Suzanne Vega is a singer-songwriter who was born in California in 1959. Her eclectic style has marked her career as a folk-inspired musician.
One of Vega’s most famous songs is Tom’s Diner. In this song, she sings about things she sees while sitting in a diner in New York.
Since Vega sings about actions in progress she uses the present continuous (also called present progressive) lots to explain what she sees!
The present continuous is formed with the verb to be + a present participle.
am/is/are + –ing
There are several reasons why we use the present continuous. We use the present continuous to talk about temporary actions that are happening in the present moment or around the present moment (that is, immediately before, during or after the present moment).
Why are you smiling? Did someone make you happy?
Tom is on his way to the party. He just told me that he is on the bus!
