The present continuous tense

1. Concept of Present Continuous Tense

The Present Continuous Tense is used to describe events happening at the moment of speaking or around the time of speaking, and the action is still ongoing (continues to happen).

Examples of Present Continuous Tense

2. Structure of Present Continuous Tense

2.1. Affirmative Sentences

S + am/is/are + V-ing

✎ NOTE:

– S = I + am

– S = He/She/It + is

– S = We/You/They + are

The verb in a Present Continuous sentence consists of two components: the verb “to be” and “V-ing”. The form of “to be” changes depending on the subject.

Examples:

a) They are watching TV now.

b) She is cooking with her mother.

c) We are studying English.

2.2. Negative Sentences

S + am/is/are + not + V-ing

✎ NOTE:

– am not: no contraction

– is not = isn’t

– are not = aren’t

===> For negative sentences in the Present Continuous, simply add “not” after the verb “to be” and follow with the verb ending in “–ing”.

Examples:

a) I am not listening to music at the moment.

b) My sister isn’t working now.

c) They aren’t watching the TV at present.

2.3. Questions

Am/Is/Are + S + V-ing ?

Answers:

– Yes, I am. – Yes, he/she/it + is. – Yes, we/you/they + are.

– No, I + am not. – No, he/she/it + isn’t. – No, we/you/they + aren’t.

===> For questions, simply place the verb “to be” before the subject.

Examples:

a) Are you doing your homework?

– Yes, I am./ No, I am not.

b) Is he going out with you?

– Yes, he is./ No, he isn’t.

c) Are they studying English?

– Yes, they are./ No, they aren’t.

3. Uses of Present Continuous Tense

➣ Describes an action happening right at the moment of speaking

Examples:

• They are watching TV now.
• Tim is riding his bike to school at the moment.

They are watching TV now

➣ Describes an event or action generally happening but not necessarily at the exact moment of speaking

Examples:

• I am finding a job. => Not necessarily that I am looking for a job at the moment of speaking, but I am in the process of looking for a job (after graduating or after leaving my previous company.)
• He is reading "Gone with the Wind". => This means he started reading the book a few days ago but hasn’t finished yet, though he’s not reading it at the exact moment of speaking.

He is reading "Gone with the Wind"

➣ Describes an event planned for the future

Examples:

• I bought the ticket yesterday. I am flying to New York tomorrow.
• What are you doing next week?

I bought the ticket yesterday. I am flying to New York tomorrow.

➣ Describes repetitive actions that cause annoyance or frustration to the speaker, often used with “always”

Examples:

• He is always coming late.
• Why are you always putting your dirty clothes on your bed?
• They are always arguing.

They are always arguing

➣ Describes something that is changing or developing

• The children are growing quickly.
• The climate is changing rapidly.
• Your English is improving.

The children are growing quickly

➣ Describes something new, in contrast to a previous state

• 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?

These days most people are using email instead of writing letters

4. Signs to Recognize Present Continuous Tense

➣ Presence of time adverbs

– Now: now – Right now: right now – At the moment: at the moment – At present: at present – At + specific time (at 10 o’clock)

Examples:

• I am not listening to radio at the moment.
• It is storming now.

➣ Presence of verbs

– Look! – Listen! – Keep silent!

Examples:

• Now my sister is going shopping with my father.
• Look! The bus is coming.
• Listen! Someone is laughing.