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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.

 

Elena

 

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. 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.

 

 

Adverbs  —  Telling us When?
ADVERBS FOR PRESENT PROGRESSIVE ADVERBS FOR PRESENT - PERMANENT (ENDURING)
  • for now
  • currently
  • at the moment
  • just now
  • as we speak
  • presently
  • today
  • this morning
  • this week
  • this month
  • this semester
  • this year
  • for a little while
  • in general
  • normally
  • usually
  • as a rule

 

 

 

Common Mistakes
ERRORS FIXES 

*I apply to attend college this semester.

I am applying to attend college this semester.

*Just for now, I take the bus to work.

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

*I study English in the College of San Mateo.

I am studying English in the College of San Mateo.

 

*Match adverbs with tense usage.

 

 

 

 

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 - ANSWERS

 

 

 

 

students talkingPractice 2

Asking About Current Activities

 

 

 

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

 

# QUESTION YOUR RESPONSE REVEAL ANSWER

1.
What are you doing in school?"


 
  
2. "Do you like your classes?"

 
3. "How about you? _______ now?"

 
4. "Are you from around here?"

 

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

 


 "In an apartment with some friends on El Camino."
     

 

 

 

 

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.  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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