Gio trnh Anh Vn lp 10

Unit 2
THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
The Present Continuous is used:
1. to describe an action that is going on now or around now.
You are using the Internet.
Im studying two languages : English and Spanish.
2. to talk about situations which are gradually changing.
The noise is getting louder.
More and more people are becoming vegetarian.
3. to talk about unfinished or temporary actions.
He usually plays the drums, but he's playing bass guitar tonight.
The weather forecast was good, but it's raining at the moment.
Note the difference :
He lives in a beautiful flat. (The speaker doesnt think this situation will change soon.)
Hes living in a beautiful place. (The speaker thinks this is a temporary situation.)
4. with "always, forever, constantly" to criticize.
Harry and Sally are always arguing!
You're constantly complaining about your mother-in-law!
BE CAREFUL!
We dont usually use the Present Continuous form with state verbs (which describes
states, not actions), e.g. want, sound, believe, know, like, mean, promise.
I dont want to do this.
That means the downstairs window is open.
We can use some state verbs in the continuous form to describe actions. The verb then
has a different meaning. Some common verbs we use like this are : appear, expect, feel,
have, look, think, see, smell, taste, weigh.
I think theres someone there. ( think = talking about a belief)
Im thinking what to do next. (think = talking about a process)
Time expressions usually used with Present Continuous:
now, at the moment, at present, nowadays, today, tonight, always, still etc

PRESENT CONTINUOUS AND PRESENT SIMPLE FOR FUTURE USE

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Gio trnh Anh Vn lp 10

Present Continuous for future use:

Use the present continuous for plans in the future, especially when we already
know the time and place.
Where are you going in September ?
Were travelling from Hongkong to Thailand.
Present Simple for future use:
We use the Present Simple to talk about future events which are part of a
timetable or schedule.
On 2 September we leave for Hongkong.
On Wednesday I have Geography.
After when, as soon as, until, after, before, if, unless, we often use the Present
Simple to express the future and not will.
When you dont have any food, the supermarket will automatically send
you your favourate things.
THE SPELLING OF THE ING FORM
1. We normally leave out e when we add ing.
take taking
drive driving
But we keep a double e before ing.
2. When a verb ends in -ie, it changes to ying.
die
dying
lie
lying
3. Sometimes we double a final consonant when a one-syllable verb ends with
one vowel and one consonant, e.g. win, put.
win winning
put
putting

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Gio trnh Anh Vn lp 10

PRACTISE
A. Put the verb in the brackets into the correct form:
1. Diane cant come to the phone because she (wash) her hair.
2. Diane (wash) her hair every other day and so.
3. Kathy (sit/usually) . in the front row during class, but today she
(sit) in the last row.
4. Please be quiet! I (try) to concentrate.
5. A: Look! It (snow) .
B: Its beautiful! This is the first time Ive ever seen snow. It (not/snow)
in my country.
6. After three days of rain, Im glad that the sun (shine) again today.
7. Every morning, the sun (shine) in my bedroom window and (wake)
me up.
8. (You/always/lock) the door to your apartment when you
leave?
9. Pierre (smoke) twenty cigarettes a day, but he (not/smoke)
now because hes in class.
10. Mike is a student, but he (not/go) to school right now because its
summer. He (attend) college from September to May every year, but
in the summers he (usually/have) .. a job at the post office. In
fact, he (work) there this summer.
B. Complete the sentences, using the Present Simple or the Present Continuous.
1. I Lisa detective stories to romantic ones. (not think/prefer)
2. Gertrude and Joseph of getting married this summer. (think)
3. This house was built by my grandfather. Now it to me (belong)
4. There to be something unusual about this house. (seem)
5. Youd better not drink that milk. It bad. (smell)
6. Why that shirt? Does it need washing? (you/smell)
7. Now that Sheila is twenty, she a car of her own. (have)
8. I cant help you with your homework at the moment. I dinner. (have)
9. Carrick to be honest. I think we can trust him. (appear)
10. This famous actress on a TV show these days. (appear)
11. Look out! The bus (come)
12. There our bus. We have to wait for the next one. (go)
13. According to the timetable, his train at 7.45 p.m. (arrive)
14. Ill phone you as soon as I home. (get)
15. Hurry up! Everyone for you! (wait)
16. Why ? Is something wrong? (she/cry)
17. The universe , and has been since its beginning. (expand)
18. Ill kill anybody who my possessions. (touch)
19. Whats your plan? We to the pop concert this evening. (go)

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Gio trnh Anh Vn lp 10

20. I your sister married. Is it right? (hear/get)

C. Correct the sentences if necessary. Tick () any which are already correct.
1. The kettle boils shall I make tea?
2. She doesnt like to be disturbed if shes working.
3. The climate gets warmer and warmer.
4. Chetford Castle is standing on a hill outside the town.
5. Im seeing my cousins tonight.
6. You are looking lovely when youre smiling.
7. Hes constantly leaving his papers all over the places.
8. I am seeing theres been trouble in your neighborhood.
9. Youre all remembering what Hamlet says about suicide.
10. Im always forgetting to lock the gate.

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