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Affirmative
I am going
You are going
He, she, it is going
We are going
You are going
They are going
Negative
Interrogative
I am not going
Am I going?
You aren't going.
Are you going?
He, she, it isn't going Is he, she, it going?
We aren't going
Are we going?
You aren't going
Are you going?
They aren't going
Are they going?
Note: alternative negative contractions: I'm not going, you're not going, he's not going etc.
As with all tenses in English, the speaker's attitude is as important as the time of the action or
event. When someone uses the present continuous, they are thinking about something that is
unfinished or incomplete
The present continuous is used:
to describe an action that is going on at this moment: You are using the Internet. You are
studying English grammar.
to describe an action that is going on during this period of time or a trend: Are you still
working for the same company? More and more people are becoming vegetarian.
to describe an action or event in the future, which has already been planned or prepared:
We're going on holiday tomorrow. I'm meeting my boyfriend tonight. Are they visiting
you next winter?
to describe a temporary event or situation: He usually plays the drums, but he's playing
bass guitar tonight. The weather forecast was good, but it's raining at the moment.
BE CAREFUL! Some verbs are not usually used in the continuous form
to feel*
to hear
to see*
to smell
to taste
Opinion
to assume
to believe
to consider
to doubt
to feel (= to think)
to find (= to consider)
to suppose
to think*
Mental states
to forget
to imagine
to know
to mean
to notice
to recognise
to remember
to understand
Emotions / desires
to envy
to fear
to dislike
to hate
to hope
to like
to love
to mind
to prefer
to regret
to want
to wish
Measurement
to contain
to cost
to hold
to measure
to weigh
Others
to look (=resemble)
to seem
Exceptions
Perception verbs (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) are often used with can: : I can see... These verbs
may be used in the continuous form but with a different meaning
This coat feels nice and warm. (your perception of the coat's qualities)
John's feeling much better now (his health is improving)
1: First, we use it for things that are happening at the moment of speaking.
Julie is sleeping.
2: We can also use this tense for temporary situations, when we feel something won't
continue for a long time.
Compare this with the present simple, which is used for permanent situations that we feel will
continue for a long time.
3: We can use the present continuous for habits but they have to be temporary or new
habits (for normal habits that continue for a long time, we use the present simple).
4: Another present continuous use is for annoying habits, when we want to show that
something happens too often and we don't like it. In this case we usually use an adverb like
'always', 'forever' or 'constantly'.
5: The next use is for definite future arrangements (with a future time word). In this case we
have already made a plan and we are pretty sure that the event will happen in the future.
6: Finally we use this tense to talk about a situation which is slowly changing.
We can't use this tense (or any other continuous tense) with stative verbs.
present
future
the pages are turning the candle is burning the numbers are spinning
b) for action happening around now
The action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just before and just after now,
and it is not permanent or habitual.
John is looking for a new job.
past
present
future
future
The action is in the future.
We're eating at Joe's Cafe tonight. We've already booked the table..
They can play tennis with you tomorrow. They're not working.
In these examples, a firm plan or programme exists before speaking. The decision and plan
were made before speaking.
He is working in Dubai.
To describe an event planned in the future:
(full form)
I,
am
you, we, they
are,
she, he, it
is
(short form)
working.
I,
m
you, we, they
re
she, he, it
s
(full form)
I,
am not
you, we, they
are not
she, he, it
is not
(short form)
working.
I,
m not
you, we, they
re not or aren
she, he, it
Am
? + Are,
Is
(full form)
ts not or isnt
I
you, we, they
working?
she, he, it
I
Am
you, we, they not
Are
?
she, he, it
Is
(short form)
Arent
Isnt
working?
-ing form
move
When the verb ends in -e, we take off the -e and add -ing.
face
come
commit
prefer
When the verb ends in a vowel followed by a single consonant and if the rub
BUT:
last syllable is stressed, then the consonant is doubled.
moving
facing
coming
committing
preferring
rubbing
covering
cover
remember remembering
travel
travelling*
control controlling
Regular verbs
Irregular verbs
Spelling
B:
Im cooking now so itll be ready in about half an hour.
Shes pressing the button but nothing is happening.
