Lesson 2 · Present Continuous

Now and around now

Now and for a while

The present continuous isn't for every kind of present. It shows a process: an action happening at the moment of speaking, or one that fills a temporary period around it.

Two sizes of “now”

right nowyou can see or hear the action: now, right now, at the moment, and the signals Look! and Listen!
these daysthe situation is temporary, though not necessarily happening this second: today, this week, these days

Size

moment of speaking

temporary period

Marker

now / at the moment

today / this week

Example

I am reading now.

She is working from home this week.

Listen! The baby is sleeping.

We are learning a lot this week.

In short

nowthe action is happening as we speak
Look! / Listen!you can see or hear the process
this week / these daysa temporary situation around today

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Lesson 2 · Present Continuous

Now and around now

Now and for a while

The present continuous isn't for every kind of present. It shows a process: an action happening at the moment of speaking, or one that fills a temporary period around it.

Two sizes of “now”

right nowyou can see or hear the action: now, right now, at the moment, and the signals Look! and Listen!
these daysthe situation is temporary, though not necessarily happening this second: today, this week, these days

Size

moment of speaking

temporary period

Marker

now / at the moment

today / this week

Example

I am reading now.

She is working from home this week.

Listen! The baby is sleeping.

We are learning a lot this week.

In short

nowthe action is happening as we speak
Look! / Listen!you can see or hear the process
this week / these daysa temporary situation around today

Back to lessons