Kategori: English Grammar in Use

Present continuous (I am doing)

A Study this example situation :

Sarah is in her car. She is on her way to work.
She is driving to work. (= She is driving …)

This means : she is driving now, at the time of speaking. The action is not finished.

am / is / are + -ing is the present continuous :

I	am	( = I’m)	driving
he / she / it	is	( = he’s etc.)	working
we / you / they	are	( = we’re etc.)	doing etc.

B I am doing something = I started doing it and I haven’t finished ; I’m in the middle of doing it.

○ Please don’t make so much noise. I’m trying to work. (not I try)
○ ‘Where’s Mark?’ ‘He’s having a shower.’ (not He has a shower)
○ Let’s go out now. It isn’t raining any more. (not lt doesn’t rain)
○ How’s your new job? Are you enjoying it?
○ What’s all that noise? What’s going on? or What’s happening?

Sometimes the action is not happening at the time of speaking. For example:

Steve is talking to a friend on the phone. He says :
I’m reading a really good book at the moment. it’s about a man who …

Steve says ‘I’m reading …’ but he is not reading the book at the time of speaking.
He means that he has started reading the book, but has not finished it yet. He is in the middle of reading it.

Some more examples :
○ Kate wants to work in Italy, so she’s learning Italian. (but perhaps she isn’t learning Italian at the time of speaking)
○ Some friends of mine are building their own house. They hope to finish it next summer.

BRITISH ENGLISH- CEF LEVEL: B1 – B2

1.) Present and Past

Unit 1 : Present continuous (I am doing)

1.1 What’s happening in the pictures? Choose from these verbs:

1. She’s taking a picture.
2. He’s tying a shoelace.
3. They’re crossing the road.
4. He’s scratching his head.
5. She’s hiding behind a tree.
6. They’re waving to somebody.

1.2 The sentences on the right follow those on the left . Which sentence goes with which?

1. Please don’t make so much noise. I’m trying to work.
2. We need to leave soon. It’s getting late.
3. I don’t have anywhere to live right now. I’m staying with friends.
4. I need to eat something soon. I’m getting hungry.
5. They don’t need their car any more. They’re trying to sell it.
6. Things are not so good at work. The company is losing money.
7. It isn’t true what they say. They’re lying.
8. We’re going to get wet. It’s starting to rain.

1.3 Write questions. Use the present continuous.

1. What’s all that noise? What’s happening?
2. What’s the matter? Why are you crying?
3. Where’s your mother? Is she working today?
4. I haven’t seen you for ages. What are you doing these days?
5. Amy is a student. What is she studying?
6. Who are those people? What are they doing?
7. I heard you started a new job. Are you enjoying it?
8. We’re not in a hurry. Why are you walking so fast?

1.4 Put the verb into the correct form, positive (I’m doing etc.) or negative (I’m not doing etc.).

1. Please don’t make so much noise. I’m trying to work.
2. Let’s go out now. It isn’t raining any more.
3. You can turn off the radio. I’m not listening to it.
4. Kate phoned last night. She’s on holiday with friends. She is having a great time and doesn’t want to come back.
5. Andrew started evening classes recently. He is learning Japanese.
6. Paul and Sarah have had an argument and now they aren’t speaking to one another.
7. The situation is already very bad and now it is getting worse.
8. Tim isn’t working today. He’s taken the day off .
9. I am looking for Sophie. Do you know where she is?
10. The washing machine has been repaired. It is working now.
11. They are building a new hospital. It will be finished next year.
12. Ben is a student, but he’s not very happy. He isn’t enjoying his course.
13. The weather is changing. Look at those clouds. I think it’s going to rain.
14. Dan has been in the same job for a long time. He is starting to get bored with it.

Unit 2 : Present simple (I do)

2.1 Complete the sentences using the following verbs:

1. Tanya speaks German very well.
2. Ben and Jack go to the same school.
3. Bad driving causes many accidents.
4. The museum closes at 4 o’clock on Sundays.
5. My parents live in a very small flat.
6. The Olympic Games place take every four years.
7. The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

2.2 Put the verb into the correct form.

1. Julia doesn’t drink tea very often.
2. What time do the banks close here?
3. I have a car, but I don’t use it much.
4. Where does Maria come from? Is she Spanish?
5. ‘What do you do?’ ‘I’m an electrician.’
6. Look at this sentence. What does this word mean?
7. David isn’t very fit. He doesn’t do any sport.
8. It takes me an hour to get to work in the morning. How long does it take you?

2.3 Complete the sentences using these verbs. Sometimes you need the negative.

1. The earth goes round the sun.
2. Rice doesn’t grow in cold climates.
3. The sun rises in the east.
4. Bees make honey.
5. Vegetarians don’t eat meat.
6. An atheist doesn’t believe in God.
7. An interpreter translate from one language into another.
8. Liars are people who don’t tell the truth.
9. The River Amazon flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

2.4 You ask Lisa questions about herself and her family. Write the questions.

1. You know that Lisa plays tennis. You want to know how often. Ask her.
   How often do you play tennis ?
2. Perhaps Lisa’s sister plays tennis too. You want to know. Ask Lisa.
   Does your sister play tennis?
3. You know that Lisa goes to the cinema a lot. You want to know how often. Ask her.
   How often do you go to the cinema?
4. You know that Lisa’s brother works. You want to know what he does. Ask Lisa.
   What does your brother do?
5. You’re not sure whether Lisa speaks Spanish. You want to know. Ask her.
   Do you speak spanish?
6. You don’t know where Lisa’s grandparents live. You want to know. Ask Lisa.
   Where do your grandparents live?

2.5 Complete using the following:

1. Mr Evans is not in the office today. I suggest you try calling him tomorrow.
2. I won’t tell anybody what you said. I promise.
3. (in a restaurant) You must let me pay for the meal. I insist.
4. I apologise for what I said. I shouldn’t have said it. I apologise.
5. The new restaurant in Baker Street is very good. I recommend it.
6. I think you’re absolutely right. I agree with you.

Unit 3 : Present continuous and present simple 1

Unit 4 : Present continuous and present simple 2

Unit 5 : Past simple

Unit 6 : Past continuous