Presentcontinuous tense uses. 1. To talk about ongoing actions. This is the most common use of the Present Continuous in English. Here, we talk about actions that are going on at the time of speaking. You can also talk about actions that are not happening at the time of speaking or ask about the happening of actions. Whatare signal words for the Simple Present? These words tell you what tense you have to use. For the Simple Present these are adverbs of frequency: always; often; usually; sometimes; seldom; never; Other phrases of time can occur, like: every day; every week; every year; on Mondays; after school Definitionof the Present Continuous Tense. The Cambridge Dictionary defines the 'present continuous tense' as "the verb form used for actions or events that are happening or developing now." According to the Collins Dictionary, the present continuous tense is defined as "a verb form consisting of an auxiliary be in the present tense followed by a present participle and used Presentperfect continuous signal words. Present perfect continuous rules and examples. Present perfect progressive signal words. all (day), how long ?, since, for, the whole (morning/ afternoon/ week/ year) . Present Perfect Continuous - Signal words. Present Perfect Continuous: Fill in the correct signal words. ThePresent Progressive or Present Continuous tense describes the actions happening in the present moment. the Present Progressive is used to express actions that take place at the time of speaking. Present Progressive Tense uses: Formation of the Present Progressive. More Examples of sentences in the Present Progressive. UHpww. Key words and expressions that refer to certain tensesTable of contents – signal wordsOn this page you will find the followingSignal words for English verb tensesFurther explanations and exercisesWhat are signal words and which ones are there?When learning a language, we sometimes come across the term signal word. Basically, it refers to expressions that indicate the use of particular verb tenses. Such phrases can be single words, typical word combinations, or groups of words in most cases adverbials, or even whole sentences. The advantage for language learners and, in this case, mainly for English learners is clear If we want to construct a sentence with one of those expressions, we can mostly rely on the tense that goes with it and conjugate the verb careful! However, it is essential to know that signal words are valid often or even very often but never in every most important signal words in the English language for grammatical verb tenses are the followingThe present simple offers these very typical signal words that show regularities that means how often something happensregularly, usually, every year, every day, normally, often, rarely etc.“Peter always plays tennis on Tuesdays.”For the present continuous, we have the followingcurrently, now, at the moment, this week, next month etc.“I’m living at my friend’s house at the moment.”Another tense that has very well-working signal words is the present perfect. In combination with the following key words, it usually appears in the simple form or the ing-form progressivesince, for, recently; since 7 o’clock, for five years etc.“Mary hasn’t seen her best friend for three years.”You can also rely very well on the key words for the simple pastyesterday, last year, two hours ago, last weekend, in 2007 etc.“Francis moved to Italy in 2010.”The past perfect also bears some signal words. However, you have to be careful as they can also stand for the present perfect. Some key words arejust, never, how long, for, since, already etc.“We had already left when the band started to play.”Information Although there is a good variety of signal words for other tenses in English, we are a bit limited when it comes to future tenses. Admittedly, there are some expressions or words that relate to the future, but they are all not very precise. Consequently, you should rather not rely on specific explanations referring to the Signal words for English verb tenses’The following explanations relate to the topic Key words and expressions for English verb tenses’ and may also be interestingComparison present simple and present continuousUse of the present perfect continuousAdverbs of indefinite frequencyOverview of the English verb tenses Uploaded byMiss Maria 100% found this document useful 1 vote3K views3 pagesCopyright© Attribution Non-Commercial BY-NCAvailable FormatsDOC or read online from ScribdShare this documentDid you find this document useful?Is this content inappropriate?Report this Document100% found this document useful 1 vote3K views3 pagesTenses Time SignalsUploaded byMiss Maria Full descriptionJump to Page You are on page 1of 3Search inside document Reward Your CuriosityEverything you want to Anywhere. Any Commitment. Cancel anytime. Listen to the lesson audio The Present Continuous Progressive Tense Time Expressions Time Expressions and Example Sentences Use 1 Present time "Now, right now, at present, presently, for the time being, currently, at the moment, at the present, nowadays, this year " are common time expressions used with this tense. We are learning English now. We're watching TV right now. At present my father is working abroad. He is presently studying in Istanbul. We're using my old computer for the time being. The Director is currently having talks in the USA She's not waiting here at the moment Charles is taking three courses this year / this term. Car prices are getting higher nowadays /these days. Use 2 Future Time "Tomorrow, tonight, next week, next year" are common time expressions used with future meaning. I am not going to the party tonight. Is he visiting his parents next weekend? They are flying to Paris next week. Tom is staring a new job on Friday. My dad is retiring in June. Use 3 When we use this tense with adverbs "always", "continuously" or "constantly" for complaining something. She is always coming to class late. I don't think Daniel can lose weight. He is always eating something. He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up. I don't like them because