Shadowing Practice: Day 2: Present Continuous | Master all the English Tenses in 12 days - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Hey, before you do anything else right now… Look around you.
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What do you see?
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What is happening around you at this exact moment?
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Maybe someone is talking near you.
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Maybe music is playing.
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Maybe the wind is blowing outside your window.
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All of that, everything happening right now, has its own tense in English.
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And if you don't know this tense, you are missing a huge part of the English language.
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But after this video, you will never miss it again.
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We are going to explain everything, every use, every rule, every mistake, with real conversations, real examples, and zero confusion.
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This is your complete crash course on the present continuous.
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Everything you need in one video.
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So don't move.
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Don't scroll.
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Stay right here.
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Because what is happening right now is that your English is about to get so much better.
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Let's go.
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Hello everyone.
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Welcome back to the channel.
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And welcome back to our Master Every Tenth series.
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I'm David.
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And I'm Alice, and oh my goodness, the response to video one was absolutely incredible.
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So many of you wrote your daily routines in the comments, in English, perfectly.
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We read every single comment, and we are so proud of every one of you.
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You are doing amazing.
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If you haven't watched video one yet, please go back and watch it first, because this series is connected.
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Each video builds on the one before, and video one, the present simple, is the foundation.
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You can find it right at the beginning of the playlist.
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Watch it, then come back here.
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But if you already watched video one, welcome back.
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Let's do a super quick review before we start today.
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In video one, we learned the present simple, and we said the present simple is for habits,
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routines, facts, permanent situations, opinions, timetables, and instructions.
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Things that are always true.
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Things you do regularly.
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Your permanent reality.
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I drink coffee every morning.
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Habit.
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Present simple.
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The sun rises in the east.
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Fact.
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Present simple.
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She works at a hospital.
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Permanent situation.
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Present simple.
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Good review.
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Now today we are moving to video two, and today's tense is the present continuous.
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The present continuous, also called the present progressive.
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Two names, same tense.
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And today, just like video one, this is a complete crash course.
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Everything about the present continuous, in one video, so you never need to watch another video about it again.
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Everything.
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Every use, every rule, every form, every common mistake.
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All right here.
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Let's begin.
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Okay, David, same question as last time.
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Let's start from the very beginning.
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What is the present continuous?
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Perfect.
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So the present continuous is a verb tense, and the most basic use, the most important use, is for things that are happening right now,
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at this exact moment, as you speak.
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Right now, as we speak.
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Yes.
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For example, right now, you and I are sitting in front of a camera.
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We are talking to our viewers.
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We are teaching English.
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We are talking.
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We are teaching present continuous, because it's happening right now, at this moment.
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Exactly.
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And that is the heart of the present continuous, the present moment.
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What is happening now?
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Now, let me ask you something, David.
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How is this different from the present simple?
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Because I think this is the question that every learner wants to know.
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Great question.
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And it's the most important question about these two tenses.
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Let me show you with a simple example.
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I drink coffee.
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Present simple.
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This means it's my habit.
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I drink coffee every morning.
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It's something I always do.
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I am drinking coffee, present continuous.
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This means right now, at this moment.
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I have a cup of coffee in my hand and I am drinking it right now.
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Oh, so the difference is habit versus right now.
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Exactly.
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I drink coffee every day.
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It's my habit.
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I am drinking coffee right now, this second.
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Let me try another one.
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She reads books, habit.
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She reads books regularly, often. And?
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She is reading a book.
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Right now, she has a book in her hands at this moment.
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Perfect.
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And one more.
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He runs every morning.
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Habit.
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He is running.
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Right now.
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Maybe you can see him outside the window right now.
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He is running.
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You've got it perfectly.
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Habit versus right now.
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Present simple versus present continuous.
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And this difference, this one difference, is something that confuses so many English learners.
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But now it's clear.
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And it will stay clear for you forever.
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But, and this is important the present continuous is not only for right now it has other uses too
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and today we cover all of them just like we covered
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all six uses of the present simple in video one today
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we cover all the uses of the present continuous let's go
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through them now let's talk about how to form the present continuous
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because the structure is different from the present simple yes
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and the good news is The structure of the present continuous is very clear, very logical.
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Once you learn it, it's easy to use.
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Let's start with positive sentences.
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The structure is subject plus am is are plus verb with ing.
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Subject plus am is or are plus the verb ending in ing.
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So the verb always has ing at the end.
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Yes, always ing.
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Let me show you.
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I am working through I am working.
