The Present Continuous at work
The present continuous generally refers to
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actions which are in progress at the moment. They may be temporary:
We’re having the boiler replaced.
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or generally in progress but not actually happening at the moment:
I’m studying for a degree.
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or they may be an event in the near future:
He’s cycling to Iraq in July.
You might hear the following examples of the present continuous in your everyday life.
1. [Match]
Can you complete these everyday statements with the correct present participle?
(come along – phrasal verb – progress, develop, improve
Your English is really coming along! (= is really improving).
ask for trouble – if you say or do this you’ll get into difficulties
to have a point – to be justified (i.e. in saying / doing sth)
talk at cross purposes – talk about different things without realising it
make a fuss about sth – display unnecessary or excessive excitement / activity or interest
a fusspot – informal – a person who concentrates on / complains about things that are not important
work your socks off – informal – work as hard as you can
bark up the wrong tree – informal – pursue a mistaken line of thought or course of action
to bark up sth is to climb up it
stick your neck out – informal – risk incurring criticism / anger by acting or speaking out boldly
shoot off somewhere – informal – be in a hurry to leave
eg I can’t talk now, I’m shooting off.
)
Answers for Quiz [1].
- 1. coming (correct)
- 2. chairing (correct)
- 3. talking (correct)
- 4. asking (correct)
- 5. trying (correct)
- 6. giving (correct)
- 7. being (correct)
- 8. working (correct)
- 9. making (correct)
- 10. barking (correct)
- 11. sticking (correct)
- 12. shooting (correct)