1.3.2 Present continuous




Forms: is walking, are cleaning.


We make negatives and questions like this:


Positive statement Tom is cleaning. They are walking.
Negative statement Tom isn't cleaning. They aren't walking.
Positive question Is Tom cleaning? Are they walking?
Negative question Isn't Tom cleaning? Aren't they walking?




We use the present continuous to talk about something that is happening at the moment of speaking, e.g.:


Look! It's raining.
(Mira! Plou.)

We use the present continuous for an action that has started but has not finished, e.g.:


I'm reading a very interesting book.
(Llegeixo un llibre molt interessant.)

We use the present continuous for a temporary activity that is different from the normal activity, e.g.:


Rose usually drives to work, but this week she's going by bus.
(Normalment la Rosa va en cotxe a la feina, però aquesta setmana va en autobús.)

We use the present continuous with more or more and more for a current tendency, e.g.:


Flats are getting more and more expensive.
(Els pisos es tornen cada vegada més cars.)

Notice that in English there is no expression corresponding to cada vegada.


We also use the present continuous to express future arrangements.


See also irritating habits.