Page 113 - 657465 _ 0002-0003.indd

Grammar Reference Unit 6

Present continuous Present continuous & present simple

Affirmative Negative Make sure you use the correct present tense. We use the
present simple to talk about regular actions, such as habits
I’m doing athletics. I’m not doing athletics. and routines, and to describe permanent situations and
You’re doing athletics. You aren’t doing athletics. facts. We use the present continuous to talk about actions in
He’s doing athletics. He isn’t doing athletics. progress, and temporary situations.
She’s doing athletics. She isn’t doing athletics. I play in a 5-a-side football team on Saturdays.
Emily’s not at home at the moment. She’s playing basketball.
We’re doing athletics. We aren’t doing athletics.
They’re doing athletics. They aren’t doing athletics.
Do you speak Portuguese?
Questions Short answers You’re speaking very quietly – I can’t hear you.
Am I doing athletics? Yes, I am. / No, I’m not. We study English and French at school.
Are you doing athletics? Yes, you are. / No, you aren’t. I’m studying a lot at the moment because I’ve got exams next week.
Is he doing athletics? Yes, he is. / No, he isn’t.
Is she doing athletics? Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t. Does it snow here in the winter?
Look, it’s snowing!
Are we doing athletics? Yes, we are. / No, we aren’t.
Are they doing athletics? Yes, they are. / No, they aren’t.
State verbs

We form the present continuous with be + -ing form of the State verbs describe our opinions, thoughts, feelings and
main verb. In the negative form, we can also say you’re not, relationships. They are sometimes called stative verbs.
he’s not, she’s not, we’re not, they’re not.
It’s not raining today. She’s not feeling well.
Common state verbs:
agree appear believe belong contain depend disagree dislike
SPELLING RULES -ing forms doubt enjoy feel fit hate hear know like love matter mean
The -ing form is the main verb + -ing. need owe own prefer promise realize recognize remember
● If a verb ends in -e, we normally omit it in the -ing form: seem sound suppose surprise taste think understand want
make – making write – writing weigh wish
● If a one-syllable verb ends in consonant + vowel +
consonant, we usually double the final consonant: We usually use state verbs in the present simple, not the
run – running swim – swimming sit – sitting present continuous.
● We do the same with two syllable verbs with the stress What do you think about the new James Bond film?
on the last syllable: begin – beginning prefer – preferring Liam hates scary films but I love them!
I don’t recognize that girl. Who is she?
We use the present continuous to talk about activities in I suppose it’s time to leave.
progress at the time of speaking. I don’t believe you.
It’s raining. These jeans don’t really fit me now.
We’re doing our homework.
In modern spoken English, a lot of people use like, love and
We also use the present continuous to talk about temporary hate in the present continuous for a temporary feeling.
situations. I’m not liking this film very much.
We’re staying in a really nice hotel by the beach. I’m hating school at the moment.
My brother is living in Italy for a year.
Some state verbs have alternative, non-state meanings, and
We also use the present continuous to talk about temporary can be used with the present continuous when they don’t
actions which are happening around the time of speaking, if refer to a state.
not exactly that that moment. I think you’re wrong. (think = have an opinion)
I’m reading a really interesting book at the moment. What are you thinking about? (think = use your mind at this
My brother’s really tired because he’s studying for his exams. moment)
This sandwich doesn’t taste great. (taste = have a nice taste)
See page 122 for use of present continuous for future plans. I’m tasting the milk to see if it’s still OK. (taste = try)

114

657594 _ 0113-0121.indd 114 17/05/2017 14:30