Accent on the present: the present continuous

5.17 If you want to talk about something that is happening at the moment you are speaking, you use the present continuous.

We're having a meeting. Come and join in.

What am I doing? I'm looking out of the window.

My head is aching.

I'm already feeling tense.

5.18 If you want to emphasize the present moment or to indicate that a situation is temporary, you use the present continuous.

Only one hospital, at Angal, is functioning.

We're trying to create a more democratic society.

She's spending the summer in Europe.

I'm working as a British Council Officer.

5.19 You also use the present continuous to indicate changes, trends, development, and progress.

The village is changing but it is still undisturbed.

His handwriting is improving.

World energy demand is increasing at a rate of about 3% per year.

5.20 If you want to talk about a habitual action that takes place regularly, especially one which is new or temporary, you use the present continuous.

'You're drinking too much.'—'Only at home. No one sees me but you.'

Do you know if she's still playing these days?

She's seeing a lot more of them.

Emphasizing time in the present: using adjuncts

5.21 You do not normally need to use an adjunct of time or other time expression with present tenses, but you can add them in order to emphasize the immediate present or general present, or to contrast the present with the past or future.

We're working with Robert Hardy just at this moment, recording an autumn series.

We're safe now.

What's the matter with you today, Marnie?

I haven't got a grant this year.

general truths 5.22 If you are using the simple present to talk about something that is always or generally true, you can reinforce or weaken your statement by using an adverb.

Babies normally lose weight in the beginning.

The official attitude is usually one of ridicule.

Traditionally, the Communist Party does well in local elections.

Here is a list of common adverbs that can be used to modify your statement in this way:

always generally

mainly normally

often traditionally

usually

The use of the simple present to talk about general truths is explained in paragraph 5.10.

regular actions 5.23 When you use the simple present to say that an action takes place regularly, you can use an adjunct of frequency to be more specific about how often it happens.

Several groups meet weekly.

I visit her about once every six months.

It seldom rains there.

I never drink alone.

The use of the simple present to talk about regular activities is explained in paragraph 5.11.

More information about adjuncts of frequency, including a list of the most common ones, can be found in paragraphs 5.114 to 5.122.

frequent actions 5.24 The present continuous is also used with adjuncts of frequency when you want to emphasize how often the action takes place. This is often done to express disapproval or annoyance. The adjunct of frequency is placed after the auxiliary verb.

You're always looking for faults.

It's always raining.

And she's always talking to him on the telephone.

They are forever being knocked down by cars.

The use of the present continuous to talk about frequent, habitual actions is explained in paragraph 5.20.

adjuncts with present tenses 5.25 Note that many adjuncts of time such as 'now' and 'today' which refer to the present time are also sometimes used with other tenses. However, there are a few adjuncts which are almost always used with present tenses.

I shared a taxi with Jerry Laws, who was formerly a boxer and is presently a singer.

...the camping craze that is currently sweeping America.

Nowadays fitness is becoming a generally accepted principle of life.

The following is a list of adjuncts which are normally only used with the present tense:

at present currently

in this day and age nowadays

these days

Note that in this list the word 'presently' means 'now'.