Scuola Primaria Statale “Don Milani”

Classe IV A
(Anno Scolastico 2013/2014)

PRESENT CONTINUOUS:
“USE and FORM”
 • PRESENT CONTINUOUS: “USE”
-Read.

Hi! I'm the “Present continuous guy” .

I'm here to tell you what I'm doing at the moment because my life is
changing a lot these days.
Now I'm not studying, but I'm working in a clothes shop. I like casual
clothes. At the moment I'm wearing jeans and t-shirt.
At present I'm playing the guitar in a heavy metal group called
"Metal Bananas".
This evening I'm playing with some friends in London, in a birthday
party.
I'm going out with a girl, but she's working in the disco today. She
isn't coming with me to the party.
Are you coming with me, guys?

-Now, that you have read this story, choose the correct answer for
each item.
A True A True
He likes habits and routine. B False He plays pop music.B False
C Don’t now C Don’t now

A True A True
He likes elegant clothes. B False He hasn’t got a brother.B False
C Don’t now C Don’t now

A True A True
He is playing in London this evening. B False He likes work. B False
C Don’t now C Don’t now

He is working in a toys shop in these days. A True

B False
C Don’t now
He goes to “The happy gang” club with his girl on Sundays.
A True
B False
C Don’t now
A True
He is very different from his girl. B False
C Don’t now

So, when do we use the present continuous tense?

-Let’s watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEBRIBtq7q0&feature=player_embedded

-Round up.
1)First, we use the “present continuous tense” for things that are
happening at the moment of speaking.

Read and copy.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2)We can also use “this tense” for temporary situations, when we
feel something won’t continue for a long time.

He’s reading
a really great book.

Read and copy.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3)We can use the “present continuous” for habits, but they have to
be temporary or new habits.

She’s watching tv
a lot these days.

Read and copy.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4)Then, we can use “this tense” for definitive future arrangements

(with a future time words).

We’re going to Milan by

bus tomorrow.

Read and copy.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5)Finally, we use the “present continuous” to talk a situation which is
slowly changing.

They’re getting better

at playing football.

Read and copy.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

************

PRESENT CONTINUOUS: “FORM”

The “present continuous” tense in English is very easy to make and it
is the same for all verbs.

-Let’s watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghT81ByhIH4&hl=es&gl=ES

We make it using the “present simple of “be” + -ing”

PRESENT CONTINUOUS: POSITIVE FORM

Write, read and repeat.

 “Positive form” “Positive short form”

I am sleeping I'm sleeping

You are sleeping You're sleeping
He is sleeping He's sleeping
She is sleeping She's sleeping
It is sleeping It's sleeping
We are sleeping We're sleeping
You are sleeping You're sleeping
They are sleeping They're sleeping

ACTIVITIES

1)Tick the correct words in the brackets and rewrite these sentences.

The man (am - is – are) wearing a cap.

Birds (am – is – are) sitting on treetops.
We (am – is – are) learning grammar.
People (am – is – are) walking in the streets.
A kite (am – is – are) flying high up in the sky.

2)Complete with the present continuous form of the verbs in the

brackets. (Do not forget to use am, is, are.)

I …................................. chocolates. (eat)

My friends …................................. me. (call)
It …................................. outside. (rain)
Mary and Rita …................................. to school. (go)
The children …................................. noise. (make)
Ouch, you …................................. on my toe! (step)

Look! They …................................. this way. (come)

The farmer …................................. in the field. (work)
My little brother …................................. (cry)
The teacher …................................. (stand) and the students
…................................. (sit)

3)Read these sentences, look at the pictures and write the correct
numbers.

1.The girl is writing her name. 2.The children are watching TV.
3.I am reading a book. 4.The boy is listening to the radio.
5.The doctor is washing his hands. 6.I am taking a bath.
7.The man is reading a newspaper. 8.The artist is painting a picture.
9.Bob is taking a bath.

............ ............ ............

............ ............ ............

............
............
............
4)Look at these pictures and write sentences with the positive
present continuous tense.
He ....................
She ..................

I ...................... You .................

I ...................... You .................

He ..............................
They ........................
. .

5)Look at the pictures and make sentences with the positive present
continuous tense.

.................................... ….................................

................................ .........................................

................................ …...............................

.............................................. ..............................................
6)Look at the picture and read this story.

Answer.

Where's the Jones family today?

…..............................................................................................

What's Mr. Jones doing?

…..............................................................................................

What's Mrs. Jones doing?

…..............................................................................................

What are Sally and Patty Jones doing?

…..............................................................................................
What's Tommy Jones doing?
…..............................................................................................

What's the sun doing?

…..............................................................................................

What are the birds doing?

…..............................................................................................
7)Look at this picture.

Answer.
Where's the family now?
…..............................................................................................

What's Mr. Green doing?

…..............................................................................................

What's Mrs. Green doing?

…..............................................................................................

