Elementary Grammar

Elementary · Grammar Reference

Unit 10 — Present Continuous

Present Continuous · PS vs PC · Whose/Who's

10.1 Present Continuous

1 The Present Continuous describes an activity that is happening now.

She's wearing jeans.I'm studying English.

Positive and negative

I'm watching TV.They aren't watching TV.

Question

What is she thinking?

Yes / No questions and short answers

Question	Short answers
Are you having a good time?	Yes, we are.
Is my English getting better?	Yes, it is.
Are they having a party?	No, they aren't.

Spelling of verb + -ing

1 Most verbs add -ing.

wear → wearing go → going

2 If the infinitive ends in -e, delete the -e and add -ing.

write → writing smile → smiling

3 When a one-syllable verb has one vowel and ends in a consonant, double the consonant and add -ing.

sit → sitting get → getting

10.2 Present Simple and Present Continuous

1 The Present Simple describes things that are always true, or true for a long time.

I come from Switzerland.He works in a bank.

2 The Present Continuous describes activities happening now, and temporary activities.

I'm working very hard this week.Why are you wearing yellow trousers?

10.3 Whose…? or Who's…?

1 Whose…? asks about possession.

'Whose bag is this? Is it yours?' 'No, it isn't mine. It's David's.''Whose are these gloves?' 'They're Emily's.'

2 Who's is the contracted form of Who is…?

'Who's that girl over there?' = 'Who is that girl over there?''That's Paula. She's one of the students in my class.''Who's coming for a pizza?' = 'Who is coming for a pizza?''I'm coming, and Jack and Tracy are, too.'

📌 Note

Whose and Who's sound the same. Be careful not to write them incorrectly.
~~Who's jacket is this?~~ ✗ Whose jacket is this? ✓
~~Whose that boy with Jackie?~~ ✗ Who's that boy with Jackie? ✓