present continuous

I 'm not doing that. You are n't listening. (or You ' re not listening. ) They are n't coming to the party. (or They ' re not coming to the party. ) She i s n' t going home until Monday. (or She 's not going home until Monday. )

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Stative verbs

We do not normally use the continuous with stative verbs . Stative verbs include:

We normally use the simple instead:

I understand you. (NOT I am understanding you. ) This cake tastes wonderful. (NOT This cake is tasting wonderful. )

Level: intermediate

We also use the present continuous to talk about:

something which is happening before and after a specific time :

At eight o'clock we are usually having breakfast. When I get home the children are doing their homework.

something which we think is temporary :

Michael is at university. He 's studying history. I 'm working in London for the next two weeks.

something which is new and contrasts with 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?

something which is changing, growing or developing:

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

something which happens again and again :

It 's always raining in London. They are always arguing . George is great. He 's always laughing .

Note that we normally use always with this use.

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Level: advanced

We can use the present continuous to talk about the past when we are:

telling a story :

The other day I 'm just walking down the street when suddenly this man comes up to me and asks me to lend him some money. Well, he 's carrying a big stick and he looks a bit dangerous, so I 'm wondering what to do …

summarising a book, film or play:

Harry Potter is a pupil at Hogwarts school. One day when he is playing Quidditch he sees a strange object in the sky. He wonders what is happening …

Hi. I want to know the difference between: He don't play golf now. He is not playing golf now. Are both correct? or just one of them? Why?

Hi Darelia_1325,

The first sentence should be He doesn't play golf now (not don't).

We use the present simple ( He doesn't play... ] to describe habits. For example, I can say about myself that I go running . It doesn't mean I'm running right now but rather that running is my hobby - I do it regularly.

We use the present continuous ( He isn't playing ) to describe an activity right now. For example, I can say about myself that I am typing on my computer . It's what I am in the middle of right now.

Both sentences are possible:

He doesn't play golf now means that it was his hobby in the past but it's not his hobby any more.

He is not playing golf now means that he's doing something else - maybe he's at work or maybe he's driving his car.

The LearnEnglish Team

Hello! It’s mentioned above that “We do not normally use the continuous with stative verbs”.

I thought I’d seen some words being used in that sense.

I don’t have the exact examples at the moment, but I strung some sentences together to show what I mean. I use the verbs ‘love’, ‘hate’, and ‘smell’.

• I’m loving it (LOL it’s McDonald’s but apart from that, I feel I’ve seen structures like this, as in, “I am not loving this moment right now”. • I’m hating this too much now to process any rational thoughts. • I was smelling the flower before a bee emerged from it and stung me.

Please advise, thank you!

Hello Elle_Y,

Yes, the explanation says 'normally' because there are exceptions. If you read through the comments below, you'll see many people have asked about this. Please have a look through the first few pages; I think our responses there should answer your questions. If not, please feel free to ask us again.

All the best, Kirk LearnEnglish team

We are not running tomorrow morning. Is that phrase right? If yes, could you explaing?

Hello Izabely Graebin,

Yes, that can be correct. If you regularly go running with a friend every morning, for example, then you could say this.

We very often use the present continuous to speak about future events that we've made some agreement or arrangement about. You can see more about this on our Talking about the future page, which explains the verb forms we use to speak about the future and their differences in meaning.

Hello,Sir. I was wondering if the sentence is right. e.g., More roads are being built every year. (Is it possible to use this sentence to talk about a process of changing?) Thank you for your precious time. Best Wishes!

Hello KimKH,

Yes, that sentence is perfect!

Hi guys. I have heard that the Present Continuous tense has way more importance in its action than the Present Simple tense regarding the speaker. Do you know why?

Hello leo15722,

I'm afraid I don't really understand what that statement means. I'm not saying it's wrong, but without understanding it or seeing an example of it, I don't know what to say!

All the best, Kirk The LearnEnglish Team

Hello sir, I have found this lesson very interesting and useful one?

I have come across a sentence in this lesson, "When I get home the children are doing their homework". I I'm finding it a bit difficult to understand.

Please explain whether that sentence implies: -

a) Routine action: Every day I get home (say from work), I found the children to be engaged in their homework or b) Regular action : On a particular day, whenever I get home (say I come to home multiple times may be from office, market etc), every time I found the children to be engaged in their homework. b) One-time action: On a particular day, when I get home (from work), I found the children to be engaged in their homework.

Mohit Gupta

Hello ismmohit,

Without any other information I would say that the correct interpretation is (c): the sentence tells use what the situation is at the time I get home on a particular occasion. It could be (b) if there was some other indication in the context such as an adverb (always, generally, typically etc).

Thanks a lot for your prompt response. Now, the meaning is clear to me but I still wonder when to use this sentence. Like we can use this sentence while telling a story or summarizing a book etc but other than that I haven't been able to figure out its usage.

I feel we can use its past form: "When I got home the children were doing their homework" or future form "When I get home the children will be doing their homework" more frequently.

What's your opinion on its usage?

Hello again,

It's very hard to say when the sentence is in isolation like this. It could be a present form used for a narrative, which is quite common in anecdotes and when relating stories informally, or it could be a typical action as I said. The verb forms have their normal meanings here, so the continuous aspect suggests something in progress etc.

Hi! That how I know if an action happens regulary, we use present simple, so in the following sentence given as an example: At eight o'clock we are usually having breakfast. Why is present continuous used?

