Chapter_1_Present progressive verses present simple

4-1 Be + -ing: The Present Progressive

  • Definition: The present progressive tense indicates an ongoing action that is occurring at the moment of speaking.

  • Formation: Formed by using the verb "to be" (am, is, are) + the verb ending in -ing.

    • Examples:

      • I am working in the library right now.

      • Lily is working in the library right now.

      • You are working in the library right now.

4-2 Spelling of -ing

  • Rule 1: For a consonant + -e, drop the -e and add -ing.

    • Example: dine ➔ dining.

  • Rule 2: When there's one vowel + one consonant, double the consonant and add -ing.

    • Example: run ➔ running.

  • Rule 3: For two vowels + one consonant, add -ing without doubling.

    • Example: read ➔ reading.

  • Rule 4: With two consonants, simply add -ing; do not double.

    • Example: brush ➔ brushing.

4-3 Present Progressive: Negatives

  • Formation: Present progressive negatives are formed by adding "not" after the verb "to be".

    • Examples:

      • I am not studying.

      • Jada isn’t running; she’s walking.

      • Scott and Katie aren’t crying; they’re laughing.

4-4 Present Progressive: Questions

  • Formation: To form questions in the present progressive, use the structure: Q-word + be + subject + -ing.

    • Examples:

      • Is Yu Ying walking? Yes, she is.

      • Are they studying? Yes, they are.

4-5 Simple Present Tense vs. the Present Progressive

  1. Simple Present: Used for habitual actions or general truths.

    • Example: He eats pancakes every morning.

  2. Present Progressive: Used for actions taking place at the current moment.

    • Example: He is eating pancakes right now.

  3. Questions:

    • Simple Present Questions: Does he eat pancakes every morning?

    • Present Progressive Questions: Is he eating pancakes right now?

4-6 Non-Action Verbs Not Used in the Present Progressive

  • Definition: Non-action verbs describe states rather than actions and are not used in the present progressive.

  • Common Non-Action Verbs:

    • Want, like, love, need, think, know, believe, smell, hear, see.

  • Usage Examples:

    • I’m hungry right now. (Not: I am wanting some water.)

    • I smell a skunk (Not: I am smelling it).

4-7 See, Look At, Watch, Hear, and Listen To

  • Definitions:

    • See: Non-action verb, denotes perception without focus.

    • Look At: Action verb, engaging in visual attention.

    • Watch: Action verb, implies prolonged observation.

    • Hear: Non-action verb, denotes sound perception.

    • Listen To: Action verb, focus on sound or music actively.

4-8 Think About and Think That

  • Usage of 'Think':

    • Think + About + Noun: I think about my daughter every day.

    • Think + That + Statement: I think that this game is fun.

  • Examples:

    • I think he is nice.

    • Joe thinks that the test is hard.