ESL BLUE(s)

Troubleshooting present progressive forms

Here are some of the most common errors using the present progressive (continuous) forms.
The correct form is given first:

Correct Forms	Common Errors
Bob:   I am enjoying the show. How about you? Linda: Me too. I am having a lot of fun.	I enjoying  the show. How about you? I am enjoy  the show. How about you?
To make positive statements, use the auxiliary verb "to be" (am, is, are ) in the following order: Subject  +  auxiliary  +  basic verb form+ing If verb ends in 'e,' drop the 'e:' have --> having
Shhh! You're making too much noise.	Shhh!  Your  making too much noise.
'Your' is a possessive adjective:     Is this your book?
Look at the kids! They're having a lot of fun.	Look at the kids!  Their  having a lot of fun. Look at the kids!  There  having a lot of fun.
'Their' is a possessive adjective:      My parents are coming in their car. 'There' means 'in that place"'     I wonder what they're doing there.
I'm bored. I am not enjoying this show.	I'm bored. I  not  enjoying this show. I'm bored. I  don't  enjoying this show.
To make negative statements, use the following order: Subject  +  auxiliary  +  not  +  verb+ing
Paula's sick. She isn't coming to work today.	Paula's sick. She  isnt  coming to work today.. Paula's sick. She  is'nt  coming to work today.
To form contractions replace the dropped vowel with an apostrophe. It's not raining today. (drop the 'i.') It isn't raining today. (drop the 'o.')
Where are you going for your vacation?	Where  you are going  for your vacation? Where  do you going  for your vacation?
To ask most types of questions, use the following order: auxiliary  +  subject  +  basic verb form+ing

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