Correct Usage of Present Progressive Tense: ‘Are You Giving’ vs. ‘Do You Giving’

Grammar Upkeep: Ensure Accuracy in Your Verbal and Written Communication

When forming questions in English, especially when using the present progressive tense, it's essential to grasp the correct usage. Many might make the mistake of using 'do you giving,' which is not grammatically correct. By following the proper structure, you can effectively communicate your thoughts and intentions.

Understanding the Present Progressive Tense

The present progressive tense is used to describe actions that are happening now or in the near future. It is formed with the auxiliary verb 'be' (am, is, are) plus the present participle (verb -ing).

Question Formation with Present Progressive

When forming a question with the present progressive tense, you should use 'are' as the auxiliary verb, followed by the subject and the main verb in its -ing form. For example:

Correct: Are you giving a 100 as a valuable financial gift to your elderly mother after being discharged from the hospital tonight?
Incorrect: Do you giving a 100 as a valuable financial gift to your elderly mother after being discharged from the hospital tonight?

In the statement form, the correct sentence would be: You are giving a 100 as a valuable financial gift to your elderly mother after being discharged from the hospital tonight. To form the question, you simply move the auxiliary verb 'are' to the beginning of the sentence.

Present Progressive Tense in Action

Let's explore a few scenarios where we would use the present progressive tense in questions:

Scenario 1:

Are you giving a 100 as a valuable financial gift to your elderly mother after being discharged from the hospital tonight? Do you give a valuable gift to your elderly mother on the occasion of Mother's Day in a gesture of loyalty to her extensive compassionate services to you?

Scenario 2: Do you do giving – This is a rather unusual way of saying 'are you giving.'

Why 'Are You Giving' is Correct and 'Do You Giving' is Incorrect

While it may seem like using 'do' is a logical choice for forming a question, it is actually incorrect in this case because English does not typically form questions by placing the main verb before the subject. Instead, auxiliary verbs such as 'am,' 'is,' or 'are' need to be used to form the interrogative structure.

The reason for this is that in English sentences, the auxiliary verbs take on the role of asking questions or negating the main verb. Auxiliary verbs already exist in some verb tenses (like the present progressive), and in such cases, they are moved to the beginning of the sentence. For instance:

You are giving each child a book. Are you giving each child a book I will see you tomorrow. Will I see you tomorrow They have finished painting the living room. Have they finished painting the living room You do not like swimming. Do you not like swimming (or more colloquially: Don’t you like swimming)

Other statements with only a simple verb, such as 'You went home at noon,' require a form of 'to do' to ask the question. For example:

You went home at noon. Did you go home at noon? He sees his psychologist on Wednesdays. Does he see his psychologist on Wednesdays? Hannibal crossed the Alps with his elephants. Did Hannibal cross the Alps with his elephants? They brought home a puppy. Did they bring home a puppy?

For questions that don’t have a yes-or-no answer, a question word such as 'why,' 'what,' or 'where' is used, followed by 'do' or another auxiliary word:

Why do you want to read that book? Where are we going to eat tonight? What is the dog doing in the yard?

Conclusion: Understanding Grammar Rules for Effective Communication

By understanding and correctly applying the rules of present progressive tense and question formation, you can ensure that your communication is clear, precise, and grammatically correct. Whether in writing or speaking, using the right form of the verb and auxiliary verbs will help you convey your message effectively.

Key Takeaways:
1. The correct question form with the present progressive tense is 'are you giving,' not 'do you giving.'
2. Auxiliary verbs are used to form questions and negate main verbs.
3. Remember to place the auxiliary verb at the beginning of the sentence when forming questions.
4. Use 'do' or another auxiliary word in sentences with simple verbs to ask questions.