Introduzione
Il present continuous (detto anche present progressive) si usa per descrivere azioni che avvengono proprio ora (right now) o nel periodo attuale. Si forma con am/is/are + la forma in -ing del verbo.
Soggetto+am/is/are+verbo-ing
- I am reading a great book right now.
- Julia is working from home this week.
- They are building a new bridge nearby.
| Soggetto | Forma |
|---|---|
| I | am working |
| He / She / It | is working |
| You / We / They | are working |
Usi del present continuous
Non si usa solo per questo preciso momento:
| Uso | Esempio |
|---|---|
| Azione che avviene proprio ora | Shh! The baby is sleeping. |
| Situazione temporanea | I am staying with my parents this month. |
| Situazione in cambiamento o evoluzione | Prices are rising rapidly. |
| Programma futuro fissato | We are meeting tomorrow at 10. |
| Comportamento fastidioso ripetuto (con always) | He is always losing his keys! |
Present simple e present continuous
I due tempi presenti si confondono facilmente. Il present simple descrive fatti permanenti e abitudini; il present continuous descrive azioni temporanee o in corso.
| Present Simple (permanente/abitudine) | Present Continuous (temporaneo/ora) |
|---|---|
| She lives in London. | She is living with a host family this term. |
| He works at a hospital. | He is working overtime this week. |
| I read before bed. | I am reading an amazing novel. |
- I am knowing the answer.I know the answer.state verb, no continuous
- She is always work late.She is always working late.
Verbi di stato (senza forma progressiva)
Alcuni verbi di stato (stative verbs) descrivono stati anziché azioni e di solito non si usano nei tempi progressivi. Tra questi ci sono i verbi che esprimono pensiero, emozione, possesso e percezione.
| Categoria | Verbi |
|---|---|
| Pensare/sapere | know, believe, understand, remember, think (= believe) |
| Emozione | love, hate, want, need, prefer |
| Possesso | have (= possess), own, belong |
| Percezione | see, hear, smell, taste, seem, appear |
- I am believing you.I believe you.
- She is having a car.She has a car.
- He is wanting a coffee.He wants a coffee.
Esercizi
She ___ from home this week.
Which sentence is correct?
Look at the news - prices ___ rapidly right now.
Which verb is a stative verb?
Look outside - they ___ a new bridge nearby right now.
We ___ at 6pm tomorrow for the interview.
He ___ not listening to me right now.
___ you coming to the party tonight?
write ___
run ___
lie ___
I ___ with my parents this month.
Which verb is a stative verb?
'He is always losing his keys!' What does this express?
'I understand the lesson.' Why not 'I am understanding'?
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