Page 484 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

present tenses (4): progressive (or 'continuous') 464 Why are you crying? Is something wrong? (NOT Why ti8 16ft ef'j'? ..)
He's working in Saudi Arabia at the moment.
present progressive: temporary actions and situations going on now or around now
We're all waitingforyou. Why areyou crying?
3 repeated actions
The present progressive can refer to repeated actions and events, if these are just happening around the present (for more details, see 466).
Why is he hitting the dog? I'm travelling a lot these days.
4 changes
We also use the present progressive to talk about developments and changes.
That child's getting bigger every day. House prices are going up again.
5 talking about the future
We often use the present progressive to talk about the future (see 214).
What are you doing tomorrow evening?
Come and see us next week ifyou're passing through London.
6 things that happen all the time: not used
We do not normally use the present progressive to talk about permanent situations, or about things that happen regularly, repeatedly or all the time. Compare:
- - -
Look - the eat's eating your breakfast!
What do bears eat?- Everything. (NOT ylhtit are bears eating? ...)
Why is that girl standing on the table?
Chetford Castle stands on a hill outside the town. (NOT . . . is stantiillg ...) My sister's living at home for the moment.
Your parents live in North London, don't they?
7 verbs not used in progressive forms
Some verbs are not used in progressive forms (see 471), even if the meaning is 'just around now'.
I like this wine. (NOT :-"1 liking this wine.)
Do you believe what he says? (NOT J4re 16ft belietJing ... ?)
The tank contains about 7,000 litres at the moment. (NOT The tank is rentaining ...)
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