The present continuous tense

  Usage:

We use the present continuous "progressive" tense :

  1-To talk about activities that are going at the time of speaking:

       -My friend is waiting for me ,I have to go now .

       - Look! It is raining.

   2-To talk about activities that happen regularly but for a limited period of time 

    " Temporary action":                                                                                  

         - I'm learning to drive .

         -He is writing an article .

  3-To talk about future events that we have already fixed or arranged:

        -We are flying to Canada tomorrow ." we have got the tickets"

       -He is taking examination next week. " Fixed time"

    Form:

Present form of" Be" am - is - are + ....ing

  Adverbs:

  We can use the following time adverbials with the present continuous:

  now - at the moment - at present...etc.

    Difference Between Simple Present Tense and Present Continuous Tense  : 

 The tense we use depends on how we see the state or action.

  - I read British newspapers.  " I regularly do it ...routine"

  - I'm reading a British newspaper. " I'm doing it at the moment"

  So we use the simple present to talk about things which are permanent or long -lasting ,and we use the present continuous to talk about things which are temporary or limited in time.

           Exercise - A-

 Choose the correct tense of the verb between brackets :

 1- At present , many scientists ( are looking  -  look ) for forms of life beyond the Earth.

 2- He usually ( is driving  -  drives ) very carefully ,but today he ( drives  -  is driving ) fast.

3- She ( learns  -   is learning ) Russian now .

4-Excuse me ,you ( sit   -  are sitting ) in my seat.

 5- George (  is listening  -   listens  ) to the radio ,so don't disturb him.

         Exercise-  B -

 Give only two sentences using the present continuonus tense in Negative " not" and two in Question forms.

 Waiting for your answers as comments

  Thank you all

 - Hala -