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You are working through you are working He is working through
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he's working She is working through she's working It is working
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through it's working We are working through we're working They are working through they're working So am is only for I, is is for he, she,
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it Are is for you, we, they Exactly, and in spoken English we almost always use contractions, short forms I am through I'm,
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I'm working You are through your, you're working He is through he's, he's working She is through she's, she's working It is through its,
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it's working We are through we're, we're working They are through their, they're working In real conversations, native speakers almost always use these short forms I'm working,
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not I am working It sounds more natural Now negative sentences, very simple We just add not after am, is, or are I am not working,
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through I'm not working She is not sleeping through she isn't sleeping or she's not sleeping.
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They are not listening through they aren't listening or they're not listening.
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There are two ways to make the short negative form.
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For example, she isn't or she's not.
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Both are correct.
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Both are natural.
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Yes, both forms are used.
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He isn't coming or he's not coming.
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Both correct. And questions.
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How do we make questions?
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For questions, we just move am, is, or are to the front of the sentence before the subject.
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You are working through are you working? working, she is sleeping, through is she sleeping, they are coming, through are they coming, he is watching TV, through is he watching TV.
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So in questions, am, is, are come first, then the subject, then the verb with ing.
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And with question words, same pattern.
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Question word first, then am, is, are, then subject, then ing verb.
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What are you doing?
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Where is she going?
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Why are they laughing?
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Who is he calling?
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What is happening?
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What is happening?
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One of the most useful phrases in English you can use it in
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so many situations yes when you're confused
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when things get crazy what is happening right now perfect present
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continuous question okay now we need to talk about spelling
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because adding ing to a verb is not always simple there are some spelling rules yes
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and this is something many learners get wrong so let's go through the rules carefully rule number one for For most verbs, just add ING.
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Simple.
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Work, working, eat, eating, sleep, sleeping, talk, talking, play, playing, read, reading.
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Easy.
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Just add ING and nothing changes.
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Rule number two.
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If the verb ends in a silent E, remove the E, then add ING.
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Make, making, not making, come, coming, not coming, write, writing, not writing have,
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having, dance, dancing, smile, smiling.
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So the silent e disappears, and then we add ing.
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Yes, because making looks wrong and sounds wrong.
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We remove the e and write making.
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Rule number three.
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If the verb is short, one syllable, and it ends in consonant, vowel, consonant, we double the last consonant before adding ing.
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Hmm, that sounds complicated.
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Let me explain with examples.
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Run, R -U -N, consonant, vowel, consonant, short word, one syllable.
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So we double the N, running.
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Sit, S -I -T, consonant, vowel, consonant, double the T, sitting.
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Get, G -E -T, double the T, getting.
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Put, P -U -T, double the T, putting.
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Swim, S -W -I -M, double the M, swimming.
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Stop.
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S -T -O -P.
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Double the P.
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Stopping.
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Cut.
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C -U -T.
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Double the T.
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Cutting.
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Hit.
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H -I -T.
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Double the T.
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Hitting.
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So the pattern is short word, ends in consonant, vowel, consonant, double the last letter, then add ING. But why?
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Why do we double the letter?
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Great question.
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Because without doubling, the word would look and sound different running, two Ns.
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If you write running, one N, it looks like it should rhyme with tuning.
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The double letter keeps the short vowel sound.
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Oh, that's a great explanation.
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The double letter protects the vowel sound.
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Exactly.
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But this rule only applies to short words of one syllable.
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For longer words, the rule is a little different.
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Rule number four, for two -syllable verbs, we only double the last consonant if the stress is on the last syllable.
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For example, begin, two syllables, be -gin.
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The stress is on gin, the second syllable, so we double the N, beginning.
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Prefer, pre -fer, stress on fur, double the R, preferring.
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Refer, re -fer, stress on fur, double the R, referring.
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But listen, lis, ten.
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The stress is on lis, the first syllable, so we do not double the n.
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Lissening, not lisennening.
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Open, open.
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Stress on o, first syllable.
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No doubling.
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Opening.
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Happen, hap, pen.
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Stress on first syllable.
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No doubling.
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Happening.
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So the stress tells you whether to double or not.
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If the stress is on the last syllable of a multi -syllable verb, double.
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If stress is on any other syllable, don't double.
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That's a really helpful rule.
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Okay, rule number five.
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If the verb ends in ie, change ie to y, then add ing.
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Die, dying, not dying.
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Lie, lying, not lying.
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Tie, tying, not tying.
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Ie changes to y, then add ing.
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Because two vowels together with ing look strange and sounds wrong.
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Right.
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So those are the five spelling rules.
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Let me quickly review them.
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One, most verbs just add ing.
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Two, silent e at the end, remove e, then add ing.
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Three, short word, consonant, vowel, consonant, double the last letter, then add ing.
