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.
He is attending the specific cause fundraising event on Wednesday at two o'clock.
Our social enterprise is being reimagined at the moment.
Gene is writing the social policy this afternoon.
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.
They are setting the short term goal this week.
Positive Form:
Subject + to be + verb + ing + (object(s))
Lacan is theorizing about conflict management with Zizek at the moment.
Negative Form:
Subject + to be + not + verb + ing + (object(s))
Scalia isn't paying attention to his own conflict of interest, but is instead enjoying the duck hunt."
Question Form:
(Wh-) + to be + verb + ing?
What is the service delivery system really delivering at the moment?
NOTE: Common time expressions used with the present continuous include:
at the moment
currently
this week
today
now
Example:
We are developing a scholarship for continuing education programs at the moment.
Nader is fighting our corporate agenda this year.
Gene is only making one contribution this month.
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:
The blogosphere promises political change this year.
He sounds concerned about Health and Safety when he talks.
The blogger feels aggrieved today.