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High Beginner

GRAMMAR

LESSON 8:

Present Continuous Tense

Goal

I can use present continuous tense for future plans.

Grammar Point

Read the grammar point with your tutor.

Use the present continuous tense to talk about set future plans.

  • The form is be + [present participle]. To make the present participle, add -ing to the dictionary form of the verb*.

*for verbs that end in -e, drop the ­-e and add –ing

*for most verbs that end in [consonant] + [vowel] + [consonant] (not w, x, or y), double the last consonant and add –ing

DICTIONARY FORM

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

go

going

do

doing

have

having

move

moving

stop

stopping

run

running

swipe to see full chart
ex

I am going to Okinawa on Saturday.

ex

He is having a party tonight.

ex

We are running a marathon tomorrow.

  • In casual spoken and written English, be is usually contracted with subject pronouns. Please try to use contracted forms throughout this lesson.

FORMAL ENGLISH

CASUAL ENGLISH

I am

I’m

you are

you’re

he is

he’s

she is

she’s

it is

it’s

we are

we’re

they are

they’re

swipe to see full chart
ex

I’m going to Okinawa on Saturday.

ex

He’s having a party tonight.

ex

We’re running a marathon tomorrow.

  • Use the present continuous to ask questions about future plans.

ex

Are you going to Okinawa on Saturday?

ex

When is he having a party?

ex

What are you doing tomorrow?

  • Use short phrases to positively answer yes/no questions about future plans.

POSITIVE ANSWERS

Yes, I am.

Yes, you are.

Yes, he is.

Yes, she is.

Yes, it is.

Yes, we are.

Yes, they are.

ex

Q: Are you going to Okinawa on Saturday?
A: Yes, I am.

  • Use short phrases to negatively answer yes/no questions about future plans too.

NEGATIVE ANSWERS

No, I’m not.

No, you aren’t.

No, he isn’t.

No, she isn’t.

No, it isn’t.

No, we aren’t.

No, they aren’t.

ex

Q: Are you going to Okinawa on Saturday?
A: No, I’m not.

  • Use not with the present continuous tense to talk about future plans that will definitely not happen.

ex

I’m not going to Okinawa on Saturday.

ex

He’s not having a party tonight.

ex

We’re not running a marathon tomorrow.

Be careful: You can use the present continuous tense to talk about both set future plans and present ongoing actions. If you don’t use a time expression and the time is not obvious, most people will assume you are talking about the present, not the future.

ex

I’m running a marathon tomorrow.  (time expression = future)

ex

Q: What are you doing tomorrow?

A: I’m running a marathon.  (time is obvious = future)

ex

I’m running a marathon.  (no time expression + time is not obvious = present)

Sentence Builder

Build new sentences using the grammar point, the original sentences, and the words in parentheses. The form of some words may need to be changed.
Build new sentences using the grammar point, the original sentences, and the words in parentheses. The form of some words may need to be changed.
ex

I’m taking a trip on Saturday.

(he)
   He’s taking a trip on Saturday   .
(we)
   We’re taking a trip on Saturday   .
  • She’s moving to Singapore next month.

(they)
                            .
(I)
                            .
  • Are you working today?

(do yoga)
                            ?
(go shopping with Emma)
                            ?
  • Yes, they are.

(I)
                            .
(he)
                            .
  • My best friend is having a party on Sunday.

(run a marathon)
                            .
(visit his hometown)
                            .
  • We’re not going out this weekend.

(they)
                            .
(he)
                            .

Practice

Make new sentences using the grammar point. Change the future tense sentences into present progressive sentences.

ex

I’m going to take a break at five o’clock.

I’m taking a break at five o’clock.
ex

I’m going to take a break at five o’clock.

I’m taking a break at five o’clock.
  • I’m going to take a piano lesson on Thursday.

  • She’s not going to cook dinner tomorrow.

  • We’re going to run a half marathon next month.

  • What time are you going to wake up tomorrow?

  • Are you going to buy your dad a Christmas present this year?

  • She’s not going to come home this weekend.

  • They’re going to go to bed early tonight.

  • I’m going to have dinner with my friend after work.

  • What are you going to do tomorrow afternoon?

  • I’m not going to have a birthday party this year.

Q&A

PART 1
Answer the questions using the grammar point and your own information.
  • What are you doing next weekend?
  • What time are you waking up tomorrow?
  • Are you meeting your friends tomorrow?
  • What are you doing for dinner tomorrow?
  • What are you doing after this lesson?
PART 2
Use the grammar point to ask your tutor some questions. You can use the ideas below or your own ideas.
you / see your friends / tomorrow
what / you / do / this weekend
when / you / teach your next lesson