Present Continuous Tense #2

The Present Continuous Tense #2

The present continuous tense has several uses. One of the most common ones is described below.

Using the Present Continuous Tense
for "Now"

One use for the present continuous tense is for actions that are happening now. These actions began before now and will continue after now. These actions are temporary and are often for a short time. Examples: He's studying. They're arguing. It's raining. You're reading these examples. I'm using my computer to make these examples. Besides now, other time words and phrases are common with this use of the present continuous tense. Here are some of them: right now, just now, at the moment, for the time being, and at present: He's studying right now. They're arguing at the moment. It's raining just now. _____________________________________________ Special Notes:  1. Notice that every example above shows a short, temporary action. Notice, also, that every example has a form of BE and an -ing verb. 2. The time phrase for the time being suggests that the action will change soon: Bob's studying for the time being. (He'll probably not study much longer.) They're arguing for the time being. (They'll probably stop arguing very soon.) It's raining for the time being. (It could stop raining at any time.) We're working for the time being. (We'll probably stop working very soon.) I'm using my computer for the time being (I'll probably do something else very soon.) We're working for the time being. (We don't expect to work much longer.)

_________________________________ Next: another use for the
present continuous tense