Present Continuous Video

Here is my latest video about the present continuous.

If you like this video, please click 'like' and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Here's the script of the video:

In this video we will learn how to use the present continuous. We use the present continuous to describe actions that have started, but haven't finished yet. To make present continuous sentences we use be + verb+ing. This chart shows the grammar we need to make present continuous sentences. Let's look at some examples.

What are you doing? I'm reading a book.

What is he doing? He's taking a nap.

What are they doing? They're playing video games.

For negative sentences we add 'not'.

I'm not playing the flute. I'm playing the guitar.

She isn't playing video games. or She's not playing video games. She's listening to music.

You aren't taking a test. or You're not taking a test. You're doing homework.

Here are some examples of yes/no questions.

Am I getting better? Yes, you are.

Is he playing golf? No, he isn't. What is he doing? He's playing tennis.

Are they watching a movie? Yes, they are.

The action we are talking about is not necessarily happening at that time. We can use the present continuous for any action that has started, but which hasn't finished yet. Listen to this conversation as an example:

A: Are you still learning French?
B: Yeah. I'm taking evening classes. What are you doing over the vacation?
A: I'm learning to surf.

Neither of these people are doing those actions now, but they are actions they have started and haven't finished yet.

We also use the present continuous when talking about the near future. We use future time expressions and context to show we are talking about the future. Consider these examples:

What are you doing after class? I'm taking a piano lesson.

What is she doing on the weekend? She's going shopping.

What are they doing next week? They're taking a vacation.

Jobs Video

Here is my latest video about jobs.

If you like this video, please click 'like' and subscribe to my Youtube channel.


Here's the script of the video:

First let's review the vocabulary for some common jobs.

What does Lucy do? She's a housewife. What does a housewife do? A housewife manages her home.

What's Derek's job? He's a dentist. What does a dentist do? A dentist cares for teeth.

What's Sarah's occupation? She's a pharmacist. Where does a pharmacist work? A pharmacist works in a pharmacy.

What does Colin do? He's a mechanic. Where does a mechanic work? A mechanic works in a garage.

What does Mark do? He's retired. What did he do before he retired? He was an accountant.

What does Claire do for a living? She unemployed, but she has an interview for a job today.

Now we will review some follow-up questions related to jobs.

What's your job? I'm a salesperson. How do you get to work? I usually drive? I sometimes take the subway.

What's your occupation? I'm an office worker. What days do you work? I work Monday to Friday.

What do you do for a living? I'm an engineer. Do you like your job? Yes, I do. It's interesting.

What's your job? I'm a travel agent. Where do you work? I work for ABC Travel Company.

What do you do? I'm a student. What do you study? I study economics.

Now let's play a fun game. I'm thinking of one these jobs. Can you guess who I'm thinking about by asking yes/no questions?

Do they wear a uniform? Yes, they do.

Do they wear a hat? No, they don't.

Do they help people? Yes, they do.

Can you guess who it is?

Is she a nurse? Yes, she is.

Let's play again. Can you guess who I'm thinking of?

Do you they use tools? No, they don't.

Do they wear a hat? Yes, they do.

Do they work on a plane? Yes, they do.

Is the person a flight attendant? No.

Then it must be the pilot. Yes, you're right.

Present Perfect Video

Here is my latest video about the present perfect.

If you like this video, please click 'like' and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Here's the script of the video:


In this video we will learn how to use the present perfect. We use the present perfect to talk about events that affect the present. It is the present result that is the focus, rather than the moment of completion. To make present perfect sentences we use have/has plus the past participle. The present perfect has three functions:
1. to describe events in the past at an unspecified time.
2. to describe recent past events.
3. and to describe past events which are continuing through the present.

We talk about experience using the present perfect as events that took place at unspecified times. We use 'ever' to indicate in the lifetime of the subject, and 'never' for negative statements. For example: Have you ever been to New York? No, I haven't. I've never been to New York. Note we use 'been' to describe a completed action, and 'gone' to describe an action that is still happening. Lucy has been to London. This means 'She went to London in the past.' Lucy has gone to London. This means 'She is in London now.'

We also use the present perfect to describe recent events, such as: I have eaten lunch, so I'm not hungry. We often use the present perfect to find out if someone has experienced something, and then talk about that event in the past tense. Have you watched any good movies recently? Yes, I have. I watched The Avengers last weekend.

And finally we use the present perfect to describe past events which are continuing through the present, such as: How long have you been studying English? I have been studying English for five years. Or I have been studying English since I was 15 years old. We use 'yet' to indicate if an expected event has happened. Have you done your homework yet? Yes, I have.