PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous tense is used for actions happening now
or for an action that is unfinished. This tense is also used when the action is
temporary.
Spelling Tip
Verb-ing
(Present Participle)
Add -ing to
most verbs. Ex. play > playing, cry > crying, bark > barking
For verbs
that end in e, remove the e and add ing. Ex: slide > sliding, ride >
riding
For verbs
that end in ie, change the ie to y and add ing. Ex: die > dying, tie >
tying
For a verb
whose last syllable is written with a consonant-vowel-consonant and is
stressed, double the last letter before adding ing. Ex: beg > begging, begin
> beginning. However: enter > entering (last syllable is not
stressed)
Examples of
Present Continuous Tense:
1.
I am writing articles on different topics.
2.
He is reading various kinds of books.
3.
They are playing football now.
4.
She is drinking coffee.
5.
He is going to the library.
6.
We are coming for shopping in this market.
7.
We are watching a movie in this Cineplex.
8.
You are shopping in that market.
9.
I am singing different kinds of songs, especially modern.
10. I am listening to
melodious songs.
11. He is traveling
around the world.
12. They are playing
cricket in that field.
13. The poet is writing
romantic poems.
14. The lyricist is
writing realistic songs.
15. Are you listening
to realistic songs?
16. I am not quarreling
with you.
17. Are you coming to
our home?
18. I am helping him to
do the task.
19. My mom is cooking
beef with cabbage.
20. Are you watching
cricket on television?
How to Form the
Present Continuous Tense
The present
continuous tense is formed with the subject plus the present particle form
(-ing) of the main verb and the present continuous tense of the verb to be: am,
is, are.
One simple example of this tense is: He is swimming. "He" is the subject, "is" is the present tense of the verb to be and "swimming" is the present participle verb form. Some other forms of this verb tense are:
One simple example of this tense is: He is swimming. "He" is the subject, "is" is the present tense of the verb to be and "swimming" is the present participle verb form. Some other forms of this verb tense are:
1.
I am singing at church today.
2.
The boys are playing ball after school.
3.
Examples of the Present Continuous Tense
4.
The following are basic examples of the present continuous tense.
She is crying.
5.
He is talking to his friend.
6.
The baby is sleeping in his crib.
7.
We are visiting the museum in the afternoon.
8.
Present continuous tense can be used to express something happening
right now or to express something that is not happening right now. Examples of
this use include:
9.
He is not standing.
10. Anthony is
sitting in the chair.
11. You are not
watching the movie.
12. Rose is
reading a book.
13. Present continuous
tense can also be used to show that something will or will not happen in the
near future. Examples of this use include:
14. She is not
going to the game tonight.
15. He is
meeting his friends after school.
16. Are you visiting your
cousin this weekend?
17. I am not
going to the meeting after work.
18. Is John playing football
today?
How to Use the
Present Continuous
The present
progressive is used:
To describe
something which is happening at the exact moment of speech.
Example:
Jim is
watching television at the moment.
To describe an
action that is taking place now but not at the exact moment of speech.
Example:
John is
working in London.
To describe an
event planned in the future.
Example:
I’m taking
my French class on Tuesday.
To describe a
temporary situation.
Example:
I’m staying
with a friend for a few days.
To emphasize the
frequency of an action.
Example:
That child
is always crying for no good reason.
To describe
changing situations.
Example:
Her health is
improving by leaps and bounds.
Present continuous
tense can be used in questions as well. Here are some more examples of this
use:
1.
Is she laughing?
2.
Are they listening to the teacher?
3.
Is the baby drinking his bottle?
4.
Are you going?
More Uses of
Present Continuous Tense
In addition
to the above, the present continuous tense can be used to describe actions that
are being repeated. Words like always, constantly and forever are used along
with the verb. Examples of this use include:
1.
Jack and Jill are always fighting.
2.
She is constantly complaining about her sister.
3.
Her mother is forever misplacing her keys.
Present continuous
tense can be used when speaking about current trends.
Examples of this use include:
1.
Shopping online is growing in popularity nowadays.
2.
The stocks are dropping constantly due to the economy.
3.
