presente progresivo

The present continuous or progressive present tense

• Structure: S +  verb to be (am / is / are)  + - ing form of a verb + complement.
• Purpose: To describe actions that are happening right now  (NOW).

I) The positive form of the present continuous.

- Remember to use the subject (this may be a subject pronoun or a noun - LESSON 1 Click HERE) plus (+) of the verb to be in the present tense (am / is / are) and complement (optional).

The following is a table of the positive form of the continuous / progressive present.

Table #  1: Positive Form

Common mistakes:

- Students forget to use the verb to be

Example:

a) My father works (BAD) -> My father  IS  working. (Right)

- Sometimes students do not use the -ing form.

b) Robert is playing with my sister (BAD) -> Robert is playing ING  with my sister. (CORRECT)

Remember not to miss the subject. In Spanish "is eating" this tacit Using Subject UN. In English we should always say who does the action (except in the imperative) THEN on "this eating" can the subject be it, she, or it. In English would be "He / she / it is eating" depending on the context.

II) The negative form of the present continuous

The negative form is used by adding "not" after the verb to be in the present tense form. Use contractions.

Table # 2: negative.

Common mistakes:

'Some students place the first negative. Remember to use the S + V + C !!!

a) Do not work with my father (WRONG) -> My father (it is not +) work (CORRECT)

- Students use the no / do not make the negative:

b) She does not play (BAD) -> She is not playing (CORRECT)

III) The form of the question of the present continuous.

We have to put the  verb to be  +  subject  + - ing form  + complement.

Are  you  watching  TV?

Remember that we use the  words of questions  before the structure:

Examples:

- What are you doing? Answer: I am studying English with my  virtual  teacher.

- Where is Peter? Answer: go to the mall.

Table # 3: Inquiry Form

Common mistakes:

- Students do not change the order of the verb to be with the subject:

a) He is working? (BAD) -> Is it working? (CORRECT)

- Students use do or do the questions:

b) Do you study? (BAD) -> Are you studying? (CORRECT)

IV) Let's practice! (Practice exercises)