Present Continuous
The "present continuous" of any verb is made up of two parts: the present of the verb to be + the "present participle" of the main verb.
Ejemplos: TO GO, "present continuous"
| Afirmativa | Negativa | Interrogativa |
|---|---|---|
| I am going | I am not going | Am I going? |
| You are going | You aren't going. | Are you going? |
| He, she, it is going | He, she, it isn't going | Is he, she, it going? |
| We are going | We aren't going | Are we going? |
| You are going | You aren't going | Are you going? |
| They are going | They aren't going | Are they going? |
Functions of the "present continuous"
As with all English tenses, the speaker's attitude is as important as the time at which the action or event occurs. When using the "present continuous", we are referring to something that has not finished or is incomplete
The "present continuous" is used:
- To describe an action that is taking place right now: You are using the Internet. You are studying English grammar.
- To describe a trend or an action that is happening currently: Are you still working for the same company? More and more people are becoming vegetarian.
- To describe a future action or event that is already scheduled: We're going on holiday tomorrow. I'm meeting my boyfriend tonight. Are they visiting you next winter?
- To describe a temporary situation or event: He usually plays the drums, but he's playing bass guitar tonight. The weather forecast was good, but it's raining at the moment.
- With "always, forever, constantly", to describe and emphasize a succession of repeated actions: Harry and Sally are always arguing! You're constantly complaining about your mother-in-law!
Verbs that do not usually use the progressive form
The verbs in the following list usually use the simple form because they refer to states, rather than actions or processes.
Sensación / percepción
- to feel
- to hear
- to see
- to smell
- to taste
- Opiniónto assume
- to believe
- to consider
- to doubt
- to feel (= pensar)
- to find (= considerar)
- to suppose
- to think*
Estados mentales
- to forget
- to imagine
- to know
- to mean
- to notice
- to recognise
- to remember
- to understand
Emociones / deseos
- to envy
- to fear
- to dislike
- to hate
- to hope
- to like
- to love
- to mind
- to prefer
- to regret
- to want
- to wish
Medidas
- to contain
- to cost
- to hold
- to measure
- to weigh
Otros
- to look (=parecerse a)
- to seem
- to be (en la mayoría de los casos)
- to have (cuando significa "poseer")
Exceptions
The verbs of sensation and perception (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) are usually used with can: I can see... They can take the progressive form but, in this case, their meaning usually varies.
- This coat feels nice and warm. (perception of the qualities of the coat)
- John's feeling much better now
- She has three dogs and a cat. (possession)
- She's having supper. (is taking)
- I can see Anthony in the garden (perception)
- I'm seeing Anthony later
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