Today, most people are using text messages instead of the
phone.
Another use of this
tense is when talking about a planned event in the future.
Examples of
this use include:
1.
We are leaving for the beach tomorrow morning.
2.
The kids are arriving at six o'clock.
3.
She is speaking at the conference this evening.
When Not to Use
Present Continuous Tense
There are
certain verbs that cannot be used in the present continuous tense. The
following verbs are non-continuous:
Communication:
agree, promise, surprise
Feelings:
like, love, hate
Senses:
hear, see, smell, taste
Thinking:
believe, know, understand
Choose the correct
answer
1.
Hurry up! We ……………………….. for you.
waiting
are waiting
wait
2.
‘What are you ……………………….?' ‘I ………………………. letters.’
doing, writing
done, writing
doing, write
3. He
…………………………. in Italy at the moment.
works
working
is working
4.
She doesn’t like to be disturbed when she …………………………..
works
working
is working
5.
That child ……………………………… bigger everyday.
gets
getting
is getting
6.
Who is that girl …………………………….. on the table?
stand
standing
is standing
7. I
…………………………….. for the shops to open.
wait
am waiting
waiting
8. I
…………………………….. Jane tomorrow.
see
am seeing
seeing
9.
The universe ………………………, and has been so since its beginning.
expands
is expanding
expanding
10.
My sister ……………………. at home for the moment.
lives
living
is living
Answers
1. Hurry up! We are waiting for you.
2. What are you doing? I am writing letters.
3. He is working in Italy at the moment.
4. She doesn’t like to be disturbed when she is working.
5. That child is getting bigger everyday.
6. Who is that girl standing on the table?
7. I am waiting for the shops to open.
8. I am seeing Jane tomorrow.
9. The universe is expanding and has been since
its beginning.
10. My sister is living at home for the moment.
Complete the following sentences using Present Continuous Tense. (Capitalize when
needed)
1. My son (talk)
on the phone right now.
2. (you
/ sleep)?
3. Jason (do)
his homework at the moment.
4. Tom (work) on
a project nowadays.
5. My kids (play)
in the garden now.
6. Some people (wait)
to talk to you.
7. My wife (not
cook) today.
8. (Lucas /
study) for his exam right now?
9. (Ryan / play)
the piano now?
10. Lea and I (paint)
the fences today.
11. Andrea (help)
me at present.
12. My children (not
listen) to the radio now.
13. Selena (not
drink) tea now.
14. I (vacuum)
the carpet right now.
15. My father (watch)
TV now.
16. What (she /
eat) right now?
17. (your dog /
hide) from me?
18. What book (you
/ read) nowadays?
19. Thomas (drive)
me home now.
20. I (wash) my
face at the moment.
Fill in
the blanks with the present continuous tense form of the verb.
1. The students ………………… (go) to school.
2. I ……………… (look) to launch a new business.
3. I ………………. Mathews tomorrow. (see)
4. I ……………….. fine today. (feel)
5. He ……………….. on the bed. (lie)
6. She ……………….. presently ………. on cattle diseases. (work)
7. It …………… (begin) to rain.
8. We ………………. (hope) to hear from them soon.
9. She ……………….. (look) for a job.
10. I ………………. (read) the newspaper.
11. We ……………….. (arrange) some picnics.
12. The baby …………….. (cry).
13. The child ……………. (sleep).
Answers
1. The students are going to school.
2. I am looking to launch a new business.
3. I am seeing Mathews tomorrow.
4. I am feeling fine today.
5. He is lying on the bed.
6. She is presently working on cattle diseases.
7. It is beginning to rain.
8. We are hoping to hear from them soon.
9. She is looking for a job.
10. I am reading the newspaper.
11. We are arranging some picnics.
13. The child is sleeping.
Complete the sentences.
Use the present continuous form of the verb in brackets.
- You (use)
my mobile phone!
- My dad (wash)
his car.
- It(not
rain) today.
- Who(she
/ chat) to now?
- What(you
/ do) at the moment?
- We(sit)
on the train.
- The students(have)
lunch in the canteen.
- 'Are you making dinner?' 'Yes, I.'