they are always complaining. He's continuously changing his mind. Nobody likes Ann at school since she is always having arguments with other students in a sentence This website has been written for teaching English Grammar and Vocabulary through interactive lessons and example sentences for showing and teaching how to use these grammar points and words in a sentence with the meaning in the authentic examples. You can practice English while learning English. privacy terms of use Facebook Our Facebook Page Twitter Our Twitter Page What is the English Present Progressive Tense? The present progressive, also known as the present continuous tense, is formed with the verb be and the present participle or -ing form of the main verb. We use this tense to talk about actions that are in progress at the time of speaking and temporary actions. We can also use the present progressive to talk about future arrangements and plans. Learn how to conjugate verbs in the present progressive tense and get tips on its usage with Lingolia’s English grammar lesson. Then test your grammar skills in the exercises. Example James is travelling around Australia. He is staying at a youth hostel in a little Australian town. The town is becoming more and more popular because of its beautiful beaches. James is meeting his friend Brad in town tonight. Brad is working there as a tour guide over the summer. James is in the town centre now. Look! James is taking a picture of another tourist. When to use the English Present Progressive Tense We use the present progressive tense to describe actions that are taking place at the present moment, now Example Look! James is taking a picture of another tourist. predetermined plans or appointments that have been made for the near future Example He is meeting his friend Brad tonight. actions that are only happening temporarily Example James is travelling around Australia. Brad is working there as a tour guide over the summer. actions that are currently happening, but not at the moment of speaking Example He is staying at a youth hostel. situations that are changing Example The town is becoming more and more popular because of its beautiful beaches. Signal Words English Present Progressive Tense Signal words can help us decide which tense to use. The signal words for the present progressive are at the moment now, just now, right now Listen! Look! How to conjugate the English Present Progressive Tense To conjugate verbs in the present progressive we use the conjugated form of the auxiliary verb be. Be is irregular see the table below. The main verb is conjugated in the -ing form or present participle, it is the same for all people. The table provides and overview of the conjugation of verbs in positive, negative and interrogative sentences in the present progressive tense. Present Participle – Spelling Rules Generally, the present participle is formed by adding -ing to the base infinitive form of a verb. However, there are a few exceptions An -e at the end of the word is removed, but -ee, -oe and -ye remain unchanged. Example come – coming but agree - agreeing The final consonant is doubled in words that have a short stressed vowel before the final consonant. However, -w, -x and -y are not doubled Example sit – sitting but fix –fixing An -l as the final consonant after a vowel is always doubled in British English but not in American English. Example travel – travelling British, traveling American An -ie at the end of the word is replaced by a -y. Example lie – lying Contractions Contractions are a combination of certain pronouns, verbs and the word not. They are mostly used in spoken and informal written English. The table below provides an overview of contractions in the present progressive using the verb be. Contractions in written English In written English, the contracted form of are can only be used after pronouns and not after nouns or names. ExampleThey’re travelling around Australia.but not The tourists’re travelling around Australia. Online exercises to improve your English Improve your English with Lingolia. Each grammar topic comes with one free exercise where you can review the basics, as well as many more Lingolia Plus exercises where you can practise according to your level. Check your understanding by hovering over the info bubbles for simple explanations and handy tips. Present Progressive – Free Exercise Present Progressive – mixed exercise Lingolia Plus English Unlock all grammar exercises for English with a Lingolia Plus account 983 interactive grammar exercises for English sorted by topic and level A1–C1 with a built-in progress tracker and awards system Get started with Lingolia Plus Present Progressive – Lingolia Plus Exercises Present Progressive – spelling test 1 A1 Present Progressive – spelling test 2 A2 Present Progressive – contractions be A1 Present Progressive – affirmative 1 A1 Present Progressive – affirmative 2 A1 Present Progressive – negative 1 A1 Present Progressive – negative 2 A1 Present Progressive – questions 1 A1 Present Progressive – questions 2 A2 Present Progressive – questions and short answers A2 Present Progressive – wh-questions A2 Present Progressive – mixed sentences A2 Present Progressive – mixed 1 A2 Present Progressive – mixed 2 A2 Present Progressive – actions in progress A1 Present Progressive – future actions A2 Present Progressive – temporary situations B1 Present Progressive – around now B1 Present Progressive – changing situations B2 Present Progressive – future plans 1 B1 Present Progressive – future plans 2 B1 Present Progressive – future plans 3 B1 A1Beginner A2Elementary B1Intermediate B2Upper intermediate C1Advanced Task No. 4075 Find the correct signal word for the sentences in the Present Progressive. Do you need help? Signal words for the Present Progressive the cat is drinking milk. The girls are having fun . it is raining. My father is making tea . The teacher is talking to Stephen . They are looking for a present . The boy is writing with a pencil . We are watching a film . Andy is touching a snake. the lady is leaving the office.

time signal present continuous tense