When do you use
the present progressive tense? To talk about actions in the present, or
things that are still going on or happening now. For example:
Mom
is knitting a sweater for Sally.
I am
writing a letter.
The
phone is ringing.
I’m
playing chess with my friend.
She’s
riding a horse.
He’s
taking a walk in the park.
The
man’s counting the money.
They
are practicing tai chi.
We’re
rushing to the airport to meet Mr. Smith.
They
are still sleeping.
They
are swimming in the sea.
What
are they doing?
What’s
happening?
Why aren’t
you doing your homework?
Aren’t
I sitting up straight?
Form
the present progressive tense like this:
am +
present participle
is +
present participle
are
+ present participle
The present
participle is the form of a verb ending with -ing. For example:
show
+ ing = showing
come
+ ing = coming
You
have to double the last letter of some verbs before you add -ing. For example:
get
+ ing = getting
rob
+ ing = robbing
nod
+ ing = nodding
stop
+ ing = stopping
jog
+ ing = jogging
swim
+ ing = swimming
Notice that the
verbs above are all short verbs of just one syllable. They all
end with a consonant such as b, d, g, m, p, t and have only one vowel before
the consonant.
If a verb ends
in e, you usually have to drop the e before you add -ing. For example:
chase
+ ing = chasing
cycle
+ ing = cycling
drive
+ ing = driving
smile
+ ing = smiling
Use the present
progressive tense to talk about things you have planned to do, or things that
are going to happen in the future. To form the present progressive tense, use
am, is and are as helping verbs or auxiliary verbs. For example:
When
are you taking me to the zoo?
We are
having a barbecue later this evening.
We are
going camping tomorrow.
I’m
starting piano lessons soon.
Jim’s
parents are taking him to Texas next week.
My
favorite TV program is starting in a minute.
All
our friends are coming.
Who’s
bringing salad for the barbecue? I am.
I am
visiting Joe next week.
Where
are you going for your vacation?
What
are we eating for dinner?
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