What's grandfather doing?

…..............................................................................................

What's grandmother doing?

…..............................................................................................

What's Paul doing?

…..............................................................................................

What's Simon doing?

…..............................................................................................

What are the girls doing?

…..............................................................................................
What's Mike doing?
…..............................................................................................
What's the cat doing?
…..............................................................................................
What are the birds doing?
…..............................................................................................
What are the ducks?
…..............................................................................................

8)What are you doing? (Look at these pictures and answer.)

I ......................................................
.........................................................
.........................................................
.........................................................
.........................................................

9)What are they doing? (Look at these pictures and answer.)

1)........................................... 2)............................................

3)............................................ 4)............................................

5)............................................ 6)............................................

7)............................................ 8)............................................

9)............................................ 10)..........................................

11).......................................... 12)...........................................

13).......................................... 14)...........................................

15).......................................... 16)...........................................

17).......................................... 18)...........................................

19).......................................... 20)...........................................

10)What is going on?

-I ….................................... television. (to watch)
-Jack ….................................... his homework. (to do)
-Richard ….................................... to school. (to walk)
-Paul ….................................... here. (to come)
-The hairdresser ….................................... Therese's hair. (to cut)
-It ….................................... hot in here. (to get)
-I ….................................... on a comfortable chair. (to sit)
-We ….................................... cold. (to feel)
-They ….................................... the car. (to push)

11)Copy, complete with am, is, are, then translate.

(REMEMBER: “to be”, with the verb in “ing” = “stare”).
He …...... doing a shower. ….......................................
They …...... sleeping. ….......................................
I …...... reading. ….......................................
She …...... dancing. ….......................................
We …...... riding a bike.
….......................................
You …...... cooking. ….......................................
Now, paint the base of the verb and write it at the infinitive.

Ex.:doing=to do ….......................... ….........................

…......................... …........................... ….........................

12)Translate and transform at the present continuous.

(REMEMBER:verbs that end with “e” = come – coming; verbs that
end with “y” = play – playing; other verbs “double the final
consonant” = run – runnning.)

Ex.:to do / fare = doing

-to have / …................ = ..................

-to jump / …............... = …................
-to write / …............... = …................
-to ride / …............... = …................
-to swim / …............... = …................
-to study / …............... = …................

13)Look at Tom's diary for the week and write sentences using
present continuous.
Monday play football
Tuesday finish an English project
Wednesday watch the science film
Thursday go to the theatre with class
Friday visit my grandparents
Saturday clean the room and do my homework
Sunday go to the party

Ex. He is playing football on Monday.

…..............................................................................................
…..............................................................................................
…..............................................................................................
…..............................................................................................
…..............................................................................................
…..............................................................................................

************
 PRESENT CONTINUOUS: NEGATIVE FORM

Write, read and repeat.

“Negative form” “Negative short form”

I am not sleeping I'm not sleeping

You not are sleeping You aren't sleeping
He is not sleeping He isn't sleeping
She is not sleeping She isn't sleeping
It is not sleeping It isn't sleeping
We are not sleeping We aren't sleeping
You are not sleeping You aren't sleeping
They are not sleeping They aren't sleeping

ACTIVITIES

1)Write these sentences in the negative form.

-He is cleaning. ......................... -I am drinking. …........................
-She is working. …..................... -I am crying. …..........................
-It is washing. …........................ -He's looking. ….........................
-She's speaking. …..................... -They're fishing. ….....................
-You're buying. …....................... -You're playing. …......................

2)Write sentences using the present continuous (positive or negative

form).
-(he / walk to school now) -..........................................................
-(I / study at the moment) -.........................................................
-(I / not / sleep) - …....................................................................
-(we / watch TV) -…....................................................................
-(she / not / work in Spain) - ….....................................................
-(they / read) - …........................................................................
-(we / not / go to the cinema tonight) - …......................................
-(you / not / read the newspaper) - …............................................
-(she / eat chocolate) - ….............................................................
-(I / not / live in Paris) - …...........................................................
-(we / study French) - …..............................................................
-(they / live in London) - …...........................................................
-(he / work in a restaurant now) - …..............................................
-(I /not / meet my father at four) - …............................................
-(she / not / drink tea now) - …....................................................
-( we / cook) - ….........................................................................

************

PRESENT CONTINUOUS: INTERROGATIVE FORM

Write, read and repeat.

“Yes – no questions”

Am I sleeping?
Are you sleeping?
Is he sleeping?
Is she sleeping?
Is it sleeping?
Are we sleeping?
Are you sleeping?
Are they sleeping?

ACTIVITIES

1) Write present continuous questions and read them.

-(you / smoke)? …......................................................................
-(he/ play / tennis later)? …........................................................
-(you / go / shopping at the weekend)? ….....................................
-(you / drink / wine)? …..............................................................
-(she / work / in an office at the moment)? ….................................
…..............................................................................................
-(you / meet / your friends on Friday)? ….......................................
…..............................................................................................

