A2 Grammar: Present Continuous

A2 Grammar: Present Continuous
ESL Structure Curriculum

ESL Grammar Course

A2: Elementary

An image showing an action in progress, like someone running or talking.

Present Continuous

The Present Continuous (also called Present Progressive) is used to talk about actions that are happening right now, at this very moment, or for temporary situations that are currently in progress.

Structure:

`subject + am/is/are + verb-ing`

⚠️ Attention: Common Challenges

1. Dynamic vs. Stative Verbs: The biggest challenge is knowing which verbs cannot be used in the continuous form. These are called “stative verbs” and they describe states, not actions.

  • Feelings: like, love, hate, want, need
  • Thoughts: know, believe, remember, understand
  • Senses: see, hear, smell, seem
  • Possession: have, own, belong
  • Correct: “I understand you.” (Incorrect: I am understanding you.)
  • Correct: “She has a car.” (Incorrect: She is having a car.)

Practice Quiz

1. Look! The children ____ in the park.

2. Please be quiet. I ____ to concentrate.

3. Why ____ you ____ at me like that?

4. I ____ this movie is very interesting.

5. She ____ with her parents this week because her apartment is being painted.

6. My brother ____ a new car. He bought it yesterday.

7. What book ____ you ____ at the moment?

8. He usually walks to work, but today he ____ the bus.

9. I ____ what you mean. Can you explain it again?

10. The company’s profits ____ this year.