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STRUCTURE FOCUS Progressive Tense. Prepared by: Varia V. Virdaus , M.A. (source: Hayden, Rebecca E. , Pilgrim, Dorothy W., and Haggard, Aurora Q. 1998. Mastering American English. Singapore: Tuttle Publishing). THE PROGRESSIVE TENSE.
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STRUCTURE FOCUSProgressive Tense Prepared by: Varia V. Virdaus, M.A. (source: Hayden, Rebecca E. , Pilgrim, Dorothy W., and Haggard, Aurora Q. 1998. Mastering American English. Singapore: Tuttle Publishing)
THE PROGRESSIVE TENSE What are generally called the progressive tense are verb phrases composed of forms of the auxiliary be + the present participle (-ing form) of the principal verb. The present participle of both regular and irregular verbs is formed by adding ing to the simple form of the verb.
Usage of Present Continuous • Present Continuous: by using BE: is, am, are e.g.: I am writing a novel. She is typing a letter. Basic Patterns: (+) S+ be +V-ing + C (-) S + be + NOT + V-ing + C (?) be + S + V-ing + C
The Present Progressive Tense is Used:Adapted From Betty S. Azar • When an activity is in progress now at the moment of speaking • When an activity began before now and continues into the future without stopping. • When an activity is temporary. • When an activity is developing and changing.
ExamplesAdapted From Betty S. Azar • I’m explaining something to the class right now. • He’s taking 16 credits this semester. • She is understanding English more and more because she moved into the dorm.
The following changes in spelling occur when adding ing to the simple form of the verb: • A final e that is not pronounced is dropped. write writing argue arguing BUT: A final eeis retained. free freeing agree agreeing
2. A final consonant letter (except h, w, x, y), preceded by a single vowel letter, is doubled in words of one syllable. beg begging BUT: fix (ends in x) fixing greet (two vowel letters before consonant) greeting
3. A final consonant letter (except h, w, x, y), preceded by a single vowel letter, is doubled in words accented on the last syllable. begin beginning permit permitting 4. A few verbs end in ie. The ie in some of these verbs changes to y when the ing ending is added. die dying tie tying or tieing
EXERCISES Giving the present participle of the verb in parentheses: • He is (work) his way through college. • I am (freeze). • It is (begin) to rain. • I am (take) zoology this semester. • Richard is (write) his second novel. • The students are (argue) with the Professor.
7. A car is (stop) in front of the house. 8. Alfred is (fix) the broken chair. 9. The plant is (die) from lack of water. • The paper is (lie) on my desk. • The children are (play) in the yard. • They are (eat) diner now. • We are (make) plans for the party. • They are (save) money for their vacation. • Several people are (sit) in the lobby.