2)Answer with the short form.

Is it playing with a doll? .................... I

Is it eating honey? ….........................

Is it working? …................................

Is it playing basketball? …...................

Are they swimming? ….......................

Is it playing the flute? ….......................

3)Order these sentences.

is door opening she the - …......................................................
not ice-creams we eating are - .................................................
wearing aren't hats they - …......................................................
tv now watching you are ? - ….................................................
is reading book he a ? - …........................................................
4)The present continuous in the positive, negative and question
forms: read, choose the correct form and write.
What -is he -does ? He -is -cooks .
-are -doing -are -cook
-does -do -does -cooking
-do -do
........................................... ...........................................

What -is she -does ? She-is -buying same lotion.

-are -do -are -buy
-does -doing -does -buys
-do -do
........................................... ...........................................
She -is not -buy flowers.
-are not -buying
-does not -buys
-do not
..................................................

What -is they-does ? They-is -phones .

-are -doing -are -phone
-does -do -does -phoning
-do -do
........................................... ...........................................

-Is he -skiing ? No,he -isn't .

-Are -sking -aren't
-Does -ski -doesn't
-Do -don't
........................................... ............................

He -is -runing .
-are -run
-does -running
-do -run
...........................................

-Is he -ride a hourse? No,he -isn't .

-Are -riding -aren't
-Does -rides -doesn't
-Do -don't
........................................... ............................
He -is -ride a bike.
-are -ridding
-does -riding
-do -rdes
...........................................
What I know now...

“PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE”

(use and form)

1)Write the –ing forms of the verbs.

-speak ………………………………… -jump ……………………………………

-drink ………………………………… -have …………………………………..

-run …………………………………. –fly ……………………………………

-stop …………………………………. -shop …………………………………..

-look …………………………………. -drive ……………………………………

2)Complete these sentences using the correct form of the verb “to be”.

I ……… having lunch. She ……… watching TV. He ……… passing the ball.

We ……… playing tennis. It ……… running fast. They ……… opening the door.

They ……… going to the museum. She ……… making a cake tonight.

I ……… meeting Kate in a café this evening. You ……… reading a good book.

3)Complete these sentences using the present continuous positive.

-Children …………………………………… football. (to play)

-The boy ………………………………….. a car. (to drive)

-The girl …………………………………… a bike. (to ride)

-My cousins …………………………….. kites. (to fly)

-My friend and I ………………………. a funny story. (to write)

-I ………………………………………………. my hands. (to wash)

-I ………………………………………………. a letter to my friend. (to write)

-We ………………………………………….. in this house. (to live)

-The dog ………………………………….. fast. (to run)

-They ……………………………………….. to the radio. (to listen)

4) What are you doing? Look at the pictures and answer.

I ……………………………. soup. I ……………………………… my teeth.

I ………………………………. the teacher. I ……………………………… a tree.

I ……………………………… gym. I …………………………….. to school.

5)Look at the pictures, read the sentences and connect.

He’s riding a bike. He’s running. She’s singing.

He’s sitting. She’s dancing.

6)Write these sentences in the negative form.

You’re laughing. ………………………………. It’s closing. ……………………………….

They’re singing. ………………………………. I’m working. ……………………………….

He’s playing. ………………………………. It’s snowing. ……………………………….

She’s studying French. ………………………………. I like fish. …………………………………..

We’re eating pizza. ……………………………………………………………………………………………..

You’re reading a book. ………………………………………………………………………………………..

They’re running now. …………………………………………………………………………………………..

They are using a dictionary ………………………………………………………………………………….

We are preparing the pic-nic. ……………………………………………………………………………..

I am listening to the radio………………...........................................................

7) Complete these questions using the correct form of the verbs in
brackets.

….. you ………………… (make) a cake? …… he ………………… (have) a shower?

…… they ………………… (laugh)?

8)Answers the questions with the short form.

• Are you surfing the internet? ( ) (I)

• Are they closing the door? ( ) (they)

• Is she kicking the ball? ( ) (she)

• Are you meeting friends? ( ) (I)

• Is she watching TV? ( ) (she)

• Is he doing his homework? ( ) (he)

• Am I reading your magazine? ( ) (you)

9)The present continuous in the positive, negative and question forms:

read, choose the correct form and write.

What -are he -do ? ……………………………………………………..

-is -does
-do -doing
-does

He -are -plant a tree. …………………………………………………

-is -plants
-do -planting
-does

What -are they -do ? ……………………………………………………

-is -does
-do -doing
-does
They -are -dance . ………………………………………………………
-is -dances
-do -dancing
-does

-Are he -draws ? ……………………………………………………

-Is -draw
-Do -drawing
-Does
No, he -aren’t . ………………… He -are -takes photos.
-isn’t -is -taking
-don’t -does -take
-doesn’t -do

…………………………………………………