Present Continuous - Presente Contínuo

Esse será nosso primeiro post 100% em Inglês! Nele, vou explicar e exemplificar o Present Continuous

Anna is in her car. She is on her way to work. She is driving to work.

I/you/he/she/it/we/they + verb to be + ing

I am doing something = I’m in the middle of doing something. I have started doing and I haven’t finished yet.

 1) Often the action is happening at the time of speaking:
 • Please don’t make so much noise. I’m working. (not “I work”)

• “Where is John?” “He is having a bath!” (not “he has a bath”)
 • Let’s go out now. It isn’t raining anymore. (not “it doesn’t rain”)
 • (at a party) Hello, Mary! Are you enjoying the party? (not “do you enjoy)

• I’m tired. I’m going to bed now. Goodnight!

2) But the action is not necessarily happening at the time of speaking.

For example: Anna and John are talking:

John: I’m reading an interesting book at the moment. I’ll lend you when I have finished it.

Examples:
 • Mary wants to live in Italy, so she is learning Italian.

• My friend is building his own house.

3) We use the present continuous when we talk about things happening in a period around now. (today, this week, this morning, this year)

• I’m working hard today.
 • John is not working this week because he is on holiday.We can also use the present continuous when we talk about changes happening around now.

• The population of the world is rising very fast.
 • Your English is getting better.