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Four, two -syllable verb with stress on last syllable, double the last consonant, then add ing.
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Five, verb ends in ie, change to y, then add ing.
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Five spelling rules, and if you remember these, you will spell every ing form correctly, every time.
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Okay, time for real conversations, And our first conversation is the most classic present continuous situation, talking about what you are doing right now.
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Let's imagine.
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Alice calls me on the phone, right in the middle of a busy day.
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Perfect.
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I'll call you.
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Hey, David, it's me.
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Are you busy right now?
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Oh, hi, Alice.
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Hmm, kind of, yes.
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I'm working on a presentation.
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What's up?
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Oh, sorry.
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Are you still at the office?
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No, no. I'm working from home today.
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I'm sitting at my desk and staring at my computer screen.
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It's not going very well, honestly.
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Oh, no. What's wrong?
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I don't know.
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I'm trying to write the introduction, but the words are not coming.
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You know that feeling.
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Oh, yes.
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I know exactly that feeling.
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So what else is happening?
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What's the noise I can hear in the background?
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Oh, that's my neighbor.
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He is renovating his apartment.
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He's been drilling for hours.
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It's driving me crazy.
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Oh, that's so annoying.
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And it's two o 'clock in the afternoon.
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I know.
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And his dog is barking, too.
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The dog always barks when the drilling starts.
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So I'm working, the neighbor is drilling, the dog is barking.
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It's quite a scene here.
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Poor you.
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What are you drinking?
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Are you drinking coffee?
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Yes, I'm on my third cup.
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I'm drinking way too much coffee today.
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David, that's not good for you.
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I know, I know.
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What about you?
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What are you doing right now?
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Me?
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I'm sitting in a cafe.
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I'm reading a book and having a lovely time.
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The sun is shining.
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People are walking by outside it's very peaceful.
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Oh, that sounds amazing.
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What are you reading?
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A travel book.
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I'm planning my next holiday.
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I'm thinking about going to Japan.
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Japan.
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Wow.
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When are you going?
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I'm thinking about next spring.
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I'm not booking anything yet.
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I'm just dreaming for now.
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That's the best part, the dreaming stage.
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Okay, Alice, I should get back to my presentation.
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This thing is not writing itself.
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Okay, good luck.
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And drink some water instead of coffee.
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Yes, yes.
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Bye, Alice.
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Bye, David.
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Good luck.
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End of conversation one.
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Let's look at all the present continuous forms we used.
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I'm working.
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I'm sitting.
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I'm trying.
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He is renovating.
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He's been drilling.
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Well, that last one is a different tense, but the rest are all present continuous.
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The dog is barking.
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I'm drinking.
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I'm reading.
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The sun is shining.
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People are walking.
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I'm planning.
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I'm thinking.
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I'm booking. So many.
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And all of them were describing things happening at that moment, in that phone call, right then.
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And the conversation felt completely natural.
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Because in real life, when someone calls you, the first thing they ask is, what are you doing right now?
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Present continuous.
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And your answer is always present continuous.
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I'm working.
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I'm cooking.
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I'm watching TV, I'm getting ready.
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This is the most common use of present continuous in daily life and now you can use it perfectly.
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Okay, the present continuous has five main uses, five situations where we use it.
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Let's go through each one.
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Alice, help me with examples as always.
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Always ready.
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Use number one, actions happening right now at this exact moment.
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I am watching a video right now.
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She is cooking dinner right now.
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They're playing football outside.
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right now it is raining right now look outside he is
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sleeping at this moment don't make noise all of these are
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things happening at this exact moment as you speak as you
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see them use number two use number two temporary situations things
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that are true right now but not permanently things
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that will change oh this is
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so interesting can you explain more sure remember in video one we said she works at a hospital.
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That's her permanent job.
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Present simple.
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But what if she's only working at the hospital for a few months?
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Temporarily?
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Then we say, she is working at the hospital this month.
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Present continuous.
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Because it's temporary.
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Oh, so the difference is permanent equals present simple.
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Temporary equals present continuous.
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Exactly.
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Let me give you more examples.
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I live in Paris.
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Present simple.
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This is my home.
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My permanent place.
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I am living in Paris this year.
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Present continuous.
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I'm here temporarily, maybe for work or study.
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He studies medicine.
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Present simple.
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It's his field, his subject.
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He is studying a lot this week.
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Present continuous.
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This week specifically, he's studying more than usual.
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It's temporary.
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They speak quietly, maybe a habit.
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They are speaking quietly today because the baby is sleeping.
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Temporary, right now.
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I love this.
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The same verb, but the tense changes the whole meaning.
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The tense is powerful.
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Use Use number three.
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Use number three?
