Present continuous:
Uses:
- temporary situations or actions in progress at or around the time of speaking. The action is likely to continue after the time of speaking.
I'm finishing something in a kitchen.
- commonly used adverbs of time such as: now, just, still, at the moment, currently
The students are currently studying the writings of Günter Grass on the German course.
- with verbs live, work, study and stay it means a temporary action
She's staying in the Waldorf Astoria on this visit to New York, isn't she?
- to talk about repeated events or actions, usually, it they happen within a temporary period
I'm feeding the neighbour's cat while she's away.
- series of actions that are more frequent than we would normally expect
Now that I've bought Toyota Prius, I'm seeing them everywhere!
- with an adverb such as always, forever or continually for frequently repeated actions
The baby's always making cute little gurgling noises.
- this use is more empathetic than using present simple for repeating actions but with a stressed adverb, it can also express annoyance with the person who is doing the action
The neighbours are continually slamming doors and shouting during the night.
- used in sport commentary, when the action is in progress throughout the time of speaking
They're entering the back straight and Bekele is starting to pull away from the other runners...
- used for describing pictures
The head of our department is the one who's standing slightly apart in the college photo.
- used for actions which form a background in an anecdote
There's an old woman with thick glasses who's serving the hot drinks...
- often used at the beginning of books films or plays
At the start of the play, Hamlet is walking along the castle walls...
- used to describe things which are in the process of changing, i.e. trends
While it is often assumed that violent crime is increasing, statistics show that it is actually decreasing in most areas.
Structure:
Subject / to be / base + ing
She + is + talking
Subject / to be + not / base + ing
She + is not (isn't) + talking
To be / subject / base + ing
Is + she + talking ?
Solution to the problem:
1) Lida's boyfriend is watching TV now.
2) Josefina and Lia are not (aren't) washing the dishes.
