English Language (2)

Compiled By
Dr. Amany Farghly Galal
lecturer
 1) Present Continuous

The present continuous (also called present progressive) is a verb

tense which is used to show that an ongoing action is happening
now, either at the moment of speech or now in a larger sense. The
present continuous can also be used to show that an action is going
to take place in the near future
Present Continuous Forms

The present continuous is formed using am/is/are + present participle. Questions are
indicated by inverting the subject and am/is/are. Negatives are made with not.

Statement: You are watching TV.

Question: Are you watching TV?

Negative: You are not watching TV

 Negative Question
Positive

I am not speaking. Am I speaking?

I am speaking.
You are not speaking. Are you speaking?
You are speaking.
We are not speaking. Are we speaking?
We are speaking.
They are not speaking. Are they speaking?
They are speaking.
He is not speaking. Is he speaking?
He is speaking.
She is not speaking. Is she speaking?
She is speaking.
Present Continuous Uses
USE 1 (Now)

Use the present continuous with normal verbs to express the idea that something is
happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not
happening now.
Examples:
You are learning English now.
You are not swimming now.
Are you sleeping?
Is he sitting or standing?
They are reading their books.
They are not watching television.
What are you doing?
Why aren't you doing your homework?
 USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so
on. Sometimes, we use the present continuous to say that we are in the process of doing
a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact
second.
Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)
I am studying to become a doctor.
I am not studying to become a dentist.
I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
I am not reading any books right now.
Are you working on any special projects at work?
Aren't you teaching at the university now?
 USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the present continuous to indicate that

something will or will not happen in the near future.

Examples:

I am meeting some friends after work.

I am not going to the party tonight.

Is he visiting his parents next weekend?

Isn't he coming with us tonight?

 USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always“

The present continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea
that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like
simple present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or
"constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."

Examples:

She is always coming to class late.

He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.

I don't like them because they are always complaining.

Present Continuous Tips

REMEMBER Non- Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that non- continuous verbs cannot be used in any continuous
tenses. Also, certain non- continuous meanings for mixed verbs cannot be used in
continuous tenses. Instead of using present continuous with these verbs, you must use
simple present.

The "non- continuous verbs," is smaller. These verbs are usually things you cannot see
somebody doing. These verbs are rarely used in continuous tenses. They include:
Abstract Verbs: ( to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to contain, to owe, to
exist...)
Possession Verbs:( to possess, to own, to belong...)
Emotion Verbs:( to like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to mind...)
Examples:
He is needing help now. Not Correct
He needs help now. Correct
He is wanting a drink now. Not Correct
He wants a drink now. Correct
She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct
Mixed Verbs
The third group, called "mixed verbs," is the smallest group. These verbs have more than
one meaning. In a way, each meaning is a unique verb. Some meanings behave like
"non- continuous verbs," while other meanings behave like "normal verbs."
Mixed Verbs
to appear, to feel, to have, to hear, to look, to see, to weigh...
List of Mixed Verbs with Examples and Definitions:
to appear:
Donna appears confused. Non- Continuous Verb
Donna seems confused.
My favorite singer is appearing at the jazz club tonight. Normal Verb
My favorite singer is giving a performance at the jazz club tonight.
to have:

I have a dollar now. Non- Continuous Verb

I possess a dollar.

I am having fun now. Normal Verb

I am experiencing fun now.

to hear:

She hears the music. Non- Continuous Verb

She hears the music with her ears.

She is hearing voices. Normal Verb

She hears something others cannot hear. She is hearing voices
to look:

Nancy looks tired. Non- Continuous Verb

She seems tired.

Farah is looking at the pictures. Normal Verb

She is looking with her eyes.

to miss:

John misses Sally. Non- Continuous Verb

He is sad because she is not there.

Debbie is missing her favorite TV program. Normal Verb

She is not there to see her favorite program..
to see:
I see her. Non- Continuous Verb
I see her with my eyes
I am seeing the doctor. Normal Verb
I am visiting or consulting with a doctor. (Also used with
dentist and lawyer.)
I am seeing her. Normal Verb
I am having a relationship with her.
He is seeing ghosts at night. Normal Verb
He sees something others cannot see. For example ghosts,
aura, a vision of the future, etc.
to smell:

The coffee smells good. Non- Continuous Verb

The coffee has a good smell.

I am smelling the flowers. Normal Verb

I am sniffing the flowers to see what their smell is like.

to taste:

The coffee tastes good. Non- Continuous Verb

The coffee has a good taste.

I am tasting the cake. Normal Verb

I am trying the cake to see what it tastes like
to think:

He thinks the test is easy. Non- Continuous Verb

He considers the test to be easy.

She is thinking about the question. Normal Verb

She is pondering the question, going over it in her mind.

to weigh:

The table weighs a lot. Non- Continuous Verb

The table is heavy.

She is weighing herself. Normal Verb

She is determining her weight.
Some Verbs Can Be Especially Confusing:
to be:
Joe is American. Non- Continuous Verb
Joe is an American citizen.
Joe is being very American. Normal Verb
Joe is behaving like a stereotypical American.
Joe is being very rude. Normal Verb
Joe is behaving very rudely. Usually he is not rude.
Joe is being very formal. Normal Verb
Joe is behaving very formally. Usually he is not formal.
NOTICE: Only rarely is "to be" used in a continuous form. This is most
commonly done when a person is temporarily behaving badly or
stereotypically. It can also be used when someone's behavior is noticeably
different.
to feel:

The massage feels great. Non- Continuous Verb

The massage has a pleasing feeling.

I don't feel well today. Sometimes used as Non- Continuous Verb

I am a little sick.
I am not feeling well today. Sometimes used as Normal Verb
I am a little sick.

