Present continuous

Present Continuous

Uses of the present continuous1. Accusing.2. Complaining.3. Criticizing.4. Describing a picture.5. Explaining something that is not obvious.6. Reporting events.7. Stating a change.(Sudden & Gradual)8. Excusing someone for not coming to the phone.9. Describing temporary situations.10. Describing repeated activities.11. Describing current events.12. Describing general events.

Uses of the present continuous1. Accusing. Mom, Josh is pulling my hair! Excuse me, boss, but John is not helping me at all. Dad, my brother is fighting with me!2. Complaining. You’re always giving the hardest jobs! I’m always getting the most difficult jobs! You’re always criticizing my driving!3. Criticizing. My partner is always leaving garbage on her desk. My neighbor is always throwing his garbage to me. You’re always driving recklessly.

Uses of the present continuous4. Describing a picture. In this picture, I’m celebrating my birthday. In this one, I’m skiing in Aspen. In this one, I’m gardening. I love plants.5. Explaining something that is not obvious. Here I am designing a circuit. A. What are you doing? B. I’m painting a landscape. I’m making an experiment. It’s a volcanic eruption. 6. Reporting events. Oh, wow! A woman is singing. Another is dancing. Several people are shouting. A dog is barking. The people are parading down the street.

Uses of the present continuous7. Stating a change.(Sudden & Gradual) I’m getting older. Things are getting more and more expensive. It’s getting darker and darker.8. Excusing someone for not coming to the phone. A. Excuse me. May I please speak to Mary? It’s Tony. B. Sorry. She isn’t here. She’s shopping.Or B. Sorry, but She’s taking a shower now.9. Describing temporary situations. I’m looking for a job. I’m living at my sister’s until I can find my own place. I’m looking for a girlfriend.

Uses of the present continuous10. Describing repeated activities. My brother is bouncing the ball. He’s hitting the punching bag. I’m repeating and repeating the same thing.11. Describing current events. Spain is defeating Italy. El Salvador is electing a new President. The candidates are debating, but I’m not interested.12. Describing general events. I’m studying at the university. I’m applying for a scholarship. I’m working on a new project.

Meanings of the present continuousDescribing temporary situations.I’m selling wares until I find a better job.I’m reading a magazine to wait for the doctor.Describing repeated activities.Mary is throwing paper balls at me.She’s moving her hands a lot as she speaks.Describing current events.People are protesting. They’re asking for a better life.Jets are bombarding the city. Civilians are dying.Describing activities happening at the moment of speaking.You’re not listening to me. You’re playing with that toy.Mary is not studying. She’s texting her friends.