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Use number three.
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Changing or developing situations.
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Things that are in the process of changing, growing, improving, getting worse, getting better.
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Oh, like the world is changing?
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Exactly.
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The world is changing very fast.
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It's a process.
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It's ongoing.
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It's developing.
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Technology is getting better every year.
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Prices are rising.
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They are in the process of going up.
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My English is improving.
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It's developing, getting better over time.
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The situation is getting worse.
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It's changing in a negative direction.
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More and more people are learning English online, a trend, a change happening in the world.
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These are all processes, changes, things that are developing over a period of time.
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Not habits, not permanent facts, but things that are actively changing.
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And we use present continuous to describe these changes.
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Yes.
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Use number four, plans and arrangements for the future.
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Wait, the future?
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But this is a present tense.
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I know.
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This surprises many learners.
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But in English, we often use the present continuous to talk about future plans that are already arranged, already decided, already organized.
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Give me an example.
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I am meeting my friend tomorrow.
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It's in the future.
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Tomorrow.
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But we've already arranged it.
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We already decided.
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The plan is confirmed.
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She is flying to London next week.
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Future.
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But the ticket is booked.
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The plan is made.
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We are having dinner with my parents on Saturday.
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Future.
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But it's arranged.
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It's decided.
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He is starting his new job on Monday.
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Future.
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But it's organized.
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It's confirmed.
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So when a future plan is already arranged, already organized and confirmed, we can use present continuous.
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It shows the plan is real.
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It's happening.
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And what's the difference between this and just using will?
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I will meet my friend tomorrow.
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Great question.
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And we will explore this deeply in the future tense videos.
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Videos 9, 10, 11, and 12 in our playlist.
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But for now, I am meeting my friend tomorrow sounds more certain, more planned, more organized.
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I will meet my friend can sound more like a decision you're making right now.
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Got it.
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Present continuous for future means the plan is already made, already arranged.
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Exactly.
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And use number five, the last one.
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Using present continuous with always to show annoyance or irritation about a repeated action.
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Oh, this one is very interesting and very useful for expressing feelings.
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Yes.
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Normally, always goes with present simple, for habits.
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He always wakes up early.
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Normal habit.
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But sometimes we use always with present continuous to show that something happens too often.
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It annoys us.
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It irritates us.
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Like, he is always losing his keys.
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It happens too much.
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It drives you crazy.
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She is always talking on the phone.
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It happens constantly.
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Too much.
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You're annoyed.
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They are always making noise.
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It's a repeated behavior that bothers you.
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He is always arriving late it happens again and again
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and it frustrates you
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so the present continuous with always adds emotion it shows this happens too much
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and i don't like it exactly compare he always arrives late
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neutral just a fact a habit the present continuous version has
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emotion emotion color it sounds like a real frustrated person speaking
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and that makes your english sound very natural very human very real i love use number five it's
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so expressive okay quick review of the five uses everyone say
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them with us one actions happening right now two temporary situations
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three changing
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and developing situations four arranged future plans five annoying repeated behavior
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with always five uses all present continuous all important all useful in real everyday english
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Our second conversation focuses on use number two, temporary situations, things that are true right now, but will change.
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This is such an important use, and it's one that many learners miss.
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Let's practice it.
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Imagine, two friends meet after not seeing each other for a while.
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Let me start.
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Alice!
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Oh wow, I haven't seen you in so long.
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How are you?
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David, hi.
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I know it's been months.
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I'm great actually.
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A lot of things are changing in my life right now.
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Really?
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Tell me everything.
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What's going on?
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Well, you know I moved, right?
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I'm staying with my sister for now, just temporarily, while my new apartment is being prepared.
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Oh, interesting.
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And how is that going?
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Are you enjoying living with your sister?
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It's okay.
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We get along well, but it's her house, so, you know, I'm trying to be a good guest.
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I'm helping with the cooking and cleaning every day.
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That's very thoughtful of you.
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And how about work?
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Are you still at the same company?
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No, actually.
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I'm working at a new company now.
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Well, technically, I'm doing a contract project.
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It's not permanent.
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I'm only working there until December.
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Oh, so you're looking for something more permanent?
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Yes.
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I'm applying for a few different positions right now.
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I'm sending out applications this week, actually.
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Wow, a lot is happening for you.
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How are you feeling about it all?
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Honestly, I'm feeling a little stressed, but also excited.
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Everything is changing at the same time.
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My home, my job, my routine.
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It's a lot.
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I understand.
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Change can be overwhelming, but it sounds like good change.
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Yes, I think so.
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It's just temporary chaos.
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Things are getting better every week.
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I'm slowly finding my balance again.
