Hi, everyone!
Do you know how to use the Present Continuous?
The diagram above shows the PRESENT CONTINUOUS, which is also called PRESENT PROGRESSIVE. Generally speaking, we use this tense when we want to talk about something that is happening at this moment, or in the present period, but perhaps not right now.
Note that we can also use the same structure to express future arrangements. When we use the Present Continuous like this, we either give a future time ( e.g this evening, tomorrow, next weekend, etc), or we know from the context what we are talking about.
In the middle of the star you can see the affirmative, interrogative and negative forms of the Present Continuous.
We do not usually use the Present Continuous for verbs that describe states. Stative verbs are those that express feelings ( e.g like, love ), thoughts (e.g know, think, understand), possession (e.g belong, have), sense (feel, hear, smell). Other common verbs are : appear, look , seem, belong, etc.
However, some stative verbs can be used in the continuous form. When this happens, the meaning changes. Let's have a look at some examples:
e.g
HAVE - I have (got) a car / I'm having breakfast now.
THINK I think she's an excellent student/I'm thinking of/ about the exam.
SEE- I see you need my help/ I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow.
LOOK - You look great tonight!/ What are you looking for?
FOR PORTUGUESE SPEAKERS.
Os brasileiros adoram dizer: Professora, eu não estou entendendo. Em inglês, o certo é dizer "Teacher, I DON'T UNDERSTAND". Portanto, não é correto dizer, "Teacher, I'm not understanding", pois o verbo 'UNDERSTAND' expressa um estado mental.
If you still have difficulties using the Present Continuous, send a message to me, Ok?
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