Temporary states
We use the present continuous to talk about temporary states which are true around the moment
of speaking:
Her mothers living with her at the moment. Shes just come out of hospital.
Whos looking after the children while youre here?
Change
We use the present continuous to talk about a gradual change:
Theyre building a new stand at the football ground.
Maria, 37, is getting better and doctors are optimistic she will make a full recovery.
Recent evidence suggests that the economic situation is improving.
We use the present continuous to refer to the future when we talk about plans and arrangements
that have already been made:
Were moving to Cambridge in July.
Sarah isnt taking Rory to football training later. She hasnt got the car tonight.
Arent you playing tennis on Saturday?
See also:
Future: present continuous to talk about the future (Im working tomorrow)
Present Continuous
The present continuous is used to talk about present situations which we see as short-term or
temporary. We use the present simple to talk about present situations which we see as long-term
or permanent.
In these examples, the action is taking place at the time of speaking.
It's raining.
Who is Kate talking to on the phone?
In these examples, the action is true at the present time but we don't think it will be true in the
long term.
In these examples, the action is at a definite point in the future and it has already been arranged.
We are having a special dinner at a top restaurant for all the senior managers.
orm
am/is/are + present participle (verb + ing)
Meaning
1. Present continuous is used to talk about something that is happening at the time of
speaking. The action is not finished.
o He is speaking to John.
o
4. Present continuous is used to talk about repeated actions around the time of
speaking.
o
6. Present continuous is used with words such as ALWAYS to talk about things that
happen repeatedly (sometimes to say that something is irritating or annoying).
o
7. When we are talking about how someone looks or feels, present continuous or
present simple can be used.
o
Jenny is looking really good today? / Jenny looks really good today.
Additional points
1. Some verbs are not normally used with present continuous because these verbs are
not normally action verbs, for example: believe, belong, depend, hate, know, like,
love, mean, need, prefer, realise, suppose, want, understand.
o They know each other very well correct
o
Statements
-
Questions
Short answer
+
Short answer
-
I'm working.
Am I working?
Yes, I am.
He's working.
He isn't working.
Is he working?
Yes, he is.
No, he isn't.
She's working.
Is she working?
It's working.
It isn't working.
Is it working?
Yes, it is.
No, it isn't.
You're working.
We're working.
We aren't working.
Are we working?
Yes we are.
No, we aren't.
They're working.
For example:
Q) "What are you doing?" A) "I'm building a website."
We also use the present continuous tense to talk about things that are happening around now but
are temporary.
For example:
Q) "What are you doing these days?" A) "Unfortunately I'm working a lot."
It is also used to describe trends or situations that are happening but may be temporary.
For example:
"Nowadays more and more people are shopping on the Internet."
...and habitual actions (usually negative).
For example:
"He's always cleaning his car."
The present continuous tense can also be used to discuss future events:
Note:The present continuous is usually used with doing verbs (verbs of action) not with verbs of state.
The following verbs are not used in the continuous form in these contexts:Conditions: belong, cost, need, own, seem
Feelings: like, love, hate, want, wish
Beliefs: believe, feel, know, mean, remember, think, understand
Present Continuous Verb Tense - is used to for actions that are happening
Now - at the time of speaking
Planned Future Actions - actions that are planned for the future
1.5. trends
More and more people are using their computers to listen to music.
1.6. repeated actions which are irritating to the speaker (with always, constantly,
forever)
Andrew is always coming late.
2. Signal words
now
at the moment
Look!
Listen!
3. Form
to be (am, are, is) + Infinitiv + -ing
4. Examples
4.1. Affirmative sentences in the Present Progressive
Long forms
Contracted forms
I am playing football.
I'm playing football.
You are playing football. You're playing football.
He is playing football. He's playing football.
Contracted forms
I'm not playing football.
You're not playing football.
You are not playing football.
You aren't playing football.
He's not playing football.
He is not playing football.
He isn't playing football.
Sorry, she can't come to the phone right now; she is having a bath.
Look! Someone is trying to break into your car.
I'm wearing these old trousers to school this week, as we're doing a pottery course and
it's very messy work!
What are you doing? - My watch is broken and I'm trying to fix it.
Sorry, I can't stay after school today; I'm playing tennis with Jun-Sik.