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That's the spirit.
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And you look great, by the way.
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Are you doing something different?
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Are you exercising more?
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Yes, actually.
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I'm going to yoga three times a week now.
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I started last month.
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I'm really enjoying it.
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That's wonderful.
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And it's showing.
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You look very healthy.
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Thank you, David.
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What about you?
531
What's new with you?
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Me?
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Honestly, not much is changing in my life right now.
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Everything is pretty stable.
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But I'm working on a big project at work.
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It's taking a lot of my energy this month.
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What kind of project?
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We're developing a new product.
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The whole team is working extra hours right now.
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It's intense, but it should be finished by the end of the month.
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That sounds exciting, though.
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I hope it goes well.
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Thank you.
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I think it will.
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Okay, shall we go get some coffee?
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Yes, I'm dying for a good coffee right now.
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End of conversation, too.
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And this one was full of temporary situations.
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I'm staying with my sister.
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Temporary.
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She won't live there forever.
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I'm working at a new company.
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Temporary.
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Only until December.
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I'm applying for positions.
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Happening right now.
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This period.
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Things are getting better.
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Changing situation.
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Improving.
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We're developing a new project.
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Temporary project.
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We'll finish soon.
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All present continuous.
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All temporary.
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All in progress right now.
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And all going to change.
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This is so important.
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If something is permanent, use present simple.
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If it's temporary or in progress right now, use present continuous.
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Permanent, present simple.
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Temporary, present continuous.
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Write that down.
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Conversation number three.
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And this one is about changing and developing situations.
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Things happening in the world.
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Things that are in the process of change.
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This is use number three.
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And it's very useful for talking about trends, current events, and developments.
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Let's go.
581
I'll start.
582
David, have you noticed how much things are changing these days?
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Oh, yes.
584
Everything is changing so fast.
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Sometimes it feels hard to keep up.
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I know.
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I was thinking about it this morning.
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The way we work is changing completely.
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More and more people are working from home now.
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That's true.
591
And companies are changing too.
592
They're becoming more flexible.
593
They're offering remote work options that didn't exist before.
594
And technology is developing so fast.
595
Every month there's something new.
596
Something that changes how we live.
597
Absolutely.
598
And it's affecting everything.
599
The way we shop, the way we communicate, the way we learn.
600
Speaking of learning, online education is growing enormously.
601
More and more people are learning new skills online, learning languages online.
602
Like our viewers.
603
They are learning English right now from wherever they are in the world.
604
That's incredible.
605
It really is.
606
20 years ago, this wasn't possible.
607
Now people are sitting in their homes in Morocco or Brazil or Japan
608
and learning English with us the world is becoming smaller in
609
a wonderful way connections are growing communities are forming online people from different cultures are communicating more than ever
610
and english is at the center of all of it the importance of english is increasing every year
611
and the good news is it's getting easier to learn the
612
tools are getting better the resources are improving people are finding new
613
and creative ways to study like listening to us while cooking or driving Exactly.
614
And you know what?
615
People's attitudes are changing too.
616
People are becoming more open to making mistakes in English.
617
They're becoming more confident.
618
Yes.
619
And that's the most important change of all.
620
Because confidence is the key.
621
When you feel confident, you speak.
622
When you speak, you improve.
623
The world is changing.
624
English is growing.
625
And you, our viewers, are growing with it.
626
End of conversation 3.
627
Now let's find all the changing situation present in Tenuous Forms.
628
more confident so many and every single one describes something
629
that is changing developing in process not finished still happening this
630
is how we talk about the world about trends about things
631
that are in the process of change present continuous okay time to talk about mistakes
632
because knowing what's wrong helps you stay right and i made every single one of these mistakes.
633
So don't worry, you're not alone.
634
Mistake number one, using present continuous instead of present simple for habits.
635
Wrong.
636
I am going to school every day, right?
637
I go to school every day.
638
Wrong.
639
She is drinking coffee every morning, right?
640
She drinks coffee every morning.
641
If it's a habit, every day, every week, regularly, always use present simple, not present continuous.
642
Present continuous is for right now or temporarily, not for things that always happen.
643
Mistake number two, using stata verbs in the present continuous.
644
Ah, this is a very important mistake.
645
Remember in video one, we talked about stata verbs, verbs for feelings, thoughts, senses, and states?
646
Love, know, want, need, understand, believe, like, hate, see, hear, smell, think, opinion.
647
These verbs almost never go in the present continuous, even when you're talking about right now.
648
Wrong.
649
I am knowing the answer, right?
650
I know the answer.
651
Wrong.
652
She is wanting a coffee, right?
653
She wants a coffee.
654
Wrong.
