Lesson: Present Continuous Tense
**Definition**
The Present Continuous tense, also known as the Present Progressive tense, is used to describe actions that are currently happening at the moment of speaking or are ongoing. It can also indicate future plans or actions that are about to happen.
*Form*
The Present Continuous tense is formed using the present tense of the verb "to be" (am/is/are) followed by the present participle (base verb + -ing).
**Structure:**
- **Affirmative:** Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
- *I am reading a book.*
- *She is playing the piano.*
- *They are watching a movie.*
- **Negative:** Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing
- *I am not reading a book.*
- *She is not playing the piano.*
- *They are not watching a movie.*
- **Question:** Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing?
- *Am I reading a book?*
- *Is she playing the piano?*
- *Are they watching a movie?*
### **Uses**
1. **Actions happening now:** To describe actions that are occurring at the moment of speaking.
- *He is eating lunch right now.*
- *The children are playing in the park.*
2. **Temporary situations:** To describe situations that are temporary or not permanent.
- *She is staying with her friend for the week.*
- *I am working from home this month.*
3. **Future plans:** To talk about future arrangements or plans.
- *We are meeting them at 6 PM tomorrow.*
- *She is traveling to Paris next week.*
4. **Repeated actions with "always":** To express annoyance or irritation about repeated actions.
- *He is always losing his keys.*
- *She is always talking during the movie.*
### **Exceptions**
1. **Spelling changes:** When adding -ing, some verbs undergo spelling changes.
- **Verbs ending in -e:** Drop the -e and add -ing.
- *make → making*
- *write → writing*
- **One-syllable verbs ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern:** Double the final consonant and add -ing.
- *run → running*
- *sit → sitting*
2. **Non-continuous verbs:** Some verbs are not typically used in the continuous form. These include stative verbs like:
- **Emotions:** love, hate, prefer
- *Correct: I love chocolate.*
- *Incorrect: I am loving chocolate.*
- **Senses:** see, hear, smell
- *Correct: I hear the music.*
- *Incorrect: I am hearing the music.*
- **Thoughts:** know, believe, understand
- *Correct: I know the answer.*
- *Incorrect: I am knowing the answer.*
Exercise
Part A: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in Present Continuous.**
1. She ____ (study) for her exams right now.
2. They ____ (not/watch) TV at the moment.
3. ____ you ____ (come) to the party tonight?
4. We ____ (plan) our vacation for next month.
5. He ____ (always/forget) his homework!
Part B: Identify whether the sentence is correct or incorrect. If incorrect, provide the correct form.
1. She is know the answer.
2. I am thinking about my future.
3. They is playing outside.
4. He is always talk during meetings.
5. We are meet them at 7 PM.