Present Continuous

The Present Continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking or are in progress.

⏰ When do we use Present Continuous Tense?

We use the Present Continuous to:

Talk about actions happening at this exact moment:

I am speaking English now.

She is watching TV.

They are playing outside.

Describe temporary actions (things happening around now, but not necessarily at this exact second):

He is studying a lot for his exams this week. (He’s not studying right now as we speak, but generally this week.)

We are living in a small apartment for a few months. (This is a temporary situation.)

📌 Structure

The Present Continuous always uses two parts: a form of the verb “to be” and the main verb with “-ing”.

Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are + base verb + -ing

Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + base verb + -ing

Question: Am/Is/Are + subject + base verb + -ing?

📝 Notes

Remember the correct form of “to be” for each subject:

I am

You/We/They are

He/She/It is

Add -ing to the end of the main verb.

walk ➡ walking

read ➡ reading

eat ➡ eating

Sometimes, we need to change the spelling slightly:

  • If a verb ends in -e, remove the e before adding ing: make ➡ making
  • If a short verb ends in consonant + vowel + consonant, double the last consonant before adding ing: run ➡ running

Examples: I am talking, She is listening, They are doing.

🆚 Present Simple VS Present Continuous

The main difference is ALWAYS vs. NOW.

  • Present Simple = Routines & Facts (Always) Use the Present Simple for habits, routines, facts, and things that are generally or always true.
    • Example: I drink coffee every morning. ☕
    • Time Words: always, usually, every day, often, sometimes, never
  • Present Continuous = Actions in Progress (Now) Use the Present Continuous for actions happening right now or for temporary situations happening around the present time.
    • Example: I’m drinking coffee right now. ☕
    • Time Words: now, at the moment, today, this week, this month

Key Comparison:

She’s working on a new project this week. (A temporary action).

She works as a teacher. (Her permanent job – a fact).

💬 Examples

✅ Positive Examples

  • I am learning English.
  • He is cooking dinner right now.
  • They are listening to music.
  • The baby is sleeping peacefully.
  • We are planning a trip.

❌ Negative Examples

  • She is not (isn’t) working today.
  • We are not (aren’t) watching TV.
  • He is not (isn’t) feeling well.
  • They are not (aren’t) coming to the party.
  • I am not (I’m not) joking.

❓ Question Examples

  • Are you studying?
  • Is he playing football?
  • What are they doing?
  • Is it raining outside?
  • Are we leaving soon?
Exercise 1

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Present Continuous for Future?

We use the Present Continuous to talk about fixed arrangements in the near future. These are plans that you have already organized, often with other people. Think of them as appointments in your calendar. 🗓️

To talk about definite personal plans and arrangements:

I’m meeting some friends after work.

We’re having a party next Saturday. Would you like to come?

To talk about confirmed appointments and bookings:

She’s flying to Bogotá tomorrow morning.

He’s seeing his dentist on Friday at 3 PM.

Ready to Talk About What’s Happening Right Now in English?

Using the Present Continuous correctly is a fantastic step to describing ongoing actions and current situations in English. It’s how you talk about what you’re “doing now”!

Do you want to practice forming these sentences and use them naturally in real conversations? My online English classes offer fun, interactive ways to master the Present Continuous and all other essential grammar points. You’ll get plenty of chances to speak and build your confidence.

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