655
He is loving this song, right?
656
He loves this song.
657
Wrong.
658
I am understanding now, right?
659
I understand now.
660
These verbs describe states not actions and states use present simple even
661
when they're happening right now however some stative verbs can be used in present continuous
662
when they have an active different meaning oh give examples think i think you're right opinion present simple
663
but i'm thinking about my holiday mental process actively thinking present
664
continuous see i see what you mean understanding present simple
665
but I'm seeing a doctor tomorrow meeting appointment present continuous have I have a car possession present simple
666
but I'm having lunch right now activity present continuous so
667
when the verb describes a state present simple
668
when the same verb describes an active process or activity present continuous can work context is everything this is more advanced points,
669
but very useful to know.
670
Mistake number three, forgetting the verb to be.
671
The am, is, are.
672
Wrong.
673
She working right now.
674
Right.
675
She is working right now.
676
Wrong.
677
They coming to the party.
678
Right.
679
They are coming to the party.
680
Wrong.
681
I drinking coffee.
682
Right.
683
I am drinking coffee.
684
The verb to be, am, is, are, is absolutely essential in present continuous.
685
Without it, the sentence is incomplete.
686
Incorrect.
687
Always remember, am is are plus ing.
688
You cannot have one without the other in present continuous.
689
Mistake number four.
690
Wrong spelling of the ing form.
691
Wrong.
692
She is making dinner.
693
Should be making.
694
Remove the e.
695
Wrong.
696
He is running.
697
Should be running.
698
Double the n.
699
Wrong.
700
They are sitting.
701
Should be sitting.
702
Double the t.
703
Wrong.
704
I am dying.
705
Should be dying.
706
Change ie to y.
707
Remember the five spelling rules from part five.
708
They are so important.
709
Get the spelling right.
710
Mistake number five, using present continuous for general facts.
711
Wrong.
712
The sun is rising in the east, as a general fact.
713
Right.
714
The sun rises in the east, general fact, present simple.
715
Wrong.
716
Water is boiling at 100 degrees, as a scientific fact.
717
Right.
718
Water boils at 100 degrees, scientific fact, present simple.
719
General facts never change, So they use present simple, not present continuous.
720
But if you look outside and the sun is actually rising right now at this moment, you could say the sun is rising because you were describing what's happening right now.
721
Context again.
722
Is it a fact?
723
Present simple.
724
Is it happening right now?
725
Present continuous.
726
Okay, I want to dedicate a whole section to the most important question about these two tenses, the comparison between present simple and present continuous,
727
because this is where most learners get confused.
728
Perfect.
729
Let's put them side by side.
730
Same subject, same verb, different tense, different meaning.
731
Ready?
732
Let's go.
733
I work versus I am working.
734
I work.
735
It's my job.
736
I do this regularly.
737
Permanent.
738
I am working right now, at this moment, or temporarily.
739
She reads versus she is reading.
740
She reads.
741
She reads regularly.
742
It's a habit.
743
Maybe she loves reading.
744
She is reading right now.
745
She has a book in her hands at this moment.
746
He plays guitar versus he is playing guitar.
747
He plays guitar.
748
He knows how.
749
It's something he does, a skill or hobby.
750
He is playing guitar right now.
751
You can hear him.
752
Maybe he's in the next room.
753
They live in Paris versus they are living in Paris.
754
They live in Paris, their home, their permanent address.
755
They are living in Paris, temporarily, maybe for a year, for work or study.
756
It rains a lot here, versus it is raining.
757
It rains a lot here.
758
General fact about this place.
759
It's a rainy city.
760
It is raining.
761
Look outside.
762
Right now.
763
It's raining.
764
I always lose my keys, versus I am always losing my keys.
765
I always lose my keys.
766
Neutral.
767
Just a fact about me.
768
I am always losing my keys.
769
Emotional.
770
It drives me crazy.
771
It happens too much.
772
Perfect.
773
Let me give you a memory trick for this comparison.
774
Oh yes, tell us.
775
Think of a camera.
776
The present simple is like a photograph.
777
It captures something that is always true, a general reality, a habit, a permanent fact.
778
The present continuous is like a video.
779
It captures something in motion, something happening right now, something developing and changing.
780
Oh, I love that.
781
A photograph versus a video.
782
She drinks tea.
783
Photograph.
784
This is her reality.
785
Always.
786
She is drinking tea.
787
Video.
788
Watch her.
789
Right now.
790
She's drinking tea.
791
That is such a beautiful and clear way to explain it.
792
Photo versus video.
793
Photo.
794
Present simple.
795
Video.
796
Present continuous.
797
I will never forget this now, and I hope our viewers won't either.
