PRESENT CONTINUOUS

 Study this example situation:

 Ann is in her car. She is on her way to work. She is driving to work.

This means: she is driving now, at the time of speaking.

1.       We use the present continuous when we talk about something which is happening at the time of speaking.

-          Please don’t make so much noise. I’m studying.

-          ‘Where is Margaret?’ “She is having a bath.”

-          Let’s go out now. It isn’t raining anymore.

-          (at a party) Hello, Ann. Are you enjoying the party?

2.       We also use the present continuous when we talk about something which is happening around the time of speaking, but not necessarily exatcly at the time of speaking.

-          Tom and Ann are talking and drinking in a cafe. Tom says: “I’m reading an interesting book at the moment. I’ll lend it to you when I’ve finished.”

(Tom is not reading the book at the time of speaking. He means that he has begun the reading and hasn’t finished yet. He is in the middle of reading it)

-          Silvia is learning English at the moment.

-          Have you heard about Tom? He is building his own house.

3.       We often use the present continuous when we talk about a period around the present. Example: today, this season, etc.

-          “You are working hard today.” “Yes, I have a lot to do.”

-          Tom isn’t playing football this season. He wants to concentrate on his studies.

4.       We use the present continuous when we talk about changing situations.

-          The population of the world is rising very fast.

-          Is your English getting better?