I'm not going home at Christmas, so I can come to your party after all!
Usually the present simple is used for repeated actions. For example, He always gets up before 7
o'clock, but .. the present continuous is the correct choice when the speaker wants to express
annoyance at a repeated action. (Note how often the word "always" is used in such statements):
You are always interrupting me when I'm talking and I don't like it!
She's always tapping her pencil on the desk and it's getting on my nerves!
5. I'm living with my parents at the moment but soon I'll buy my own house.
Present Continuous is also used to express current trends:
Examples: 1. Fuel prices are rising constantly because of strong demand.
2. On-line shopping is growing rapidly nowdays.
We can use the Present Continuous when we talk about repeated actions which are
irritating to the speaker (always, constantly):
Examples: 1. He is always complaining from his colleagues.
2. My son is always getting into trouble in school.
Sometimes we use the Present Continuous to describe a planned action in the near
future:
Examples: 1. I'm leaving for Vienna tomorrow morning.
2. We are having lunch at 12.30 o'clock.
We use the present continuous tense in several different ways in English. These explanations
and many examples will help you master this tense and feel confident about when to use it.
Before we get started, please note that this is often also called the present progressive
tense. The words "continuous" and "progressive" tell us that the action is continuing or in
progress.
[Note: Click here to learn how to form the present continuous.]
You can call him at the office. He's working until 7 o'clock.
( In this example, Joe is not reading the spy novel at this moment. He started the book some time
ago and will continue reading it a little bit at a time over the next few weeks. He's at a caf and
the book is at his home on the table next to his bed).
Here are some more examples:
Action Happening right now
I recommend you also review the differences between the present simple and present continuous
tenses.
If you need to review how to form the present continuous tense please check this page. I go over
the positive and negative forms, questions, spelling and give lots of examples.
Return to MAIN grammar page.
3. temporary actions
His father is working in Rome this month.
Verbs that express states are normally not used with the Present Progressive. If they are used,
watch the difference in meaning.
5. trends
More and more people are using their computers to listen to music.
6. repeated actions which are irritating to the speaker (with always, constantly,
forever)
Andrew is always coming late. (I don't like this.)
Exercise
Actions taking place only for a limited period of time
The population
of China is rising very fast.
Uses
Present continuous is for actions happening right now. This
could mean at this every moment:
I am watching television.
Or, it could mean now in general.
She is working at the gas station
ntroduction
We use the present continuous tense to show we are in the middle of an activity that is in
progress at this moment. The activity started in the past and will go on in the future.
Example:
o
So when we use the present continuous tense we are talking about something that is still not yet
finished or complete at the time of speaking.
Forming the Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous tense of any verb is formed with the simple present tense of the verb
to be (=am, is, are) and the present participle of the main verb (verb + ing)
Examples:
o
o
Police are looking through a pile of papers and still haven't found what they want.
Example:
for an action that is still going on about this time but not necessary at the time of
speaking.
Example:
o
Jack is teaching at a secondary boys' school. (He is not actually teaching now. He may be
watching television or playing with his cat at the moment of speaking.)
to talk about an action that has been planned or arranged to take place at a particular time
in the immediate or distant future.
Example:
o
Example:
o
He is usually the hero of the film, but he is playing the role of a villain.
Example:
o
Example:
o
with 'always', 'very often', 'forever', 'constantly' to describe an action that happens many
times or frequently.
Example:
o
o
with time expressions such as now, at this moment, at present, in a minute, just now,
today, tonight, tomorrow, nowadays, this week, next week, these days, this year.
With present continuous tense questions, we use: am/are/is + subject + ...ing. E.g. Am I
angry? What are your cats doing in my garden? Is your dog barking at the postman?
We use the present continuous tense in the following ways:
Statement: I am shaving we place the verb to be (am/is/are) after the subject (I).
Negative: He is not sleeping we place not after the verb to be (am/is/are).
Question: Are they coming here? we place the verb to be (am/is/are) before the subject
(they).
Use 3
When we use this tense with adverbs "always", "continuously" or "constantly" for
complaining something.
She is always coming to class late.
I don't think Daniel can lose weight. He is always eating something.
