Present Continuous Tense

Base Form :

Subject + am/is/are (to be) + Verb -ing

Examples:
You are watching TV.
Are you watching TV?
You are not watching TV.

The present continuous tense (real present), is a better introduction to the verb
than the simple present. The verb be is already known the ing form of the verb
is regular, and statements and questions in this tense have immediate practical
value. It is obvious that the form Do you write? Do you catch the chalk? Do you
go to the door?cannotbe easily practiced, whereas the form Are you writing,
going to the door, speaking, etc., can.
Key Differences from Present Simple Tense
Present Simple
Habitual actions, General truths
Not necessarily NOW

Present Continuous
The real present
Occurs NOW, in this moment

Note : The present continuous tense can also be used when explaining an event
which arent being done at the time of speaking but being done and the process
is still continuing (not happening at that time, but the process is still effective),
example :
Im now working at a mall. (You can say this sentence anytime as long as
you still work there)
He is reading a novel called Twilight at the time being. (Maybe he is not
reading at the time of
speaking, but he is currently
reading the novel)
Uses of Present Continuous Tense can be varied into 5 uses, which are :

1. Events which occurs now (At the time of speaking)

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Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that
something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show
that something is not happening now.
Examples:
You are learning English now.
You are not swimming now.
Are you sleeping?
I am sitting.
I am not standing.
Is he sitting or standing?
They are reading their books.
They are not watching television.
What are you doing?
Why aren't you doing your homework?

2.

Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this
century, and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we
are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we
might not be doing it at this exact second.
Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a
restaurant.)
I am studying to become a doctor.
I am not studying to become a dentist.
I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
Are you working on any special projects at work?
Aren't you teaching at the university now?

3.

Near Future (Also called Present Progressive)

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Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will
or will not happen in the near future.

Examples:
I am meeting some friends after work.
I am not going to the party tonight.
Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
Isn't he coming with us tonight?

4.

Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses

the idea that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the
meaning is like Simple Present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put the
words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."
Examples:
She is always coming to class late.
He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.

Extra : Passive Voice

Examples:
Right now, Tom is writing the letter. ACTIVE
Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. PASSIVE

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Future Tense (will/shall + verb) + going to

Base Form :

Subject + will/shall + Verb

1. We use Ill (= I will) when we decide to do something at the time of

speaking:
Oh, Ive left the door open. Ill go and shut it.
What would you like to drink?
Ill have an orange juice, please.
Did you phone Lucy?
Oh no, I forgot. Ill phone her now.
You cannot use the present simple (I do /I go etc.) in these sentences:
Ill go and shut the door. (not I go and shut)
We often use I think Ill ... and I dont think Ill...:
I feel a bit hungry. I think Ill have something to eat.
I dont think Ill go out tonight. Im too tired.
In spoken English the negative of will is usually wont (= will not):
I can see youre busy, so I wont stay long.

2. Do not use will to talk about what you have already decided or arranged
to do :
Im going on holiday next Saturday. (not Ill go)
Are you working tomorrow? (not Will you work)

3. We often use will in these situations:

a. Offering to do something
That bag looks heavy. Ill help you with it. (not I help)
b. Agreeing to do something
A: Can you give Tim this book?
B: Sure, Ill give it to him when I see him this afternoon.
c. Promising to do something
Thanks for lending me the money. Ill pay you back on Friday.
I wont tell anyone what happened. I promise.
d. Asking somebody to do something (Will you ...?)
Will you please turn the stereo down? Im trying to concentrate.

4. You can use wont to say that somebody refuses to do something:

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Ive tried to give her advice, but she wont listen.

The car wont start. (= the car refuses to start)

5. Uses of Shall :
Shall is used mostly in the questions shall I ? / shall we ?
We use shall I ? / shall we ? to ask somebodys opinion (especially in offers or
suggestions):

Shall I open the window? (= Do you want me to open the window?)

Ive got no money. What shall I do? (= What do you suggest?)
Shall we go? Just a minute. Im not ready yet.
Where shall we go this evening?
Compare shall I ?and will you ?:
Shall I shut the door? (= Do you want me to shut it?)
Will you shut the door? (= I want you to shut it)

I shall ... / we shall ...

Normally we use shall only with I and we. You can say:
I shall or I will (Ill)we shall or we will (well)

I shall be late this evening. (or I will be)

We shall probably go to Scotland in the summer. (or We will probably go)
In spoken English we normally use Ill and well:
Well probably go to Scotland.
The negative of shall is shall not or shant:
I shant be here tomorrow. (or I wont be)
Do not use shall with he/she/it/you/they:
She will be very angry. (not She shall be)

6. We do not use will to say what somebody has already arranged or decided
to do:

Diane is working next week. (not Diane will work)

Are you going to watch television this evening? (not Will you watch)
For is working and Are you going to ... ?,
But often, when we talk about the future, we are not talking about what
somebody has decided to do. For example:
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Kate is doing an exam next week. Chris and

Shell
Joe are talking about it.

pass does not mean she

has decided to pass. Joe is

saying what he knows or thinks
will happen.
He is predicting the future.
When we predict a future
happening or situation, we

