The Present Continuous Tense

The present continuous tense describes present time, it is used for actions which are happening in the present, and for a period of time which includes the present, and for a period of time which includes the present. Sometime markers generally used for present time are ; now, to day, at this moment. Some words in combination with “this” such as this week, these days etc.

S + is/am/are + V1 + ing + O (+)

Is/am/are + S + V1 + ing + O (?)

S + is/am/are not + V1 + ing + O (-)

Example

The baby is having a bowel movement now (+)

Are you reading a book ? (?)

She isn’t looking for the job (-)

Listening

Jane    : Dear Derek, I’m writing this letter at home. At the moment,  I’m sitting alone in the  kitchen.    I’m listening to the radio. I’m drinking some tea, and I’m thinking about you, I. .

Jane   :  I’m going to. . . .I’m going to see. . .oh!

Jane   :  hallo,

Derek : hallo 634-5019?

Jane : yes.

Derek : Can I speek to Jane please ?

Jane : speaking

Derek : oh, hallo Jane. It’s Derek

Jane : Derek ! hallo ! how are you ?

Derek : oh, I’m fine. Er, Jane….listen-

Jane : yes I’m listening

Derek : Jane, I’m-

Jane : yes ?

Derek : Yes, I’m going away.

Jane : Going away?

Derek : Yes, I’m going away to Brazil.

Jane : Oh, are you going. . .alone?

Derek : Well, as amatter of fact, I’m not going alone. I’m going whit Susan. We are going now. . .Jane ? Jane ? Jane ?

Jane : Hmmmm

Jane : at the moment I’m sitting alone in the kitchen. I’m listening to the radio. I’m drinking some tea, and I’m thinking ab. . .

Jane : Hmmmm now listen Derek. If you’re going to Brazil, go !

Albert : Jane ? Albert here.

Jane : Oh, er. . .Hallo, Albert, How are you ?

Albert : Oh, I’m very well.

Jane : Good.

Albert : Um. . .How are you?

Jane : Oh, I’m very well, too

Albert : Oh, good, Er. Jane. . .listen-

Jane : Yes, I’m listening.

Albert : are you busy at the moment ?

Jane : No, no. as a matter of fact, I’m sitting in the kitchen, and I’m writing a letter.

Albert : Oh, are you writing to Derek?

Jane : Oh ? no, Derek’s going away.

Albert : Going away?

Jane : Yes. To Brazil. I’m writing a letter to you.

Albert  : To me?

Jane : Yes.

Derek : Ah.

Jane : Albert, are you at the airport ?

Albert : Well, as a matter of fact, I am at the airport. I’m. . .Jane ? Jane ? Jane ?

Jane : Dear Michael. . .

READING

The best art critics

I am an art student and I paint a lot of pictures. Many  people pretend that they understand modern art. They always tell you what a picture is about. Of course, many pictures are not about anything. They are just pretty patterns. We like them in the same way that we like pretty curtain material. I think that young children often appreciate modern picture better than anyone else. They notice more. My sister is only seven, but she always tells me whether my picture are good or not. She came into my room yesterday.

“What are you doing ? “she asked. “ I’m hanging this picture on wall “ I answered. . .

“It’s a new one. Do you like it ?” She looked at it critically for a moment. “It’s all right” she said, “but isn’t it upside-down ? “ I looked at it again. She was right ! It was !

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