The Present Continuous Form
Introduction
When we talk about events which have some present reality –which have already been planned or decided, or which we can see are on the way –we often use present forms. The present continuous “progressive” and “be going to” are common. The present continuous is used in the following situations:
1. Present Continuous as a Future Form
§ It is used to express a definite arrangement in the near future with an idea in mind that this arrangement must have some present reality. It is most common in discussions of personal arrangements and fixed plans, when the time and place have been decided and fixed. Note that the time must be mentioned. It is not generally used to make predictions about events that are outside people’s control. In addition, if there has merely been an expression of intention, we use the “be going to “form instead of present continuous. See the examples below:
· I’m taking my exam in October. (It implies that I have entered for it.)
· Bob and Bill are meeting tonight. (It implies that they have arranged for the meeting.)
· We’re travelling round Mexico next summer.
· What are we having for dinner?
§ But with verbs of movement from one place to another, e. g. “arrive, come, drive, fly, go, leave, start, travel,” verbs indicating position, e. g. “stay, remain, etc.”, and the verbs “do and have” (for food or drink), the present continuous can be used more widely. It can express a decision or plan without any definite arrangement since the verb itself means presence of arrangement.it is to mention that this case do not require time and place references. See the examples below:
· The neighbors are coming in to watch television. “It is just starting.”
· I’m just popping out to the post office. Back in a minute
· What are you doing next Saturday? (This is the usual way of asking people about their plans.)
· I’m leaving. “Even before I have arranged my journey.”
§ This method of expressing the future cannot be used with verbs which are not normally used in the continuous tenses. These verbs are verbs of senses, verbs expressing feelings and emotions, verbs of mental activity, verbs of possession, and the auxiliaries. These verbs should be put into the future simple tense instead. See the examples below:
· I’m meeting him tonight but I will know tonight.
· They are coming tomorrow but they will be here tomorrow.
· We’ll think it over.
§ However, that “see”, when it is used for a deliberate action “personal” “see about, see someone, etc.” see meaning ‘meet by appointment”, can be used in the continuous tenses because the context where these verbs are used deprive them from the quality of state verbs. So speakers must pay attention to the context where verbs are used. See the example below:
· I’m seeing him tomorrow. “I have an appointment with him.”
2. Present Continuous and Will + Infinitive ………….…………..... Differences
The following examples of combinations of “will + infinitive” used at the moment of decision and the present continuous tense used as a future form will make the relationship between them more clear.
Ø Now
· Travel agent: Now, how do you want to go to Rome, sir?
· Traveler (making up his mind): the trains are too slow. I’ll travel by plane.
Ø But afterwards, talking about his plans, this traveler will say:
· Traveler: I’m flying to Rome next week. Then immediately he remembered that he must pay money for this and suddenly says:
· Travelled: I’ll have to pay 150 dollars rent and I don’t have them. His friend immediately answered him:
· Friend: don’t worry. I’ll lend you all what you need.
Ø But later on, before his friend has actually lent the money, the traveler will say:
· Traveler: my friend is lending me 150 dollars.
· Friend: would you like to come to the opera tonight?
· Traveler: I’d love. Shall I meet you there?
· Friend: No, I’ll call for you.
· Traveler: OK.
Ø Later on again, the traveler telling another friend about this plan to the opera will say:
· Traveler: my friend is taking me to the opera tonight. I’ m not meeting him there but he is calling me.
Summary
Exercise 1
Put the verb in brackets into the present continuous or the present simple.
1. I …………….. (meet) Jane tonight.
2. The train to London ……………. (leave) at midday.
3. What time ……………..(the film / begin) this evening?
4. What ……………. (you / do) next weekend?
5. We …………….(have) a party on Saturday. Do you want to come?
6. When ……………. (the concert / start)? It …………. (start) at 7 p.m..
7. Harry ………. (come) to stay tomorrow. He ………… (catch) the last bus from York, which ………(arrive) here at midnight.
Exercise 2
Choose the correct form of the verb with justification.
1. I'll meet / I'm meeting Jane in town tonight.
2. Louise can't come. She is taking / will take the car to the garage at 5 p.m.
3. What time does your train leave / will your train leave tomorrow?
4. I'm very thirsty.' 'I'll get / I get you something to drink. Coke or tea?'
5. This bus is stopping / stops at every village, so it's very slow!
6. 'Did you buy some butter?' 'Oh, I forgot. I'll get / I'm getting some now.'
7. I think it rains / will rain later today.
8. 'Have you chosen a new car yet?' 'Yes, we are going to buy / we will buy a Ford Focus.'
9. 'Why have you put the TV on?' I'm going to watch / I will watch the news.'
10. 'Frank, I can't go out because I haven't got any money.' 'Don't worry. I lend you / I'll lend you some.'
11. Shall / Will I carry that for you?