LoginPresent Continuous
This comprehensive lesson dives into the Present Continuous Tense in English, featuring detailed examples and a quiz to test your knowledge.
What Is Present Continuous Tense?
The present continuous (also known as the present progressive) is a grammatical tense used in modern English to indicate that an action is currently happening.
Present Continuous: Structure
The present continuous is formed by combining the present simple of the verb 'to be' with the present participle of the main verb (verb + -ing).
Present Continuous: Negation
To form negative sentences in the present continuous, we place 'not' after the auxiliary verb 'to be'. Let's take a look at some examples:
He is reading. → He is
Here, you can see the process of negation by adding 'not.' You can also see how contraction is done in negative form.
They are sleeping. → They are
Tip!
With the exception of 'am not,' you can use the contracted form of the other conjugated forms of 'be' (is, are) in the negative form.
They are
Present Continuous: Questions
To form a 'yes/no question' in the present continuous tense, put the auxiliary 'am,' 'is,' or 'are' before the subject, followed by the present participle form of the main verb. For example:
He
Here, you can see how to change an affirmative sentence into a question.
We are meeting at six. →
To form 'wh-questions,' place the interrogative word at the beginning of the sentence and then form the question using the appropriate form of 'be' followed by the subject and the main verb. For example:
He
We
Using Present Continuous to Talk about Ongoing Events
Present Continuous: Uses
The present continuous tense is used to talk about:
- Ongoing Actions
- An Ongoing Process
- Temporary States
- Actions Planned for the Future
- Repeated Actions
- Story-telling and Narration
Ongoing Actions
We can use the present continuous tense to talk about an action happening right now. It means that the action is in progress at the moment and we are talking about it at the same time. Typically, verbs that refer to activities with a specific endpoint are used in the progressive aspect to talk about ongoing actions; for example, 'run', 'swim', 'dance', 'talk', 'read,' etc. Here are some examples:
You
In this example, we are referring to an action being done exactly at this moment.
She is
In sport commentaries when the action is happening at the moment and is in progress the present continuous tense is commonly used. However, it is usually followed by a present simple tense or follows a present simple tense. Look at the examples:
He
Here, we are talking about an action that is happening right now and at the moment of speaking and it probably will not last longer than the sentence itself.
She
Iterative Actions
Some verbs can be used in the present progressive tense to express an ongoing action, but they express a repetitive action rather than a continuous activity. For examples:
He
This sentence expresses repeated knocks on the door.
They
An Ongoing Process
We can use the present continuous tense to talk about a process that is ongoing, although there might be a gap in its continuity, or it might be extended over a longer period of time. This means that the action started some time ago, is still ongoing, and is expected to continue for some time. Verbs that denote activities or developments that extend over time are typically used in the progressive aspect to express this meaning; for example, 'build', 'hire,' 'learn,' 'grow,' etc. Check out the examples:
I
The climate
Your English
We also use the present continuous tense to describe a specific tendency toward a certain way of acting or behaving. Look at the examples below:
These days most people
Temporary States
We use the present continuous tense to talk about a state that we perceive as temporary. A temporary state does not remain the same in the long term. It means that it will change, but the exact timing of the change is uncertain. Stative verbs typically cannot be made progressive, but some of them become progressive to show these temporary states; for example, 'live,' 'look' (as a linking verb), 'love,' 'suffer,' 'stand,' etc. Here are some examples:
I
Here, we are referring to an ongoing state that is happening but not necessarily at the exact moment of speaking.
Ellen cannot come to the phone since she
As you can see, we are referring to a state that is true at the moment the moment but this action will not last forever.
I
Warning!
Keep in mind that not all stative verbs can be made progressive to show temporary states. Some stative verbs are only used in simple tenses and can never be used in progressive tenses; for example, 'know', 'taste,' 'want,' and 'cost.'
This pizza is tasting wonderful.'
Actions Planned for the Future
We can use the present continuous tense to talk about an action or event in the future, which has already been planned. Whenever there is a fixed plan, or the decision has been made in advance, you can use the present continuous tense. For example:
What
Here, we are asking someone about their firm plans for the future.
I
We can use the main verb to have' in the continuous form to refer to a special occasion planned for the near future. Check out the example:
They
Frequent Actions
We can use the present continuous tense with adverbs of frequency such as 'always', 'all the time' and 'constantly' to emphasize a continuing series of repeated actions that happen regularly. This usage usually expresses annoyance at the repetition of the action. For example:
They
Here, we are referring to an action that keeps happening all the time.
You
This usage of present continuous coincides with the use of present simple to refer to regular actions or habits. For example:
They always
Story-telling and Narration
We can use the present continuous to narrate past events when we are telling a story. Telling a story involves summarizing or recounting events. For example:
The other day I
Remember, this sentence conveys a 'past tense.'
We can use the present continuous to talk about the past when summarizing a book, film, or play. There are different ways of summarizing a story, one of the common ways is to use the present continuous tense. For example:
One day when Alice
Review
Present continuous tense is used when an action is in progress. Basically, it talks about actions that are happening now and probably will still happen in the future.
| Structure | subject + to be + gerund + complement or object. |
|---|---|
| Positive |
She |
| Negative |
She |
| Yes/no question |
|
| Wh-question |
|
Present continuous is used to talk about:
- ongoing actions
- temporary states
- future plans or arrangements
- processes and developments
- frequent actions
- story-telling and narration
Quiz:
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