1.2.1: Present Progressive Tense Introduced
- Page ID
- 268922
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Read and Learn
A. Read the story and pay attention to the verb forms in bold letters.
Today, Sarah is working on an important project for her class. She is focusing on her research at the moment because the deadline is approaching fast. This semester, she is taking four difficult courses, so she is studying more than usual. Her classmates are working with her, and they are meeting every week to discuss their progress.
These days, Sarah is spending a lot of time in the library. She is reading articles and writing her thesis chapter by chapter. At the moment, she is reviewing the latest data for her research. When the semester ends, she will have more time to relax, but for now, she is working hard.
B. Answer the questions about the verb forms in the story.
The verbs in bold letters are written in present progressive tense.
The form of the present progressive has two parts: ______________ and ________________
C. Fill in the chart: In the first and second columns of the chart write the verb forms according to how the present progressive is used in the story. Then copy the time expressions from the reading in the third column:
| Actions happening now | Actions happening around this time | Time Expressions |
|
|
|
Uses of the Present Progressive
The present progressive is used to talk about an action or situation that is in progress right now. It started in the past and is probably going to continue into the future. We often use time expressions to show this: right now, at the/this moment, now.
Example:
I am learning grammar right now.
It also shows an action or situation that is continuing for a period around the present time. There are many expressions that show this: this week/ month/year semester, currently, these days, nowada
I am taking English classes this semester.
The present progressive is also used to describe a change or temporary action.
I usually drive to school. This week, I am taking the bus.
Notice that the simple present is used to talk about a habit/routine. The present progressive shows that there is a temporary change.
Time Expressions: Signals Words Used with the Present Progressive
We use time expressions to signal the time that the action is happening. Sometimes we call time expressions signal words.
- at the/this moment
- now
- right now
- this week/semester/month
- currently
- These days/Nowadays
At this moment, my family in Vietnam is eating dinner.
My husband is watching a football game right now.
This semester, I am taking three ESOL classes.
Nowadays, people are communicating face-to--face less often.
Notice in the examples above that time expressions used with the present progressive can come at the beginning of a sentence or at the end of a sentence.
Forms of the Present Progressive
To form the present progressive tense, you need two parts of the verb:
Auxiliary BE (am, is, are) + Present Participle (verb+ing)
| Subject | "Be" Verb | Affirmative Contractions | Present Participle Verb + -ing |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | am | I'm | writing. |
| He/ She/ It | is | He's /She's /It's | sleeping. |
| You/ We/ They | are | You're /We're / They're | watching |
To make a sentence negative with the present progressive, add not between the auxiliary verb (BE) and the present participle (main verb + ing).
subject + auxiliary BE + not + present participle
|
Present Progressive Negative Form |
|||
|
Subject |
Be + NOT / Contraction |
Subject +Contraction +Not |
Verb + ing |
|
I |
am not / (no contraction) |
I'm not |
listening to music at the moment. |
|
You We They |
are not /aren't |
you're not we're not they're not |
playing soccer now. |
|
He She It |
is not / isn't |
He's not She's not It's not |
working this morning. |
Spelling:Present Participle (-ing Verb Form)
Spelling in English can be difficult, but there are some rules to follow when forming the present participle.
Rule 1: With one-syllable words, if the base verb ends in a consonant+1 vowel +consonant (CVC), double the consonant before adding -ing: If there are two vowels between the consonants, do NOT double the last consonant.
| Base Verb | Present Participle |
|---|---|
| hit | hitting |
| plan | planning |
| run | running |
| sing | singing |
| beat | beating |
Rule 2: NEVER double the consonants w, x, or y (e.g., playing). The n is usually not doubled when verbs end in -en (e.g., happening).
Rule 3: With words that have more than one syllable. If the base verb ends in CVC AND the stress is on the last syllable, double the last letter
| Base Verb | Present Participle |
| ReFER | referring |
| BeGIN | beginning |
| HAPPen | happening |
| DeVELop | developing |
Rule 4: If the base verb ends in an -e, remove it before adding -ing.
| Base Verb | Present Participle |
| come | coming |
| ride | riding |
| dance | dancing |
Exercise 1.18: Complete the Table
Rule 5: If the base verb ends in an -c, remove add "k" after the "c"
| Base Verb | Present Participle |
| picnic | picnicking |
| panic | panicking |
Directions: Change the base verbs to the present participle. Use the spelling rules to help you.
| Base Verb | Present Participle |
|---|---|
| take | 1. |
| study | 2. |
| mimic | 3. |
| wait | 4. |
| give | 5. |
| listen | 6. |
| sit | 7. |
| pay | 8. |
| shop | 9. |
| cancel | 10. |
Exercise 1.19: Fill-in-the-blank
Directions: Complete the sentences with the present progressive form of the verb in parentheses.
- The children (watch)___________________ TV right now.
- These days, people (write)_________________ emails instead of letters.
- At the moment, my wife (sit)_________________ on the sofa.
- Jaime and Teresa (buy)_________________ groceries now.
- This week, we (study)_________________ the present progressive tense.
- Tran (do)_________________ her homework in the living room.
- You (think)___________________________about grammar as you do this exercise.
- The people at this party (wear)___________________ beautiful clothes.
- Paula (take) ________________________two classes this semester.
- This year, my son (play)_________________ on the soccer team.
Exercise 1.20: Using the Present Progressive
Part 1 Directions: Complete the story by filling in each blank with the correct positive or negative form of the verb in parentheses in the present progressive tense. Pay attention to the time expressions. Be sure and spell the verbs correctly as described above.
The present progressive has TWO parts: auxiliary BE and the present participle (the main verb + ing).
My Busy Semester
Hi, my name is Laura. I’m having a very busy semester! Right now, I (1) __________________ (study) for my math test, and my friend Jenna (2) __________________ (help) me. We usually work in the library, but today we (3) __________________ (sit) in a coffee shop.
This semester, I (4) __________________ (take) five classes. Usually my brother takes classes, too, but this semester, he (5) __________________(not take) any courses. Currently, he (6) __________________ (work) full-time to earn money to pay for college. Also, he (7) __________________ (help) me with my chemistry class because he took it last semester.
My roommates are busy too. One of them (8) __________________ (learn) to play the guitar, and the other one (9) __________________ (look) for a new job right now. We usually watch movies together in the evening, but tonight we (10) ____________________ (not / watch) movies because we all have homework.
Part 2 Directions: Now go back and choose (by underlining or otherwise marking) the time expressions that signal use of present progressive.
Exercise 1.21: What are you doing now?
Directions: Think about what you and your classmates are doing right now. Work with a partner to write three sentences using the present progressive and time expressions. Every sentence should have a time expression. Include at least one sentence with a negative form. Check your spelling when you are done.
- ______________________________________________________
- ______________________________________________________
- ______________________________________________________
- ______________________________________________________
Exercise 1.22: Negative Forms with Contractions
Directions: Answer the following questions in the negative. Use complete sentences. Use contractions.
Example: Is she shopping right now? No, she isn’t shopping right now.
1. Are you riding the bus right now?
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Are the students reading now?
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Is it raining in Houston today?
_____________________________________________________________________
4. Are you taking 5 classes this semester?
_____________________________________________________________________
5. Is the grammar class beginning right now?
_____________________________________________________________________
6. Is the sun shining in your city today?
_____________________________________________________________________