6.1 Uses of the present continuous Presentation

Read these three passages, each of which uses the Present Continuous

A ... And now the Royal Coach is turning into Parliament Square. There are thousands of people waiting in the Square, and everyone is standing on tiptoe, trying to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family. The children are all waving their Union Jacks ... Now the coach is stopping and the Queen is getting out. She’s wearing...

В ... There are two continuing reasons for the danger of flooding. These are that London is slowly sinking and that the tides in general are rising. Not only is central London sinking on its bed of clay, but over the centuries Britain itself is tilting. Scotland and the northwest are rising, and southeastern England is gradually dipping at a rate of one foot every hundred years ...

С Having a lovely time in London. We’re eating in some very expensive restaurants, and meeting lots of interesting people. I’m spending most of my time walking around central London and visiting museums. The Cup Final’s tomorrow, so everyone’s talking about football...

All the passages are talking about ‘now’. In what ways are they different?

6.2 What are they doing? Practice

A: Hello, Suntours Ltd. Can I help you ?

В: Yes, I’d like to speak to the Manager, please.

A: I’m afraid he’s not available at the moment. He’s attending a meeting.

В: Oh. Could I speak to his secretary, then ?

A: I’m afraid she’s not available, either. She’s ...

Have conversations like this, using these ideas:

1. Murphie’s Garage: Mr Murphie; the chief mechanic.

2. Ogilvie, Blunt & Partners (Solicitors): Mr Ogilvy; Mr Blunt.

3. University Physics Dept: Dr Lloyd; Dr Lloyd’s secretary.

4. The Regency School of English: the Director; the Information Officer.

5. Buckingham Palace: the Queen; the Duke of Edinburgh; Prince Charles.

6.3 See for yourself

Presentation

Example: Somebody’s watching us.

There’s somebody watching us.

We’re being watched.

Change these sentences in the same way:

1. Someone’s following us. 2. Some men are pulling down the house. 3. Another car’s overtaking us. 4. Someone’s looking after the children. 5. Two policemen are questioning the man.

6. A man’s feeding the tigers. 7. Nobody’s using the car today. 8. Nobody’s guarding the prisoner. 9. Is anybody making the tea ? 10. Is anyone using this room?

Practice

Add an explanation to each of the remarks below, saying what is happening.

Examples Don’t go out in your sandals: It’s pouring with rain.

Could you answer the door: There’s someone ringing the bell.

Keep your head down: We’re being shot at.

1. Don’t switch the radio off: 2. You’d better hurry up and eat that ice cream: 3. We need to have our roof repaired: 4. Pass me a paper handkerchief:

5. I’m afraid you can’t use that room just now: 6. You should put some suntan oil on your back: 7. There’s no need to worry about the children: 8. Quick, darling, hide in the wardrobe: