Present continuous / Signal words

We use the present continuous for things that are happening at the moment of speaking. These things usually last for quite a short time and they are not finished when we are talking about them.

  • I'm working at the moment.
  • Please call back as we are eating dinner now.
  • Julie is sleeping

We can also use present continuous...

  • for something which is happening before and after a given time:

At eight o'clock we are usually having breakfast.
When I get home the children are doing their homework.

  • for something which we think is temporary:

Michael is at university. He's studying history.
I'm working in London for the next two weeks.

  • for something which is new and contrasts with a previous state:

These days most people are using email instead of writing letters.
What sort of clothes are teenagers wearing nowadays? What sort of music are they listening to?

  • to show that something is changing, growing or developing:

The children are growing quickly.
The climate is changing rapidly.
Your English is improving.

  • for something which happens again and again:

It's always raining in London.
They are always arguing.
George is great. He's always laughing.

Note: We normally use always with this use.

2. We use the present continuous tense to talk about the future:

  • for something which has been arranged or planned:

Mary is going to a new school next term.
What are you doing next week?

3. We can use the present continuous to talk about the past:

  • When we are telling a story:
  • When we are summarising the story from a book, film or play etc.:




SIGNAL WORDS

Signal words tell you what tense you have to use. In the Present Progressive these words are used in situations which happen at the time of speaking. 

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