7. Going To
7.1.
I am going to do something = I have already decided to do it, I
intend to do it:
A: Are you going to watch the late film on TV tonight?
B: No, Im going to have an early night.
A: I hear Sarah has won some money. What is she going to do with it?
B: Shes going to buy a new car.
Im just going to make a quick phone call. Can you wait for me?
This cheese looks horrible. Im not going to eat it.
7.2.
I am doing and I am going to do
We use I am doing (present continuous) when we say what we
have arranged to do - for example, arranged to meet somebody, arranged to
go somewhere:
What time are you meeting Ann this evening?
Im leaving tomorrow. Ive got my plane ticket.
I am going to do something = Ive decided to do it (but perhaps
not arranged to do it):
Your shoes are dirty.
Yes, I know. Im going to clean them. (= Ive
decided to clean them, but I havent arranged to clean them)
Ive decided not to stay here any longer. Tomorrow Im going to look for
somewhere else to stay.
Often the difference is very small and either form is possible.
7.3.
We can also say that something is going to happen in the future.
For example:
The man cant see the wall in
front
of
him.
He is going to walk into the wall.
When we say that something is
going to happen, the situation
now
makes
this
clear.
The man is walking towards the
wall now, so we can see that he
is going to walk into it.

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Some more examples:

Look at those black clouds! Its going to rain. (the clouds are there now)
I feel terrible. I think Im going to be sick. (I feel terrible now)
The economic situation is bad now and things are going to get worse.

7.4.
I was going to (do something) = I intended to do it, but didnt do
it:
We were going to travel by train, but then we decided to go by car
instead.
Peter was going to do the exam, but he changed his mind.
I was just going to cross the road when somebody shouted Stop!
You can say that something was going to happen (but didnt happen):
I thought it was going to rain, but it didnt.

8. Will and Going To (Key Differences)

8.1.

Future Actions
Sue is talking to Helen:

will (ll): We use will when

we decide to do something at
the time of speaking. The
speaker has not decided
before. The party is a new
idea.

to:
We
use
Later that day, Helen meets Dave: (be) going
(be) going
to when
we
have already decided to do
something. Helen had already
decided to invite lots of
people before she spoke to

Compare:
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Gary phoned while you were out.

OK. Ill call him back.
Gary phoned while you were out.
Yes, I know. Im going to call him
back.
Ann is in hospital.
Oh really? I didnt know. Ill go and visit her.
Ann is in hospital.
Yes, I know. Im going to visit her this evening.

8.2.

Future happenings and situations (predicting the future)

Sometimes there is not much difference between will and going to. For
example, you can say:
I think the weather will be nice this afternoon.
I think the weather is going to be nice this afternoon.
When we say something is going to happen, we think this is because of
the situation now. For example: (Do not use will in this type of situation)
Look at those black clouds. Its going to rain. (not It will rain)
(We can see that it is going to rain from the clouds that are in the
sky now.)
I feel terrible. I think Im going to be sick. (not I think Ill be sick)
(I think Im going to be sick because I feel terrible now.)
In other situations, use will:
Tom will probably get here at about 8 oclock.
I think Sarah will like the present we bought for her.
These shoes are very well-made. Theyll last a long time.

A SONG USING PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE AND FUTURE TENSE

Things Ill Never Say (AvrilLavigne)
Ladatadataladatadatadadadatadadadadadadada
I'm tuggin' at my fur
I'm pullin' at my moe
I'm tryin' not to drool
I know it shows
I'm staring at my paws
My bum cheeks are turning red
And I'm searching for the fleas inside my bed
'Cause I'm feeling nervous
Tryin' to be so perfect
'Cause I know you're worthless, you're worthless
Yeah...
If I could find my other shoe
I'd say I want to blow you ohhhh
I would rape you every night
Am I squeezing you too tight?
If I could see what I want to see
I want to see you go down on me
Marry me today
Guess I'm wishing my life away

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Because I know that your not gay

It don't do me any good it's just a waste of time
What use is it to you what's on my washing line
If the shit ain'tcomin' out, its not going anywhere
So why can't I just tell you that its there?
'Cause I'm feeling nervous
Tryin' to be so perfect
'Cause I know you're worthless, you're worthless
Yeah...
If I could find my other shoe
I'd say I want to blow you
I would rape you every night
Am I squeezing you too tight?
If I could see what I want to see
I want to see you go down on me
Marry me today
Guess I'm wishing my life away
Because I know that your not gay
(What is)What's wrong with my tongue?
Your dick keeps slipping away
(I slutter)I slutter (I mumble)I mumble because your not gay
'Cause I'm feeling nervous
Trying to be so perfect
'Cause I know you're worthless, you're worthless
Yeah...

Ladatadataladatadatadadadatadadadadadadada
Ladatadataladatadatadadadatadadadadadadada
I guess I'm wishing my life away
because I know that your not gay
If I could find my other shoe
I'd say I want to blow you
I would rape you every night
Am I squeezing you too tight?
If I could see what I want to see
I want to see you go down on me
Marry me today
Guess I'm wishing my life away
Because I know that your not gay
Because I know that your not gay

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