1: First,
we use the present continuous for things that are happening at the moment of
speaking. These things usually last for quite a short time and they are not
finished when we are talking about them.
I'm working
at the moment.
Please call
back as we are eating dinner now.
Julie is
sleeping.
2: We can
also use this tense for other kinds of temporary situations, even if the action
isn't happening at this moment.
John's
working in a bar until he finds a job in his field. (He might not be working
now.)
I'm reading
a really great book.
She's
staying with her friend for a week.
Compare
this with the present simple, which is used for permanent situations that we
feel will continue for a long time.
I work in a
school. (I think this is a permanent situation.)
I'm working
in a school. (I think this is a temporary situation.)
3: We can
use the present continuous for temporary or new habits (for normal habits that
continue for a long time, we use the present simple). We often use this with
expressions like 'these days' or 'at the moment'.
He's eating
a lot these days.
She's
swimming every morning (she didn't use to do this).
You're smoking too much.
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