THE

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

(CONTINUOUS) TENSE

PART TWO

Using the present progressive

I’m fighting against the tide here because McDonald’s, the restaurant chain, had a huge publicity campaign with the slogan, “I’m lovin’ it” (lovin’ is a very informal contraction of ‘loving’) and the singer Justin Timberlake had a big hit with a song of the same name in 2003.

So the present progressive is in fashion, and there is no right and wrong in fashion.

The secret of using the present progressive, or continuous, tense successfully is to be very restrictive in its use.

If you use the present progressive you are implying a temporary condition where the circumstances might be permanent.

How to use the present progressive tense:

In many cases the situation is not temporary and you should use the present tense, not the present progressive. Consider the following phrases:

Present tense: I am an engineer. Correct

Present progressive: I am being an engineer. Wrong!

Present tense: I am happy. Correct

Present progressive: I am being happy. Wrong!

Present tense: She has three brothers. Correct.

Present progressive: She is having three brothers. Wrong!

The use of the present progressive in these cases produces a sentence that has no meaning or a very silly meaning.

There are only two circumstances where you should use the present progressive in English –

1.  For a continuing action at the present moment –

I’m reading a book.

I’m washing my hair.

You’re standing on my foot.

2.  For a temporary condition –

I’m applying for a new job.

I’m staying in a deluxe hotel.

He’s talking nonsense again.

The present progressive tense can be used for long-term continuous conditions with words like ‘always’ or ‘forever’:

He’s always complaining about his low pay.

She’s forever telling us about her new boyfriends.

As ever, the newspapers are predicting disaster.

but these don’t justify its frequent use and you should be careful

with this construction.

If the circumstances are permanent, you must not suggest that they are temporary by using the present progressive.

Permanent:  I live in Thailand.

Temporary:  I’m living in Thailand.

Permanent: I hate mice.

Temporary: I’m hating mice.

Permanent: I love my country

Temporary: I’m loving my country.

Think about what you want to say; if you love, hate or fear something it’s most likely to be a permanent condition and you should use the present tense.

Have you read our article Strange British Surnames?

You can now hear the correct pronunciation of these names,

and some places, in my video Strange British Surnames on

YouTube

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