Happening Right Now
Present Continuous
To express what is happening at the present moment in time use the present continuous. The present continuous is also sometimes referred to as the present progressive.
When are you shipping the grains next week?
The customers are lining up for tickets at seven.
They are betting on ecotourism as a remedy this year.
Another use of the present continuous is to express what is happening around the current period of time. This is often used in work settings when discussing a project that is currently in progress.
The manufacturers are producing plastic toys at the moment.
Positive Form:
Subject + to be + verb + ing + (object(s))
The story is being repeated at a high volume but to little effect.
Negative Form:
Subject + to be + not + verb + ing + (object(s))
They are disagreeing about which of the various types of lodging available they want right now.
Question Form:
(Wh-) + to be + verb + ing?
Where are the food cost invoices being mailed right now?
NOTE: Common time expressions used with the present continuous include:
at the moment
currently
this week
today
now
Example:
Harold is seeking repeat business this year.
Harold is developing the blueprints for the new extended care facilities this month.
The line cooks are striking for higher pay at the moment.
Stative Verbs
Stative verbs express a state. Action verbs express an action, or task that someone performs.
Stative are never used in continuous forms. Here is a list of common stative verbs:
believe
understand
think (opinion)
want
hope
smell
taste
feel
sound
look
seem
appear
Example:
I feel pleased about the décor.
The speaker sounds clear from his position in our banquet facility.
She feels frightened at the haunted campground.