Present Continuous
Uses
- Actions that are happening right now: The BMX rider is jumping.
- Actions that are happening during the present block of time or recently: I am going to the gym quite often (recently). | She is studying really hard for her exam this month.
- Actions that are ongoing or incomplete: I am learning Portuguese. | “Hey, John! I’m reading your book… I haven’t finished yet though”
Affirmative Structure
The general structure is: SUBJECT + VERB TO BE + VERB(ING) + OBJECT
The verb “to be” is conjugated as usual and may, or not, be contracted.
We add ING to the end of the main verb.
E.g.: The whale plays > The whale is playing.
The structure of the present continuous is the same for all persons (except for the conjugation of the verb “to be”).
IMPORTANT! : Remember that ING on the end of a verb does not always indicate a continuous form. the “ING form” can also be used for adjectives and the gerund (noun) form of verbs.
E.g.: This is exciting / I like reading.
Negative Structure
To negate the present continuous, we negate the verb “to be”.
E.g.: I am eating / I’m eating > I am not eating / I’m not eating | They are sailing / They’re sailing > They are not sailing / They’re not sailing / They aren’t sailing
Question Structure
To ask questions in present continuous, we invert the subject and auxiliary verb (to be).
E.g.: You are sleeping > Are you sleeping? | She is singing > Is she singing?
Examples
Remember that “Context is King”. Click the links to see the examples in context.
Related Topics
- Present Simple
- Present Continuous for Future
- Present Simple vs. Present Continuous
- Present Continuous for Future vs. Going To Future
Exercises
- https://elt.oup.com/student/solutions/elementary/grammar/grammar_04_012e?cc=global&selLanguage=en
- https://agendaweb.org/verbs/present_continuous-exercises.html
- https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/present-continuous-exercise-1.html
- https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/tenses/present_progressive_mix.htm
- https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verb-tenses_present-continuous_quiz.htm
References
- https://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentcontinuous.html
- https://www.grammarly.com/blog/present-continuous/
- https://examples.yourdictionary.com/present-continuous-tense-examples.html
- https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/present-continuous.html
- https://englishstudypage.com/grammar/present-continuous-tense/