Grade 2 English Tenses β Present Continous Tense Notes
English β Tenses: Present Continuous
Simple notes for age 7 (Kenya). Use the Present Continuous to say what is happening now.
What is it?
We use the Present Continuous to show actions happening right now. Think: "I am eating now." π½οΈ
How we make it
Subject + am / is / are + verb + -ing
- I am (I'm) + verb+ing β I am reading. π
- You / We / They are (You're / We're / They're) + verb+ing β They are playing. β½
- He / She / It is (He's / She's / It's) + verb+ing β She is cooking. π²
Negative & Questions
Negative: am not / is not (isn't) / are not (aren't)
Question: Am I ... ? Is he ... ? Are they ... ?
Short answers: Yes, I am. No, she isn't.
Examples (Kenyan life)
- The children are playing in the school field. π«β½
- Mum is cooking ugali. π½οΈ
- The teacher is writing on the board. βοΈ
- A boy is running to the matatu. ππββοΈ
- The dog is sleeping under the tree. πΆπ³
Easy rules for making -ing
- Most verbs: add -ing. play β playing
- Verbs ending with silent e: drop the e, then add -ing. cook β cooking, make β making
- Short verb with one vowel+one consonant: double the last letter. run β running
Signal words (these tell you use Present Continuous)
now, right now, at the moment, today, Look!
Practice β Fill the blanks
- I ___ (eat) lunch now. π½οΈ
- They ___ (play) football. β½
- She ___ (write) on the board. βοΈ
- We ___ (run) to the field. πββοΈ
- The baby ___ (sleep) in the shade. π€
- Mum ___ (cook) sukuma wiki. π₯¬
Answers
- I am eating lunch now.
- They are playing football.
- She is writing on the board.
- We are running to the field.
- The baby is sleeping in the shade.
- Mum is cooking sukuma wiki.
Tips for learners
- Look for the word "now" β use Present Continuous.
- Say the helping verb first: am / is / are β then verb+ing.
- Practice with things you see every day: people, animals, school.
Have fun learning! π