798
Just like we talked about time expressions for present simple, let's now look at the time expressions that go with present continuous.
799
These are very useful, because they signal which temps to use.
800
When you hear them, you know it's probably present continuous.
801
Right now, at the moment, at this moment, currently, today, this week, this month, this year,
802
these days, nowadays, still, tonight, this morning, this afternoon.
803
Let me make sentences with each one.
804
I am studying right now.
805
She is working at the moment.
806
They are talking at this moment.
807
He is currently living abroad.
808
I am reading a great book today.
809
We are working on a big project this week.
810
She is learning Spanish this month.
811
Prices are rising this year.
812
People are using phones more these days.
813
Nowadays, more people are working online.
814
Is he still sleeping?
815
I am meeting her tonight.
816
All of these expressions signal the present continuous.
817
They tell you this is happening now, or in this current period of time.
818
And notice, some of these are not just this second.
819
This week, this month, this year, these days, nowadays, these are longer periods, but we still use present continuous because it's a temporary,
820
ongoing situation, not a permanent habit.
821
Great point, Alice.
822
I am reading a great book this week.
823
I'm not reading it every second, but this week it's my current activity, my current focus, present continuous.
824
This is a very important point.
825
Present continuous is not only for this exact second.
826
It's for anything that feels temporarily, current, or in progress.
827
Practice time!
828
Let's do it together.
829
I'll give you sentences.
830
You correct them or complete them.
831
And listeners, please actually do these exercises out loud or in your notebook or in the comments below.
832
Exercise 1.
833
Choose the correct tense, present simple or present continuous.
834
Every morning, she drink green tea.
835
Every morning.
836
That's a routine.
837
Present simple.
838
She drinks green tea.
839
Shh!
840
The baby.
841
Sleep.
842
Right now, don't make noise.
843
The baby is sleeping.
844
Water freeze at zero degrees Celsius.
845
Scientific fact, always true, present simple.
846
Water freezes at zero degrees.
847
Look outside, it snow.
848
Right now, look, it is snowing.
849
He usually take the bus to work, but today he drive because the bus is on strike.
850
Two tenses in one sentence.
851
He usually takes the bus, habit, present simple, but today he is driving, temporary, today only, present continuous.
852
Excellent.
853
Perfect answer.
854
Exercise two.
855
Find and correct the mistakes.
856
I am knowing the answer.
857
Mistake?
858
Yes.
859
State of verb.
860
No doesn't use present continuous.
861
I know the answer.
862
She working in a cafe this summer.
863
Mistake?
864
Yes.
865
Missing to be.
866
She is working in a cafe this summer.
867
They are always leaving their clothes on the floor.
868
Mistake?
869
Actually, no mistake.
870
This is use number five.
871
Present continuous with always to show annoyance.
872
It's correct.
873
And it sounds like a very frustrated parent.
874
Yes, a very frustrated parent indeed.
875
He is going to the gym every day.
876
Hmm, what do you think, listeners?
877
Is it a habit?
878
Then he goes to the gym every day.
879
Present simple.
880
But if it's temporary, this month he's going every day, but usually not, that, then he is going could work.
881
Context again.
882
Always think about context.
883
Okay, final review of everything we learned today.
884
The most important points.
885
Point one.
886
The present continuous has five uses.
887
Right now, temporary situations, changing situations, arranged future plans, annoying repeated behavior with always.
888
Point two.
889
The form is subject plus am is are plus verb with ing, always.
890
Point three.
891
In negatives, add not after am is are.
892
In questions, move M as R to the front.
893
Point four, five spelling rules for ING.
894
Most verbs just add ING.
895
Silent E, remove E, then add ING.
896
Short consonant -vowel consonant, double the last letter.
897
Two -syllable verb with stress on last syllable, double.
898
I -E ending, change to Y, then add ING.
899
Point five, state of verbs almost never use present continuous.
900
Love, know, want, understand, believe, like, hate, present simple only.
901
Point six, the big comparison.
902
Present simple is a photograph.
903
Present continuous is a video.
904
Point seven, time expressions for present continuous include right now, at the moment, currently, today, this week, this month, these days, nowadays, still.
905
Seven key points for the complete present continuous.
906
And coming up next in video three, the present perfect.
907
And this one is so interesting because it's the tense that connects the past to the present, the bridge between what happened before and how it affects you now.
908
I have visited 10 countries.
909
She has finished her homework.
910
Have you ever eaten sushi?
911
All present perfect, all connecting past experience to the present moment.
912
And video three will explain everything completely, clearly, in one crash course.
913
So make sure you watch video three next.
914
It's already in the playlist, waiting for you.
