Happening Right Now
Present Continuous
To express what is happening at the present moment in time use the present continuous. The present continuous is also sometimes referred to as the present progressive.
The manager is addressing the stock level at the moment.
Harold isn't getting authorization for the equipment purchase on Tuesday.
She's discussing distribution with the boss at the moment.
Another use of the present continuous is to express what is happening around the current period of time. This is often used in work settings when discussing a project that is currently in progress.
They are working on overcoming stock depletion today.
Positive Form:
Subject + to be + verb + ing + (object(s))
The manager is addressing the stock level at the moment.
Negative Form:
Subject + to be + not + verb + ing + (object(s))
Alice isn't using the specific-purpose equipment properly.
Question Form:
(Wh-) + to be + verb + ing?
What is Bob doing with the dock leveler?
NOTE: Common time expressions used with the present continuous include:
at the moment
currently
this week
today
now
Example:
David is developing an endurance test for the containers now.
Fred is developing a plan to lower overall energy costs at the moment.
Nick is emptying the storage container this week.
Stative Verbs
Stative verbs express a state. Action verbs express an action, or task that someone performs.
Stative are never used in continuous forms. Here is a list of common stative verbs:
believe
understand
think (opinion)
want
hope
smell
taste
feel
sound
look
seem
appear
Example:
The bar code scanner feels hot to the touch after an hour of use.
The protective eyewear feels tight around his face this morning.
The legacy computer system sounds like it is breaking down today.