Structure: S + verb to be (AM/IS/ARE) + -ing -ing form of a verb+ verb + Complement. Use: To To describe actions that are happening at the moment (NOW).
La estructura consta del uso del verbo mas el gerundio. se usa para describir acciones que suceden en el momento. Se usa para explicar lo que uno esta haciendo ahora.
- Remember to use the Subject (this can be a subject pronoun or a noun - plus (+) the verb to be in the present tense (am/is/are) and complement (optional). The following is the table of the positive form of the present continuous / progressive. Table #1 :Positive Form
Common mistakes: - Students forget to use the verb to be Example: a) My father working (INCORRECT ( INCORRECT)) —> My father IS father IS working. (Correct (Correct)) - Sometimes students do not use the -ing form. b) Robert is play with my sister (INCORRECT ( INCORRECT)) —> Robert is playING play ING with my sister. (CORRECT CORRECT)) Recuerden de no omitir el sujeto. En español “Esta comiendo” esta usando un sujeto tácito. En ingles siempre debemos decir quien hace la acción (salvo en el imperativo) Entonces en “esta comiendo” el sujeto puede ser el, ella, o ello. En ingles seria “He/she /it is i s eating” dependiendo del contexto.
The negative form is used by adding “not” after the verb to be in the present tense form. You may use contractions. Table # 2:The negative form.
Common mistakes: -Some students place the negative first. REMEMBER TO USE THE S+V+C !!! a) Not working my father (INCORRECT ( INCORRECT)) —> My father isn’t (is + not) working (CORRECT CORRECT)) - Students use the don’t/doesn’t to do the negat ive: b) She doesn’t playing ( INCORRECT INCORRECT)) —> She isn’t playing (CORRECT (CORRECT))
We have to put the verb to be + the subject + -ing -ing form + the complement. Are you watching TV?
Remember that we can use the Question words before the structure: Examples: - What are you doing? Answer: I am studying English with my virtual teacher. - Where is Pedro going? Answer: He is going to the shopping mall. Table # 3: Question form