Present Continous/Progressive Tense

 Present Continous/Progressive Tense

The present continous expresses an activity that in progress at the moment of speaking. It began in the recent past, is continuing at present, and will probably end at some point in the future. Often the activity is of a general nature, something generally in progress this week, this month, this year.

Pattern

(+)  S + tobe + V ing + O

(-)   S + tobe + not + V ing + O

(?)   tobe + S + V ing + O?

There are some common nonprogressive verbs :

·         Mental state                : know, realize, understand, recognize, etc.

·         Emotional state           : like, hate, envy, etc.

·         Possesion                     : posses, own, belong, have*

·         Sense perceptions        : taste*, smell*, hear, feel*, see*.

·         Other existing states   : seem, cost, owe, etc.

*verb with asterisk are also commonly used as progressive verbs with different meaning.

 

                  Examples :

a.       John is sleeping right now.

b.      I don’t need an umbrella because it is not raining.

c.       Am I taking five courses this semester?