915
Okay, beautiful people.
916
We are at the end of video two of our Master Every Tenth series.
917
And as always, we want to hear from you.
918
So, here is your common challenge for this video.
919
Tell us in the comments.
920
What are you doing right now?
921
As you watch this video, what is happening around you?
922
Write three sentences using the present continuous.
923
For example, I am sitting on my sofa.
924
My cat is sleeping next to me.
925
I am drinking tea and learning English.
926
Simple, natural, beautiful.
927
Present continuous.
928
Write your sentences in the comments.
929
Our community will read them.
930
We will read them.
931
And you will get real practice.
932
Right now.
933
If you enjoyed this video, please hit the like button.
934
It takes one second, but it helps so many other English learners find this series.
935
And subscribe if you haven't already, because videos 3, 4, 5, all 12 videos are coming, and you do not want to miss a single one.
936
Remember, every video in this series builds on the one before, so watch them in order, and by video 12, you will understand every single English tense completely.
937
Take care of yourselves.
938
Keep speaking.
939
Keep practicing.
940
And remember… The present simple is your photograph.
941
The present continuous is your video.
942
And your English story?
943
Is still being written.
944
See you in video three.
945
Bye -bye.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Day 2: Present Continuous”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: present, continuous, simple, verb, ing. This video has 945 sentences and 6231 words to shadow. The speech runs for 38:45. The speaker talks at a natural 161 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 85% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| continuous adjective | /kənˈtɪn.juː.əs/ | Without stopping; without a break, cessation, or interruption. |
| verb noun | /vɝb/ | A word that indicates an action, event, or state of being. |
| habit noun | /ˈhæb.ɪt/ | An action performed on a regular basis. |
| temporary adjective | /ˈtɛmp(əˌɹ)ɛɹi/ | Not permanent; existing only for a period or periods of time. |
| tense noun | /tɛns/ | The property of indicating the point in time at which an action or state of being occurs or exists. |
| versus | /ˈvɝsəs/ | Against; in opposition to. |
| spelling noun | /ˈspɛl.ɪŋ/ | The act, practice, ability, or subject of forming words with letters, or of reading the letters of words; orthography. |
| temporarily adverb | /ˌtɛmpəˈɹɛɹəli/ | For a limited period of time; not permanently. |
| arrange verb | /əˈɹeɪnd͡ʒ/ | To set up; to organize; to put into an orderly sequence or arrangement. |
| photograph noun | /ˈfoʊ.təˌɡɹæf/ | A picture created by projecting an image onto a photosensitive surface such as a chemically treated plate or film, CCD receptor, etc. |
| guitar noun | /ɡɪˈtɑɹ/ | A stringed musical instrument, of European origin, usually with a fretted fingerboard and six strings, played with the fingers or a plectrum (guitar pick). |
| silent adjective | /ˈsaɪ̯lənt/ | Free from sound or noise; absolutely still; perfectly quiet. |
| routine noun | /ɹuˈtin/ | A course of action to be followed regularly; a standard procedure. |
| nowadays adverb | /ˈnaʊ.ə.deɪz/ | At the present time; in the current era. |
| drill noun | /dɹɪl/ | A tool or machine used to remove material so as to create a hole, typically by plunging a rotating cutting bit into a stationary workpiece. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| work through verb | To get past a difficult or stressful situation by thinking or talking about it. |
| go through verb | To travel from one end of something to the other. |
| come back verb | To return to a place. |
| come through verb | To come into a room or other space through a door or passageway. |
| come up verb | To emerge or become known, especially unexpectedly. |
| get along verb | To interact or coexist well, without argument or trouble. |
| get back to verb | Return to (an activity) |
| go back verb | To return to a place or state after having been there at a previous time. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- What is happening around you at this exact moment?
- How do we make questions?
- You are working through are you working?
- Why do we double the letter?
- What's the noise I can hear in the background?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on | He's been drilling |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | is connected · are used · are already arranged |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | haven't watched · we've already arranged · haven't seen |
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | the most basic · the most important · the most useful |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 103 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, don't, they're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: bother /ˈbɑðɚ/, thoughtful /ˈθɔːtfəl/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: emotion /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən/, capture /ˈkæp.(t)ʃɚ/, presentation /ˌpɹɛzn̩ˈteɪʃn̩/, shine /ʃaɪn/, explanation /ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: continuous /kənˈtɪn.juː.əs/, temporary /ˈtɛmp(əˌɹ)ɛɹi/, temporarily /ˌtɛmpəˈɹɛɹəli/, communicate /kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/, complicated /ˈkɑm.plɪˌkeɪ.tɪd/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like continuous, verb, habit.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.