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B1Moving House

Set Up Your New Home: Present Continuous Practice

Phrasal Verb: set up |Grammar: Present Continuous

Objective

Students will learn how to use the phrasal verb 'set up' in the present continuous tense to describe arranging furniture and utilities when moving house.

Article

When you are moving house, you are often busy setting up your new home. At the moment, many people are setting up their furniture in different rooms. For example, someone might be setting up the sofa in the living room while another person is setting up the dining table. Also, utility companies are setting up the electricity and internet connections. This means the workers are connecting wires and testing the systems. While you are setting up your home, you are also unpacking boxes and deciding where to put your things. Setting up can take a few days because you want everything to be comfortable and ready to live in. It is exciting to see your new house becoming a real home while you are setting up all the important items.

Grammar Explanation

Meaning

'Set up' means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use, such as furniture or utilities.

Grammar Note

The present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening right now or around the current period of time. It is formed with 'be' + verb + -ing.

Usage Tips

  • Use 'set up' with objects like furniture, devices, or services.
  • Use the present continuous to talk about actions happening now or these days.
  • Remember to add '-ing' to the main verb and use the correct form of 'be' (am, is, are).

Examples

We are setting up the TV in the living room right now.

Arranging electronics during moving

The technicians are setting up the internet connection today.

Installing utilities

I am setting up my desk near the window for better light.

Arranging furniture

They are setting up the kitchen appliances this afternoon.

Preparing kitchen equipment

She is setting up the garden furniture for the summer.

Arranging outdoor items

Dialogue

Context: Two friends discussing the progress of setting up a new house.

A:
Are you setting up the living room today?
B:
Yes, I am moving the sofa and setting up the TV over there.
A:
Great! Are the electricians setting up the lights now?
B:
They are installing the lights and setting up the internet too.
A:
It sounds like you are setting up everything quickly!
B:
Yes, I want to finish setting up before the weekend.

Vocabulary

Furniture
Objects like chairs, tables, and sofas used in a room
Example: We are setting up new furniture in the living room.
Synonym: Furnishings
Appliance
A machine used in the home, such as a fridge or oven
Example: They are setting up the kitchen appliances now.
Synonym: Device
Utility
A service like electricity, water, or internet
Example: The workers are setting up the utilities today.
Synonym: Service
Technician
A person who repairs or installs machines or equipment
Example: The technician is setting up the internet connection.
Synonym: Specialist
Arrange
To put things in the correct place or order
Example: We are arranging the furniture in the living room.
Synonym: Organise
Unpack
To take things out of boxes after moving
Example: I am unpacking boxes in the new house.
Synonym: Empty
Connection
The way things are linked, such as internet or water
Example: The internet connection is being set up now.
Synonym: Link
Install
To put equipment in place so it can be used
Example: They are installing the new dishwasher.
Synonym: Fit
Comfortable
Feeling relaxed and at ease
Example: We want to make the new home comfortable.
Synonym: Cozy
Exciting
Causing happiness and enthusiasm
Example: Moving to a new house is very exciting.
Synonym: Thrilling

Tips

  • Use 'set up' when talking about both physical objects and services.
  • Remember to match 'set up' with the correct form of 'be' for present continuous (am, is, are).
  • Don’t confuse 'set up' (arrange) with 'put up' (hang or erect something).

Summary

In this lesson, you learned how to use the phrasal verb 'set up' in the present continuous tense to talk about arranging furniture and utilities when moving house. You practised forming sentences and understood how to describe actions happening now in this context.

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