PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE

WHAT IS PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE?

The present continuous tense (also called the present progressive tense) is used for
something in progress at the moment of speaking; it describes something that is
happening in the present moment and also for expressing future arrangements. It
can only be used with action verbs.
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---- It used to express continuing / ongoing action.
I am reading a book right now.

past now future

The action is happening

now.

---- It is used to refer to a future arrangement.

We are leaving tomorrow.

past now future

A firm plan exists now. The action is in the

future.

You can use the present continuous for plans with these words:
 tonight, tomorrow, this weekend
 next week/month/year
 this summer/fall/winter/spring
 on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/etc.
 next Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/etc
HOW TO FORM

Am/is/are Subject Am/is/are Ving Rest of sentence

- I am working now.
- You / We / They are working now.
- He / she / it is working now.
- I am working now.
- You / We / They are working now.
- He / she / it is working now.
am I - working now?
are You / We / They - working now?
is He / she / it - working now?

COMMON MISTAKES FORMING THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

TENSE
Action verbs can be used in simple and continuous forms. State verbs are not
usually used in continuous forms.
√ I am reading right now.
× I am owning two cars.

REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDED READING

 Azar, B. S. (1996). Basic English Grammar. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall
Regents.
 Azar, B. S. (2003). Fundamentals of English Grammar: Chart book: a
Reference Grammar. White Plains, NY: Longman.
 Azar, B. S., & Hagen, S. A. (2009). Understanding and using English
grammar: Workbook. White Plains, N.Y.: Pearson Longman.
 Ansell, M. (2000). Free English Grammar Second Edition.
 Barduhn, S., & Hall, D. (2016). English for Everyone–English Grammar
Guide. New York: DK Publishing.
 Murphy, R., Smalzer, W. R., & Nguyễn, T. T. (2000). Grammar in Use:
Intermediate. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
 Murphy, R., & Čhakramāt, S. (2002). Essential grammar in use (Vol. 20010).
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.