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Present Continuous

Structure:
The basic structure of the present with be + ing is as follows:

Subject + conjugated form of "to be" + main verb with "-ing" ending

For example:

I am working. (I am working.)
She is reading. (She is reading.)
They are playing. (They are playing.)


Usage:
➡️ Actions happening at the moment of speaking:

I am eating dinner right now. (I am eating dinner right now.)
They are watching a movie. (They are watching a movie.)

➡️ Temporary actions:

She is living in Paris for a few months. (She is living in Paris for a few months.)
He is working as a consultant this year. (He is working as a consultant this year.)

➡️ Current trends or changes:

The weather is getting colder. (The weather is getting colder.)
Prices are rising. (Prices are rising.)

➡️ Planned future events:

We are meeting tomorrow at 10 AM. (We are meeting tomorrow at 10 AM.)
They are arriving next week. (They are arriving next week.)



⚠️ Two points to watch out for:

➡️ Doubling the final consonant:
In English, when a verb ends in a consonant after a stressed vowel, that consonant is often doubled before adding the "-ing" suffix to form the present continuous (be + ing). This helps maintain the correct pronunciation of the verb. Here are some examples:

run → running: The "n" consonant is doubled to maintain the short vowel sound of "u".
stop → stopping: The "p" consonant is doubled to maintain the short vowel sound of "o".
begin → beginning: The "n" consonant is doubled to maintain the short vowel sound of "i".
Verbs that double the final consonant:

have only one syllable
and they end with these three letters: a consonant, a vowel, a consonant (in that order)
RUN ✔️ => running
HELP ❌ => helping

➡️ Verbs that are generally not used in the present continuous (be + ing):
Some verbs, called stative verbs, are generally not used in the present continuous (be + ing). These verbs describe states or conditions rather than actions. Here are some examples:

be: This verb is used as an auxiliary in the present continuous (be + ing), but it is not used in this form to describe a state.
have (possession): Used to indicate possession, it is not common in the present continuous (be + ing).
know: This verb describes a state of knowledge and is not used in the present continuous (be + ing).
see: Used to describe visual perception, it is not common in the present continuous (be + ing).
want: This verb describes a desire and is not used in the present continuous (be + ing).
need: This verb describes a need and is not used in the present continuous (be + ing).
like: Used to express a preference, it is not common in the present continuous (be + ing).
love: Used to express a strong feeling, it is not common in the present continuous (be + ing).
hate: Used to express an aversion, it is not common in the present continuous (be + ing).
These verbs are generally used in the simple present to describe permanent states or general truths.

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English exercise "Present Continuous" created by anonyme with The test builder.
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1. My boyfriend (make) a special dish now.

2. What are you doing?... I (do) the washing up.

3. She (make) the decorations at the moment.

4. My grandmother (do) the gardening!

5. He (do) the homework right now.

6. Look, the dog (eat) bananas.

7. I (make) my bed right now.

8. My mother (make) some tea for me now.

9. Sara (do) the shopping with her friend.

10. We (try) to make a cake, but it doesn't seem to work out.