Present Continuous VerbsMini-Lessons

By Kaitlyn HinzeWilkes University

Accessing Prior Knowledge

What do we already know about verbs?› Verbs show action› A verb is something you can DO

Let’s give some examples of verbs:talk give sharecatch clean whisperstomp prepare turn

How would you describe the action in this picture?

Chances are… you would say SpongeBob and Patrick are catching jellyfish.

Present Continuous Tense When using a verb, we use the present

continuous tense to show: 1.  An action happening right now. (The dog is barking.)

2.  An action that is happening regularly but isn't finished. (My brother is planning to graduate.)

3.  An action that is happening in a period of time around now. (She is coming over for dinner.)

The present continuous tense is also known as the present progressive tense.

Present Continuous Structure

Verbs in the present continuous tense end in –ing

Sentence Structure:subject  |  be verb in the present tense  | (negation

if needed) main verb + ing  |  object /complement› Example: Jon  |  is  |  giving  |  a presentation in the

meeting now.

Identify the Sentences with Present Continuous Verbs

I like to have hot chocolate in the winter. We are going to the movies tonight. Do you believe we will get that much

snow? He will not listen to his friends. The mechanic is fixing my car. She is studying for her big test. They are rehearsing their lines for the

play. You need to do your chores.

Let’s Practice!Fill in the spaces with the correct form of the verb in present continuous tense. Example: I (play) am playing the piano now. Example: You / We / they (play) are playing the piano now. Example: He / She / It (play) is playing the piano now.

1. I (play) _______ _______ the piano now. 2. You (play) _______ _______ the guitar now. 3. We (play) _______ _______ violins now. 4. They (play) _______ _______ harps now. 5. He (play) _______ _______ the trumpet now. 6. She (play) _______ _______ the flute now.

http://englishforeveryone.org/PDFs/Present_Tense_Exercise_15.pdf

Kick it up a notch…Complete each sentence with one of the verbs in the present continuous tense. Be careful! Sometimes you may

need a question or a negative sentence. Compare your answers with a partner.

visit work do get go study try exercise

1. Tom's busy right now. He ________________ for the big test at the moment.

2. There's an important presentation next Friday. I ________________ almost every night until 11:00 to get it done on time. I'm exhausted!

3. I _______________ my sister for a few days. I'll be in town until Thursday.

4. What ________ you ____________ right now? Do you want to catch a movie?

5. My doctor says that I need to lose weight, so I _______________ these days.

6. At the moment, a lot of people are worried about the price of gas. It ________________ up and up.

7. Sylvia ________________ to save money these days because she needs to buy a new car. Her old one breaks down almost every month!

8. Can you answer the phone? I ________________ ready for tonight's party.

Independent PracticeChoose one of the following pictures. Write a paragraph describing what is happening in the picture. Be sure to include at least 5 sentences with the present continuous tense. Feel free to use your imagination, but definitely add details

to make it interesting!