Speaking: Grammar in Speaking A2 - Lesson 2: Using Present Continuous (Actions Now)

Speaking: Grammar in Speaking A2 - Lesson 2

Using Present Continuous (Actions Now)

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use the Present Continuous tense to describe actions that are happening right now.

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What's Happening Right Now?

We use the Present Continuous¹ tense to talk about actions that are happening now², right now³, or at the moment⁴. The action is in progress; it is not finished.

Look around you. What's happening in your classroom right now?

• The teacher is talking.
• I am listening to the teacher.
• My friends are studying English.
• The fan is turning above us.

The structure is always: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.

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Key Grammar Terms

1. Present Continuous (Tense) | បច្ចុប្បន្នកាលបន្ត | A verb tense for actions happening now. ↩
2. now (Adverb) | ឥឡូវនេះ | At the present time. ↩
3. right now (Phrase) | ឥឡូវនេះភ្លាម | Emphasizes that the action is at this exact moment. ↩
4. at the moment (Phrase) | នៅពេលនេះ | A common phrase that means the same as "now". ↩

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record_voice_over Pronunciation Focus: The "-ing" Sound

The "-ing" ending is a single, nasal sound called "engma" (/ŋ/). It is made at the back of your throat. Your tongue should not touch the front of your mouth.

• Incorrect sound: "work-in" (with an /n/ sound, tongue at the front)
• Correct sound: "worki-ng" (/ŋ/ sound, tongue at the back)

Practice making the sound by itself: ng... ng... ng. Then add it to verbs: walking, studying, talking.

lightbulb Structure: Positives, Negatives & Questions

The structure is easy because it always uses the verb 'to be' (am/is/are).

Positive Statements

Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing

• I am working. (I'm working.)
• She is reading. (She's reading.)
• They are playing. (They're playing.)

Negative Statements

Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing

• I am not sleeping. (I'm not sleeping.)
• He is not working. (He isn't working.)
• We are not watching TV. (We aren't watching TV.)

Questions

Am/Is/Are + Subject + verb-ing?

• Are you listening? -> Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
• Is she working? -> Yes, she is. / No, she isn't.

sports_esports Practice Present Continuous

Activity 1: What Are They Doing?

Make a full sentence in the Present Continuous for each situation.

1. Look at the man. (He / ride a moto) -> He is riding a moto.
2. Listen to the girls. (They / sing a song) -> They are singing a song.
3. I cannot talk now. (I / eat dinner) -> I am eating dinner.
4. She is at the library. (She / not play / she / study) -> She isn't playing. She is studying.

Activity 2: Mime Game

Work with a partner. One person mimes (acts out) an action, like reading a book or drinking coffee. The other person asks a question: "Are you reading a book?" The first person answers, "Yes, I am" or "No, I'm not." Then, switch roles.

task Your Grammar Mission

This week in Siem Reap, your mission is to be aware of what is happening right now.

At three different times this week, stop and think: "What am I doing right now?" Answer in a full English sentence. For example: "Right now, I am sitting in a café." "Right now, I am talking to my friend." "Right now, I am riding my moto."