1.
We use the present continuous when we talk about
something that is happening at the time of speaking (justo
ahora: now, at the moment).
Please,
don't make so much noise. I am studying.
Where is Paul? He's having
a bath.
Let's go out. It isn't raining
any more.
(At the party) Are you enjoying
the party?
2.
We
also use the present continuous when we talk about something
which is happening around the time
of speaking, but not necessarily exactly at the
time of speaking. (en esta época).
Tom
and Ann are talking in
a café. Tom says: "I am
reading a very interesting book at the moment.
I'll lend it to you when I've finished it". ("talk"
= case 1; "read" = case 2)
Silvia is learning French
/ They are building their
own house
3.
We
often use the present continuous when we talk about a
period around the present. For example, with "today",
"this year", etc. (ESTE AÑO, ETC.)
You're
training hard (Yes, I have a lot to do this year.
I've got a competition.)
We're not playing this season
["No jugamos esta temporada". Aquí también
podríamos traducir el present continuous por la
perífrasis verbal "ir a + verbo" = No
vamos a jugar esta temporada.]
4.
We
use the present continuous when we talk about changing
situations. (ESTÁ CAMBIANDO)
The
population of the world is rising
very fast
Is your English getting
better?
5.
The
present continuous can have a future
meaning. We use it here instead of the Near Future
(to be + going to + V), this is, when we are talking about
what we have already arranged to do. (IR A + VERBO)
What
are you doing
tomorrow evening? I'm going
to the theatre.
Are you meeting
your friends tomorrow?
Yes, we're going out for
a drink.
I'm sorry, I cannot go - I'm working
on/next Sunday.
We could also say:
What are you going
to do tomorrow evening? / I am
going (to go) to the theatre. / Are
you going to meet your friends
tomorrow? / Yes, we're going (to
go) out for a drink. / I'm sorry, I cannot go -
I'm going to work …
Note:
When we use the present continuous it is necessary to
add a time reference (see
"tomorrow, tomorrow evening, on/next Sunday")
so we know it refers to the future
and not to the present. With the verbs GO and COME it
is not necessary to add the time reference.
EXERCISES
A.
Fill in the blanks putting the verb in the correct form.
Please
don't make so much noise. I am studying (study)
Let's go out now. It isn't raining any more (not/raining)
Listen to those people. What language are they speaking?
(they/speak)
1.
Please be quiet. I ............................ to concentrate
(try)
2. Look! It ............................. (snow)
3. Why ............................. at me like that?
(you/look)
4. You ............................. a lot of noise. Can
you be a bit quieter? (make)
5. Excuse me, I .............................. for a phone
box. Is there one near here? (look)
6. (In the cinema) It's a good film, isn't it? .........................................
it? (you/enjoy)
7. Listen... Can you hear the people next door? ..................…........
at each other again. (they/shout)
8. Why .................................... your coat
today? It's very warm. (you/wear)
9. I .................................. this week. I'm
on holiday. (not/work)
10. I want to lose weight. I ............................
anything today. (not/eat)
B.
Translate. Remember to use the present continuous.
Loey and Kay meet in a restaurant.
Loey:
Hello, Kay. I haven't seen you for ages. ..............................................................................
["¿Qué haces últimamente?".
Últimamente = these days/lately]
Kay: ...............................................................................................................................................
["Estoy aprendiendo inglés para conseguir
un curro mejor"]
Loey: Really? ................................................................................................................................
["¿Te gusta?". Nota:
No se preguntaría con "to like" porque
este verbo nunca se conjuga en un "continuous tense".
En inglés se diría "¿lo estás
disfrutando?/¿te está gustando?/¿te
lo estás pasando bien?", que es el verbo "to
enjoy" + la actividad o cosa que se disfrute (es
que al ser un verbo transitivo tiene que llevar a la fuerza
el complemento directo, que normalmente será "it"
o "them (si es plural)"]
Kay: Yes, it's quite interesting. How about you?
Loey: .............................................................................................................................................
["Pues yo no estoy trabajando ahora, pero estoy muy
ocupada. Me estoy construyendo una casa". Ahora =
at the moment/now]
Kay:................................................................................................................................................
[¿De veras? ¿Lo estás haciendo sola?]
Loey: ..............................................................................................................................................
[No, me están ayudando unas amigas (mías)]
C.
Translate (present continuous with a future meaning)
1. ¿Qué vas a hacer mañana por la
noche? (o "¿Qué haces mañana
por la noche?")
2. Voy a ir al teatro (o "Voy al teatro")
3. ¿Vas a quedar con tus amigos esta noche?
4. Mañana trabajo (o "Mañana voy a
trabajar")
5. Me marcho el viernes por la mañana
6. Nos vamos a quedar en Londres dos semanas
7. Vamos a quedarnos en un hotel muy barato
8. Vamos a salir a tomar algo
D.
Translate (present continuous as a present and as a future)
1. Estoy leyendo un libro muy emocionante
2. ¿Dónde vamos esta noche?
3. ¿Qué haces? (o "¿Qué
estás haciendo?")
4. ¿Quién va a venir?
5. Espera, no estoy escuchándote
6. Estoy escuchando unos discos viejos de mi hermano
7. Mi amiga está terminando sus estudios
8. No voy a alquilar este coche
9. ¿Me estás tomando el pelo?
10. No me lo estoy pasando nada bien en esta fiesta
[No estoy disfrutando esta fiesta nada de nada]
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