ARE YOU PICKING UP THE GROCERIES NOW?

 The sentence "Are you picking up the groceries now?" is a present continuous question. It is used to ask if someone is doing something at this moment. The phrasal verb "pick up" here means to collect or buy something, often quickly.

This structure is very common in everyday English to:

• Ask about someone's current activity

• Talk about errands like shopping or picking someone/something up

• Use time expressions like now, right now, at the moment

---

✅ Examples:

• Are you picking up the groceries now?

• Yes, I’m at the store.

• No, I’m going later.

• She’s picking up the vegetables right now.

• They’re not picking anything up today.

---

📚 GRAMMAR

🔹 Present Continuous – Questions

Structure:
Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing + complement?

Examples:

• Are you picking up the groceries now?

• Is she buying vegetables?

• Are they shopping for dinner?

---

🔹 Short Answers:

• Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.

• Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t.

• Yes, we are. / No, we aren’t.

---

🔹 Other Related Structures:

• Present simple: I pick up groceries every Monday.

• Past simple: I picked up the groceries yesterday.

• Future (will): I will pick them up later.

• Future (going to): I’m going to buy food after work.

• Modals: You should pick up the milk. / You mustn’t forget the bread.

• Prepositions: at the store, on the way, with a list

---

🧾 VOCABULARY (10 words)

Word	Definition
Groceries	Food and items bought from the store
Pick up	To collect or buy something quickly
Now	At this moment
List	A written note of things to buy
Supermarket	A large food store
Busy	Having a lot to do
Cart	A basket on wheels used for shopping
Check out	To pay for the items at the store
Bag	A container to carry groceries
Cashier	The person who receives payment in a store

---

💬 USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

• I’m picking up groceries now.

• Are you at the store?

• Don’t forget the milk and eggs.

• We need bread and cheese.

• I’m on my way to the supermarket.

• Can you pick up some fruit?

• You should make a list.

• Must I go now?

• The store is very busy today.

• I’ll pick up dinner later.

---

✏️ SENTENCES

🔹 Positive:

• I’m picking up the groceries right now.

• She is buying vegetables at the store.

• They are getting dinner supplies.

🔹 Negative:

• I’m not picking up groceries now.

• He isn’t at the store yet.

• We aren’t shopping today.

🔹 Questions:

• Are you picking up the groceries now?

• Is she shopping for food?

• Are they buying drinks too?

🔹 Answers:

• Yes, I am. I’m at the market.

• No, I’m not. I’ll go later.

• Yes, she is. She’s almost done.

---

🗣️ CONVERSATION

Lucas: Are you picking up the groceries now?

Nina: Yes, I’m at the store right now.

Lucas: Great! Can you get some bananas and milk?

Nina: Sure. Do we need anything else?

Lucas: Maybe some bread and cheese too.

Nina: Okay, I’m adding them to my list.

Lucas: Thanks! I’ll help you carry the bags when you get home.

Nina: Perfect. See you soon!

---

📖 READING

Title: Shopping in the Afternoon

It’s 4:00 p.m. and Julia is at the supermarket. She usually shops on Saturdays, but today she finished work early. Her friend calls and asks, “Are you picking up the groceries now?”

“Yes,” she says, “I’m almost done.” She has milk, eggs, fruits, and some snacks in her cart. She forgot the rice, so she runs back to get it. Then she goes to the cashier to pay.

After shopping, she walks home and cooks dinner with her roommate.

---

❓ Comprehension Questions:

1. What time is Julia shopping?
   At 4:00 p.m.

2. Does she usually shop on Saturdays?
   Yes, she does.

3. Why is she shopping today?
   Because she finished work early.

4. What did she forget?
   She forgot the rice.

5. What does she do after shopping?
   She cooks dinner with her roommate.