The present progressive
What is
the present progressive?
The present progressive/continuous
tense is used for something happening
NOW
•
•
•
•
•
•
I am looking at the teacher.
You/We/They are looking at the teacher.
He/She is looking at the teacher.
NEGATIVE
I am not looking at the teacher now
You/we/they are not looking at the teacher
now
How do you make a present
progressive question?
•
•
•
•
Am I looking at the teacher?
Are you/we/they looking at the teacher?
Is he/she looking at the teacher?
Are we/they looking at the teacher?
Present continuous can also be used to
talk about the future
• Ate you doing anything next week?
• I’m traveling to Italy on holiday
Write down five things happening in
the classroom right now
• We are looking at the whiteboard
• We are watching the teacher talk about the
present progressive
• We are going to watch a video on the present
progressive
• We will be using worksheets to practice
writing in the present progressive
• We will practice our writing skills
An action happening at the moment of
speaking
• Peter is reading a book now.
• She is watching TV as Peter reads.
A fixed plan in the near future
• I will be going to the dentist on Saturday.
• She will be going shopping in an hour.
• Mom and dad always shop on Saturday
morning
Temporary actions
• His father is going to Rome this month.
• She is going to wash her dirty car.
Actions happening around the
moment of speaking (longer actions)
• I will be preparing my lesson plans this
weekend.
• My friend is preparing for his exams.
• They will be driving to Salem, Massachusetts
to celebrate Halloween this weekend.
Trends = something happening now
that is really new
• More and more people are using their
computers to listen to music
• President Obama is the first president to
twitter about his activities and thoughts
• Governor Malloy is televising his good deeds
to get our votes
Repeated actions (irritating) that
include always, constantly, forever
• Andrew is always coming late.
• Now that it is the weekend the weather
forecast is for rain.
• At the moment, she is unable to seat any
more people in the restaurant.
• If you listen, you will understand why I cannot
help you right now.
• The present progressive can suggest that an
action is going to happen in the future,
especially with verbs that convey the idea of
a plan or of movement from one place or
condition to another: "The team is arriving in
two hours. He's moving to Portland this
summer." Because the present progressive
can suggest either the present or the future,
it is usually modified by adverbs of time.
Singular
plural
I am walking
We are walking
You are walking
You’re walking
He/she/it is
walking
They are walking
OTHER EXAMPLES OF PRESENT
PROGRESSIVE
1. The Chicago Bulls sometimes
practice in this gymnasium.
2. Dr. Espinoza operates according
to her own schedule.
3. Coach Calhoun recruits from
countries outside the U.S.A.
OTHER EXAMPLES:
Tashonda tells me she has committed
to UConn.
We work really hard to make this a
success, and then look what happens.
Every time that kid finishes a
sandcastle, the waves come in and
wash it away.
The shipment arrives tomorrow at 2
p.m.
Present Progressive = Exercise 1
Change the verb into the correct form.
1. Anna ______ (rest) right now.
2 I ___ (talk) on the phone at this moment.
3. Bella ____(cook) dinner now.
4. They ___(help) the teacher right now.
5. He _____(run) very fast!
6. Julia ____(bake) a chocolate cake at the
moment.
7. I ____(have) fun.
EXERCISE 1 (Continued)
8 You ____(dance) very nicely.
9 They _____ (answer) all the questions.
10 John _____ (eat) Salad, and I am eating fish.
11 Marta _____(drive), and Chris is sleeping.
12 It ____(rain).
13 I ____(write) my homework.
14 We ____(work) on the new show right now.
15 Kate ____(lie) in bed now.
ANSWERS:
1. Anna is resting (rest) right now.
2. I am talking (talk) on the phone at
this moment.
3. Bella is cooking (cook) dinner now.
4. They are helping (help) the teacher
right now.
5. He is running (run) very fast!
6. Julia is baking (bake) a chocolate
cake at the moment.
7. I am having (have) fun!
8. You are dancing (dance) very nicely.
9. They are answering (answer) all the
questions.
10. John is eating (eat) Salad, and I am eating
fish.
11. Marta is driving (drive), and Chris is
sleeping (sleep).
12. It is raining (rain).
13. I am writing (write) my homework. 14.
We are working (work) on the new show right
now.
15. Kate is lying (lie) in bed now.
Progressive – Exercise 02 Present
• Change the verb into the correct form.
1. We (renovate) our house this week..
2. She (paint) her room today.
3. I (write) a book these days.
4. They (try) to sell their car.
5. You (look) good today.
6. He (study) to be a lawyer.
Progressive – Exercise 02 Present
page 2
• 7. This table (break) apart.
8. Oliver (help) me with my homework these
days.
9. Luke (become) more and more handsome.
10. I (work) on my accent.
11. You (change) your work place.
12. She (have) a hard time.
13. This month we (stay) with my Sister.
14. Eva (look) for a roommate.
15. They (study) Spanish this summer.
Answers to Exercise 2
• Change the verb into the correct form:
1. We are renovating (renovate) our house this
week.
2. She is painting (paint) her room today.
3. I am writing (write) a book these days.
4. They are trying (try) to sell their car.
5. You are looking (look) good today.
6. He is studying (study) to be a lawyer.
7. This table is breaking (break) apart.
8. Oliver is helping (help) me with my
homework these days.
2- Answers (cont)
9. Luke is becoming (become) more and more
handsome.
10. I am working (work) on my accent.
11. You are changing (change) your work
place.
12. She is having (have) a hard time.
13. This month we are staying (stay) with my
Sister.
14. Eva is looking (look) for a roommate.
15. They are studying (study) Spanish this
summer.
Present Progressive – Class Group
Assignment
• Change the verb into the correct form:
1. We (go) to the movies tonight.
2. She (leave) to London tomorrow morning.
3. Jenny (come) back from New York
tomorrow.
4. I (visit) Lisa next week.
5. You (work) on the big project after lunch.
6. They (sing) at our club next month.
ASSIGNMENT 3 (cont)
• 7. Mark (meet) me for lunch.
8. Tracy (bring) the package later today.
9. I (swim) this evening.
10. You (take) the car with you tomorrow.
11. Peter (help) me with the garden on the
weekend.
12. Maya (go back) tonight.
13. We (make) a party on Sunday.
14. They (get married) next month.
15. Alexis (take) us to the zoo tomorrow.
Present Progressive – Exercise 04
(This is an angry exercise…)
• Change the verb into the correct form:
1. She (always come) late!
2. He (always break) something!
3. We (always stay) too late.
4. They (always fight).
5. I (always forget) by papers.
6. You (always smoke)!
7. This guy ___ (always shout).
8. It __ (always rain) in this place.
Present Progressive –Exercise a4
(continued)
9. I __ (always prepare) too much food.
10. This girl __ (always flirt) with someone!
REVIEW
• Let’s look at a movie clip and work on the
LEARN ENGLISH EXERCISE
• http://bit.ly/JwTawJ
The game review
http://www.eslgamesplus.com/prese
nt-progressive-continuous-eslgrammar-fun-game-online/