Nobody likes Ann at school since she is always having arguments with other students
The present continuous tense is formed from the present tense of the verb be and the present
participle (-ing form) of a verb:
Use
1. We use the present continuous tense to talk about the present:
These days most people are using email instead of writing letters.
What sort of clothes are teenagers wearing nowadays? What sort of music are they listening
to?
When we are summarising the story from a book, film or play etc.:
Present Continuous
f t g+ p
FORM
[am/is/are + present participle]
Examples:
USE 1 Now
Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something is happening
now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening now.
Examples:
I am sitting.
I am not standing.
Is he sitting or standing?
In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so on.
Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer
action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.
Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)
Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not
happen in the near future.
Examples:
The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that
something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present,
but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be"
and "verb+ing."
Examples:
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever,
still, just, etc.
Examples:
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Add ing to most verbs. Ex. play > playing, cry > crying, bark > barking
For verbs that end in e, remove the e and add ing. Ex: slide > sliding, ride > riding
For verbs that end in ie, change the ie to y and add ing. Ex: die > dying, tie > tying
The present progressive tense is often overused by non-native speakers of English. It should only
be used in the following contexts:
To describe an incomplete action which is in progress at the moment of speaking; usually with
time expressions such as: now, at the moment, right now.
1. (During a phone call or in an e-mail) We are discussing the project at the moment.
To describe a plan or arrangement in the near future; usually with time expressions such as:
tonight, tomorrow, this week, this Monday.
1. Jims leaving for Brussels this evening.
To express actions that are repeated regularly; usually with a negative meaning and with the time
expressions: always or forever.
1. Her husband is always complaining about his health.
Note: A common mistake is using this form to describe what a company sells or produces. In
general, a company sells something on a regular basis, so you need to use the present simple
tense and not the present progressive.
Correct: That company is always selling some cheap gadget. (negative meaning)
The present progressive (continuous) is formed using am, is or are together with the ing (present
participle) form of the verb.
Subject
I
He / She / It
You / We / They
Rest of Sentence
my final exam tomorrow
the floor at the moment
me a headache
A form of be + Verbing
am not working
isnt sleeping
arent running
Rest of Sentence
on that project now
at the moment
in the marathon tomorrow
Note: In general, use these contractions in the negative: isnt, arent. Am not cannot be shortened,
but you can say Im not. Save the long forms for when you want to create emphasis.
1. Im not listening to you.
2. Roger isnt eating with us tonight.
3. The Smiths arent going to France this year. Theyre going to Thailand.
4. He is not coming with me dressed like that!
Rest of Sentence
myself clear
right now
steaks for dinner tomorrow
Theyre formed by using a positive sentence in the present progressive and adding isnt or arent
and a pronoun (I, you, we, they, he, she, it) and a question mark. For sentences in the first person
(I), use the tag arent I?
1. Terry is driving to the post office, isnt she?
2. All the kids in the class are going on the field trip, arent they?
3. Im buying tickets for everyone, arent I?
You may also add a positive tag when youre using a negative sentence.
1. Latikas not working at IBM anymore, is she?
2. Tomer and Guy arent going on the trek to South America, are they?
As a rule: When the sentence is positive, the tag is negative.
When the sentence is negative, the tag is positive.
3. Are/planning
4. isnt he
5. are/running
6. Is/flying
7. are they
8. am meeting
9. are/investing
10. isnt lying/is telling
Contractions
1. Im going to the store in about ten minutes.
2. Its raining cats and dogs.
3. Were catching the 9:00 flight.
Negatives
1. Im not listening to you.
2. Roger isnt eating with us tonight.
3. The Smiths arent going to France this year. Theyre going to Thailand.
4. He is not coming with me dressed like that!
Yes/No Questions
1. Am I talking too much?
2. Is that your dog barking?
3. Are you participating in the competition next week?
Wh-Questions
Tag Questions
1. Terry is driving to the post office, isnt she?
2. All the kids in the class are going on the field trip, arent they?
3. Im buying tickets for everyone, arent I?
4. Latikas not working at IBM anymore, is she?
5. Tomer and Guy arent going on the trek to South America, are they?
2.
Examples:
He is studying.
They are arguing.
It is raining.
You are reading these examples.
I am using my computer to make these examples.
________________________________________________
Special Notes:
1.