TENSES: The Present Continuous

We use the Present Continuous (Progressive) tense when talking about actions that are happening at the moment (present or temporary activity) or which will be done in the future (future arrangement).
Use
Present or temporary activities
Future (personal) arrangements
I'm going to go to my grandma.I'm going abroad this summer (in both sentences the speaker is speaking about plans)
Examples Use
· He is getting married this month (Use 2)
· They are swimming in the sea (Use 1)
· I'm having my first driving lesson this week (Use 2)
· I'm drinking hot coffee now (Use 1)

Examples Use
· Is she eating my cake now? (Use 1)
· Are they having the party on Friday or Saturday? (Use 2)
· Are you meeting David today? (Use 2)
· Is Mary having breakfast now? (Use 1)
Examples Use
· He is not joking (Use 1)
· We aren't waiting for my uncle (Use 1)
· He is not going to school tomorrow (Use 2)

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WAYS OF EXPRESSING CERTAINTY

DEGREES OF CERTAINTY

Expressing Certainty

• I'm certain that he is a doctor. He always carries a stethoscope with him.
• She must be excellent at mathematics. She always gets the first grades.
• I'm absolutely sure he is a thief. I saw him pick the old man’s pocket.
• It's certain that she is a good mother. She cares very much of children.
• He will undoubtedly succeed in the exam. He is a real genius.

Expressing Probability

• It is probable that my grandfather goes to Mecca next year.
• I guess / I think that he will accept the job. He is very enthusiastic about it.
• It will probably snow in the mountains tonight. Look at those thick clouds in the sky
• He is likely to immigrate to Canada. He is constantly talking about a visa.
• It's likely that he will get a very good mark in the test. He spent the whole week preparing for it.

Expressing Possibility

• My friend may / might lend me his car.
• Maybe / perhaps they will visit us tonight.
• She will possibly go to work by bus. Her car has broken down.
• It's possible that he answers all the test questions because they are not very difficult.

Expressing Improbability

• I doubt that he will succeed in the exam. He spends most of his time playing video games.
• She is unlikely to come back home early. The meeting will finish very late.
• I don't think they can go there on foot.
• It's unlikely that scientists will find a cure for AIDS very soon.
• It’s improbable that she will go to work. She is not feeling well.
• It won’t probably rain this afternoon. There are no clouds in the sky.

Expressing Impossibility

• He can't possibly be the criminal. We were both at home when the man was killed.
• I'm sure he won’t succeed in the exam. He always gets very bad marks in all subjects.
• She definitely / certainly doesn't know a word of German. When she met those German tourists, she spoke to them in English.

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