NOTICE: The second meaning of "feel" is very flexible and

there is no real difference in meaning between "I don't feel
well today" and "I am not feeling well today."
ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as:
always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You are still watching TV.

Are you still watching TV?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

Right now, Tom is writing the letter. Active

Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. Passive

 Exercise (1):
Simple Present and Present Continuous
Every Monday, Sally (drive) ………. her kids to football practice.
Usually, I (work) …………… as a secretary at ABT, but this summer I (study) …………. French at a language school
in Paris . That is why I am in Paris.
Shhhhh! Be quiet! John (sleep) ……………
Don't forget to take your umbrella. It (rain) …………….
I hate living in Seattle because it (rain, always) …………..
I'm sorry I can't hear what you (say) ………….. because everybody (talk) …………. so loudly.
Justin (write, currently……………... a book about his adventures in Tibet. I hope he can find a good publisher
when he is finished.
Jim: Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?
Denise: Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. I (go) ………….. to a movie tonight with some friends.
The business cards (be, normally ) …………. printed by a company in New York. Their prices (be) ………….
inexpensive, yet the quality of their work is quite good.
This delicious chocolate (be) …………. made by a small chocolatier in Zurich, Switzerland.
 Answers:
Every Monday, Sally (drive) drives her kids to football practice.
Usually, I (work) work as a secretary at ABT, but this summer I (study) am studying French at a
language school in Paris. That is why I am in Paris.
Shhhhh! Be quiet! John (sleep) is sleeping.
Don't forget to take your umbrella. It (rain) is raining.
I hate living in Seattle because it (rain, always) is always raining.
I'm sorry I can't hear what you (say) are saying because everybody (talk) is talking so loudly.
Justin (write, currently) is currently writing a book about his adventures in Tibet. I hope he can find a
good publisher when he is finished.
Jim: Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?
Denise: Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. I (go) am going to a movie tonight with some friends.
The business cards (be, normally ) are normally printed by a company in New York. Their prices (be)
are inexpensive, yet the quality of their work is quite good.
This delicious chocolate (be) is made by a small chocolatier in Zurich, Switzerland.
 Exercise (2):
Present Continuous and Present Perfect Continuous
1. It (rain) …………. all week. I hope it stops by Saturday because I want to go to the beach.

2. Sid: Where is Gary?

Sarah: He (study, at the library) …………… for his German test on Wednesday. In fact, he (review)
……………. for the test every day for the last week.

3. You look really great! (You, exercise) …………….. at the fitness center ?

4. Frank, where have you been? We (wait) ……………. for you since 1 PM.

5. Tim: What is that sound?

Nancy: A car alarm (ring) …………. somewhere down the street. It (drive) ………… me crazy - I wish
it would stop! It (ring) …………… for more than twenty minutes.
6. Joseph's English (improve, really) …………….. , isn't it? He (watch) ……………… American television
programs and (study) ………………… his grammar every day since he first arrived in San Diego.
Soon he will be totally fluent.

7. Dan: You look a little tired. (You, get) …………… enough sleep lately?
Michelle: Yes, I (sleep) ……………. relatively well. I just look tired because I (feel) ………………. a little
sick for the last week.
Dan: I hope you feel better soon.
Michelle: Thanks. I (take, currently) ……………….. some medicine, so I should feel better in a couple
of days.
 Answers:
1. It (rain) has been raining all week. I hope it stops by Saturday because I want to go to the beach.

2. Sid: Where is Gary?

Sarah: He (study, at the library) is at the library studying for his German test on Wednesday. In fact, he (review)
has been reviewing for the test every day for the last week.

3. You look really great! (You, exercise) have you been exercising at the fitness center ?

4. Frank, where have you been? We (wait) have been waiting for you since 1PM.

5. Tim: What is that sound?

Nancy: A car alarm (ring) is ringing somewhere down the street. It (drive) is driving me crazy - I wish it would
stop! It (ring) has been ringing for more than twenty minutes.

6. Joseph's English (improve, really) is really improving, isn't it? He (watch) has been watching American
television programs and (study) studying his grammar every day since he first arrived in San Diego. Soon he will
be totally fluent.

7. Dan: You look a little tired. (You, get) have you been getting enough sleep lately?
Michelle: Yes, I (sleep) have been sleeping relatively well. I just look tired because I (feel) have been feeling a
little sick for the last week.
Dan: I hope you feel better soon.
Michelle: Thanks. I (take, currently) am currently taking some medicine, so I should feel better in a couple of
days.
 Exercise (3):
Present and Past Tenses with Non- Continuous Verbs
1.
a. Look, I (have) …………… two tickets for the circus.
b. Look, I (hold) ……………. two tickets for the circus.

2. We (wait) ……………… there for more than half an hour by the time the show began.

3. One clown was juggling while he (have) ………….. a glass of wine on his head.

4.
a. I (love) …………. the circus ever since I was a child.
b. I (go) ……………. to the circus ever since I was a child.

5.
a. Right now, I (see) …………. two elephants doing tricks in the ring.
b. Right now, I (look) ……………. at two elephants doing tricks in the ring
Answers:
1.
a. Look, I (have) have two tickets for the circus.
b. Look, I (hold) am holding two tickets for the circus.

2. We (wait) had been waiting there for more than half an hour by the time the show began.

3. One clown was juggling while he (have) had a glass of wine on his head.

4.
a. I (love) have loved the circus ever since I was a child.
b. I (go) have been going to the circus ever since I was a child.

5.
a. Right now, I (see) see two elephants doing tricks in the ring.
b. Right now, I (look) am looking at two elephants doing tricks in the ring.