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At the Moment

Indicating temporary activities

 

 

Personal descriptions, often seen in introductory letters and in blogs, use both present and present progressive.

 


My name is Isabela Paras. I am a mother, a student and a nurse. I am married and have one child. Currently, I am working to get my nursing certification. Also, I am taking classes online to improve my use of English. I am trying to get rid of simple grammar mistakes so that I can communicate with my co-workers more effectively.  I am taking a grammar course and a speech course at the College of San Mateo.

Elena
At night, I work at Children's Hospital in Oakland. I am having difficulty balancing my work, study and home schedules, but I hope I can get through this period. I know that I will need to have a good education to get a better job and have a more successful life.

 

 

Present Progressive vs. Present Non-progressive
PRESENT PROGRESSIVE PRESENT

An action that is ongoing and temporary, exists now, but will change in the future. It is not the usual state.

An action that is enduring or permanent, exists always, usually, or habitually; it exists now, has existed in the past and will probably exist in the future.

I am working to get my nursing certification.

My name is Isabela. (100% permanent)

I am trying to get rid of simple grammar mistakes.

I am a mother.  (99% permanent)

I am taking a grammar course.

I am married. (50% permanent)

I am having difficulty.

I work at Children's Hospital in Oakland. (?% permanent)

 

 

Adverbs that tell us – When
PRESENT PROGRESSIVE – TEMPORARY PRESENT – (MORE) PERMANENT

Adverbs for the present progressive indicate a more temporary state, at the moment of speaking. With a larger range of time, for example this month, the focus is still on the present time period not any amount of time that has passed.

Adverbs for the present tense indicate a more permanent state and tell howoften an activity occurs or is repeated.

NOW

at the moment

THIS ...

today / tonight

GENERAL TRUTH

general truth  (Adverbs are rarely used.)   

FREQUENCY

always (routinely, customarily, normally, as a rule, in general)

now (for now, just now)

this morning

 

usually (most of the time)

currently

this week

EVERY ...

often (frequently, half of the time)

presently

this month

every day  (night, week, month, year, etc.)

sometimes (occasionally, on occasion)

for a little while

this semester

each day  (night, week, month, year, etc.)

rarely (seldom, hardly ever)

as we speak

this year

every other day  (night, week, year, etc.)

never (not ever)

 

 

most weekends (nights, weeks, months, etc.)

*See  Adverbs of Frequency      

 

 

 

Common Mistakes
ERRORS FIXES 

I apply to attend college this semester.   (this semester is temporary.)

I am applying to attend college this semester.

Just for now, I take the bus to work.   (Just for now is temporary.)

Just for now, I am taking the bus to work.

I study English in the College of San Mateo.  (The activity is temporary.)

I am studying English in the College of San Mateo.

Hurry up! I wait for you.  (The activity is temporary.)

Hurry up! I am waiting for you.

 

 

 

Sentence Forms

Word Order

 

 

SENTENCE TYPE SUBJECT AUXILIARY VERB SUBJECT MAIN VERB REST OF SENTENCE CLAUSE

STATEMENT 

 

 

 

 

 

I

 

am working

 

as a nurse. 

 

 
   

Isabela

is working

as a nurse. 

 
   

Isabela and her friend

are studying

together.

 

QUESTION

  

 

 

Am

 

I

 

working   

 

tonight?

 
 

Is

Isabela

working   

tonight?

 
 

Are 

Isabela and her friend

studying   

tonight?

 

*TAG QUESTION

 

 

 

 

 

I

 

am working

 

tonight,

 

aren't  I?
   

Isabela

is working

tonight,

isn't she?
   

Isabela and her friend

are studying

tonight.

aren't  they?

NEGATIVE

 

 

I

 

am not

 

 

 

working

 

tonight.

 

 

Isabela

isn't   (not)

  

working

tonight.

 

Isabela and her friend

aren't   (not)

  

studying

together.

 

EMPHASIS

 

 

I

 

am

 

 

 

working

 

with her.

 

 

Isabela

is

  

working

tonight.

 

Isabela and her friend

are

  

studying

together.
 

 

*A tag question can also occur with a negative main sentence and a postive final question: They don't plant in the spring, do they?   See And so / too.       
Use emphasis word order when contradicting or stating that the opposite is true: "I think Isabela isn't working tonight."   "No, she is working tonight."  

 

Related page:  3rd Person Ageement.      

 

 

 

GeorgePractice 1

An Introduction

 

 

Enter the correct tense and subject-verb agreement.

  1. Type your answer in the box.
  2. Then, check your answers by comparing your responses with the answer below.

 

             

 

 

           

         Text View of Answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

students talkingPractice 2

Asking About Current Activities

 

 

 

  1. Select the verb that best completes the sentence.  
  2. An asterisk (*) indicates an incorrect response.

 

# QUESTION YOUR RESPONSE FEEDBACK

1.
What are you doing in school?


 
  
2. Do you like your classes?

 
3. How about you?    _______ now?

 
4. Are you from around here?  Where _________ ?

(Permanent residence:  city, country)

 

 "In Athens, Greece."
5. "and while in the United States?  Where _______ now?

(Temporary residence: area or streat)		  

 

 "

 "In an apartment with some friends on El Camino."
6. "I have to go now.  Oh look.   _______ . "
  

 

 "

 "Yes, I see!."
7. I'm glad I _________ my umbrella.  Goodbye.
  

 

 "

"Goodbye"
     

 

 

 

 

Answers 1

Text View

 

My name is George . I  am from Greece.  I am in the U. S. to improve my English. I am studying at a community college this semester.   I am taking three classes. I am planning to add one more class.  Currently, in my English class, we are leaning how to maintain a "blog" on the Internet. At the same time, I am improving my typing skills!

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