..

Adding interrogative pronouns helps form more complex answers rather than simply ye s/ no answers.

Example

What are you watching?
Why are you crying?
Who are you talking to?
Where are you going?
When are you leaving?
How many books are you buying?
How much cheese are you eating?



Uses?

1. Action at moment of speaking e.g. I am making a phone call
2. Action happening around now – temporary period of time e.g.
I am studying English in Dublin
3. Future arrangement – fixed appointments e.g. I am meeting a client next Friday at 12 noon.
4. Trends / movements e.g. interest rates are rising / falling






Exercise:

Some of the sentences below are incorrect while others are correct.

1. Everyday I get up at 7am
2. Every weekend he go to mass at 10.30 am
3. How often do you go to the cinema?
4. Does he lives in Dublin
5. How much is it costing?
6. I am meet john tonight at 8 pm
7. Do you knowing Mr. Murphy?
8. He isn’t always on time
9. Frank doesn’t smokes anymore
10. What do you do?