第二十三天

[nnozomi]

在 to show an action in progress (be doing something)
https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_actions_in_progress_with_%22zai%22

Since we've been discussing 在 in its other forms anyway! Constructive confusion.

Guardian:
爆米花呀。我还以为你们在研究长生晷呢。(It's popcorn! I thought you guys were researching the Longevity Dial.)
你到底有没有在听我说话？(Are you listening to me or not?)
但愿你知道你自己在做什么。(I hope you [want you to] know what it is you're doing.) Edited to correct my error, thank you presumenothing!

My practice:
在公园他们在打棒球。
他在喝今天第三杯咖啡。
如果你不在学习，帮我一个忙。

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Comments

[presumenothing]

我在等家人准备好出去吃早餐。麦当劳我来咯～～～

Also I'd probably use 读书 instead of 学习 in that last one? 学习 feels more long-term pursuit of studies, vs a more immediate/in-the-moment action (读书，复习，做功课 etc) which would fit better here.

[nnozomi]

Also I'd probably use 读书 instead of 学习 in that last one?
oh my god, I have made this exact correction in English to the kids I teach, so many times, viz "studying" versus "learning." It hadn't clicked in Chinese. Thank you!

[presumenothing]

XD that'll definitely make it easier to remember then! One of those annoying not-apparent-from-the-dictionary things…