Present Continuous

FORM

[am/is/are + present participle]

Examples:

· You are watching TV.

· Are you watching TV?

· You are not watching TV.

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:

· You are learning English now.

· You are not swimming now.

· Are you sleeping?

· I am sitting.

· I am not standing.

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

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.)

· I am studying to become a doctor.

· I am not studying to become a dentist.

· I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.

· I am not reading any books right now.

USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.

Examples:

· I am meeting some friends after work.

· I am not going to the party tonight.

· Is he visiting his parents next weekend?

· Isn't he coming with us tonight?

USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

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:

· She is always coming to class late.

· He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.

· I don't like them because they are always complaining.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Present.

Examples:

· She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct

· She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

· You are still watching TV.

· Are you still watching TV?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

· Right now, Tom is writing the letter. Active

· Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. Passive

Present continuous is normally called in British English

Present progressive is normally called in American English

FORM

[am/is/are + present participle]

Examples:

· You are watching TV.

· Are you watching TV?

· You are not watching TV.

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:

· You are learning English now.

· You are not swimming now.

· Are you sleeping?

· I am sitting.

· I am not standing.

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

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.)

· I am studying to become a doctor.

· I am not studying to become a dentist.

· I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.

· I am not reading any books right now.

USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.

Examples:

· I am meeting some friends after work.

· I am not going to the party tonight.

· Is he visiting his parents next weekend?

· Isn't he coming with us tonight?

USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

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:

· She is always coming to class late.

· He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.

· I don't like them because they are always complaining.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Present.

Examples:

· She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct

· She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

· You are still watching TV.

· Are you still watching TV?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

· Right now, Tom is writing the letter. Active

· Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. Passive

Present continuous is normally called in British English

Present progressive is normally called in American English

An overview of the FIVE most important tenses in the English language

	Present Simple (I go)	Past Simple (I went)	Future Simple (I will go)	Present Perfect (I have gone)	Present Continuous (I am going)
When do I use this tense?	Used for present facts and repeated actions.	Used for completed actions in the past.	Used for future actions, even if they are only a few seconds in the future.	Used for actions which started in the past and are still true now.	Used for temporary actions going on now.
Words that signal use of the tense:	every (day, week, month, year, etc.), always, usually, often, sometimes, etc.	Yesterday, last (week, month, year, etc.), when I was a child, this morning (if it is no longer morning), etc.	Tomorrow, next (week, month, year, etc.), in the future, when I retire, when I get home, etc.	Since, for, ever (with questions), up to now, how long (with questions), etc.	Now, at the moment, today, this week, presently, etc.
How do I make the tense?	The first form of the verb is used to make the Present Simple. For questions and negatives the helping verb (do / does) is used with the first form of the verb. An important rule with the Present Simple is: Don’t forget the "s" with he, she & it!	The second form of the verb is used for the Past Simple. However, when making questions and negatives in the Past Simple, we use the helping verb "did" and leave the main verb in its infinitive form (1st form).	The Future Simple is formed with the helping verb will and the first form of the verb.	The Present Perfect is formed with the helping verb have (or: has) and the third form of the verb.	The Present Continuous is formed with the helping verb to be (am, are, is) and the "-ing" form of the verb.
Which helping verb do I use?	do / does	did	will	have / has	to be (am, are, is)