Using expressions of place with progressive verbs

Using expressions of place with progressive verbs

An expression of place can sometimes come between the auxiliary be and the -ing verb in a progressive tense

Example :

a. - What is Kay doing ?

  - She’s studying in her room

b. - where’s Kay ?

  - She’s in her room studying.

c. - what was Jack doing when you arrived ?

  - He was reading a book in bed

d. - Where was Jack when you arrived ?

  - he was in bed reading a book

Note :

In (a) : the focus of both the question and the answer is on Kay’s activity in progress, i.e., on what she is doing

In (b) : The focus of both the wuestion and the answer is on Kay’s location, i.e., on where Kay is

Exercise :

1. listen to music / in her room

  A : where’s Sally ?

  B : She’s ……………………………

2. Listen to music / in the living room

  A : what’s Surasuk doing ?

  B : He’s ………………………………

3. watch TV / in his bedroom

  A : Where was Jack when you got home ?

  B : He was …………………

4. Watch TV / in his bedroom

  A : What was Jack doing when you got home ?

  B : He was ……………………….

5. take a nap / on the couch in the living room.

  A : What’s Roy doing ?

  B : He’s …………………………..

6. Take a nap / on the couch in the living room

  A : Where’s Roy doing ?

  B : He’s ………………………..

7. Attend a confrence / in Singapore

  A : Where’s Ms. Chang this week ?

  B : She’s ……………………..

Part II : Answer the questions , using the present progressive or the past progressive. Use the expression of place in parentheses and add your own words.

1. A : Where’s Joan ? ( at the library )

   B : …………………….

2. A : Is Mark here ? ( upstairs )

   B : Yes, ……………………….

3. A : Have you seen Professor Marx ? ( in her office )

   B : Yes , ………………….

4. A : Where’s your mother, Jimmy ? ( in the kitchen )

  B : ………………………

5. A : Ahmed was absnt yesterday. Where was he ? ( at home )

   B : ………………………….

6. A : Was Mr. Rivera out of town last week ? ( in New York )

   B : Yes , ………………..

Part III Add expressions of place between be and the -ing verb

1. My sister is visiting some relatives.

   ………………………..

2. I’m back to work now , but a month ago I was lting in the sun.

   …………………………

3. we are studying English grammar.

   …………………………

4. No one could see the thief because he was hiding from the police

   ………………………..

5. When I saw Diana , she was trying to find out what she was supposed to do.

   …………………………

Exercise 2 : Error Analysis. Preent and Past Verbs

Directions : Correct the errors

1. Breakfast is an important meal. I’m always eating breakfast

2. During I was working in my office yesterday , my cousin stops by to visit me

3. Portugal lays to west of Spain

4. Yuki staied home because she catched a bad cold.

5. My brother is looking like our father , but I’m resembling my mother

6. As a verb, “ sink “ is meaning “ move downward “ what it means as a noun ?

7. Sang-Joon, are you listen to me ? I am talk to you!

8. I rewinded the rented video before I return it to the store yesterday

9. Abdallah is want a snack. He’s being hungry

10. Anna rose her eyebrows in surprise

11. Yesterday I was working at my computer when Shelley was coming to the door of my office. I wasn’t knowing she was there. I was concentrate hard on my work . When she suddenly speak , I am jump. She startle me.

12. While I wass surfing the net yesterday ,  I was finding a really interesting web site.