Hello alma1,

When we use the present continuous to speak about a regular action, normally that action is happening at or near the time of speaking or we're imagining such a situation.

So in this case, it could be early in the morning and someone has asked the speaker if they can speak on the phone at 8. The speaker might respond with this sentence as a way of saying that she can't speak at 8 because she'll be having breakfast with her family.

Note that a sentence using the present simple like 'We usually have breakfast at 8 o'clock' is more general. It speaks merely about a habit. The sentence with the present continuous is responding to a more specific situation.

Hope this helps you make sense of it.

I was wondering about an example and which use of the present continuous you think that would be:

When I'm not working, I like to go out for a drink.

What would you say that is - a temporary action at the moment of speaking, a background action of some sort? It sounds natural and intuitive but I'm not sure why we use it. Thank you!

Hello foefum,

The basic idea here is that something happens (I go for a drink) in a situation (when I'm not working). In other words, the clause 'when I'm not working' describes a situation when the main action (going out for a drink) often happens.

Does that make sense?

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Yes, that makes sense. I also thought of that but with the past tenses it's a real situation happening. In the example I gave it's a habit or more of a hypothetical one, I think Like I guess we can say When I'm not at work, I go for a drink If I'm not at work, I go for a drink (that doesn't sound as natural, I suppose)

So, I was thinking it was probably static vs. dynamic verbs here. Otherwise, we are talking about each time I work or don't work and it should be present simple if we look at it this way - habitual actions/a routine. A background to the main action, as you said, makes a lot of sense... but with the past tenses one action interrupts another real one. The example with the present tenses is more like a conditional, I feel. Then again, maybe we can have a background action as a condition too. Does that make sense to you?

I can see what you mean when you say a background action is like a condition. I'm not sure I'd think of it that way, but I'm not sure I can really say it's wrong either. Re: your idea of static vs dynamic verbs, I assume you mean that 'I like to go out' is static and 'I'm not working' is dynamic. Perhaps I've not understood your point, but I don't think that's all that relevant here.

I think part of what makes this difficult is that we're talking about a sentence that has no context. If we knew what the situation was and what the speaker was thinking and intending to communicate when they said it, that would definitely help.

It sounds to me as if you understand this grammar, but if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask us.

Hi there, In the present continuous tense, we can say" Is he not coming now? " as a negative interrogative sentence.

I want to know about this sentence: Isn't he coming now? Is this belong to the same tense? Thank you

Hi mehla A,

Yes, both of those questions are fine and they are examples of questions in the present continuous - this is the present tense with continuous aspect.

These questions ask about something which is happening right now (at the moment of speaking). The negative form shows the speaker is surprised:

please can I ask which tense this sentence should be? " Thought/ Having thought/ To think/ Thinking the boy might be hungry, I offered him something to eat".

Hi Widescreen,

"Thinking" is the best option here. Using the - ing form shows that the action (thinking) happens simultaneously with the other action (offering), or as the reason of it. For more information about this, have a look at our Participle clauses page. I hope it's useful!

Can we say " I'm working in a restaurant for two months " if I want to mean that it's temporary?

Another question-In my textbook,it says we can use Present continuous with words like "this year,this week" "The company I work for isn't doing very well this year ". They gave it as an example. My question is can we can Present progressive continuous In the above sentence?

Hello Faii,

Yes, you can use the present continuous in that way for temporary situations. Both of your examples are correct.

What is the difference between "I'm reading a really good book at the moment" and "I have been reading a really good book at the moment" ?

Hello Faii,

The first sentence is correct; the second is not.

The reason for this is that 'at the moment' tells us that we are describing an action in progress currently and is not finished and to describe this we use the present continuous ( I'm reading ). The present perfect continuous tells us about an action which started in the past, continued up to the present and may or may not continue into the future. We do not use this form with the time marker 'at the moment'. You could use 'for a while', 'for a week', 'since last weekend' etc instead.

I have heard many native speakers use the verb "understand" in progressive form -like I'm not understanding it .Also ,they do the same thing with the verb "Want".Is it correct to use these verbs in progressive form ?

I would not consider those forms standard or correct. They may occur in certain humorous contexts or as part of non-standard language use in some particular areas or groups, of course.

Thanks.i got it. I have another question .In my textbook it says the verb "feel" can't be used in continuous if it's a link verb and they gave the following sentence as an example. "The water feels cold" Can't we say "the water is feeling cold" ?

Hello again Faii,

No, we generally don't use 'feel' in this way and the standard form would be 'the water feels cold'.

It is possible to use 'feel' with continuous aspect when you are describing a mood or emotion and want to emphasise that it is a temporary state:

I'm feeling quite nervous about the exam tomorrow.

Why do we use an -ing form in these sentences?

Wishing you a speedy recovery. Wishing you a great day, etc.

Could I also say "wish you..."?

Hello Plokonyo,

This is a form which we use only when signing off from emails or letters. It has the same meaning as 'I am wishing...'.

There are a few similar forms such as: Hoping to see you soon / Looking forward to hearing from you.

Hello sir , I need the answer of the following examples and under which rule they are classified . 1.There are some gardens, but it is winter so nothing ............... now. a is growing b are growing c grow d is grown 2.I usually like parties but I ............... this one very much. don't enjoy or am not enjoying

Thanks in advance

Hello engtea87,

I'm afraid we don't provide answers to tasks like this. We're here to help with explanations and examples, but we don't offer a correction service and we don't do our users' tasks for them – if we did this then we'd end up doing homework and tests for everyone!

I can tell you that both questions are asking about situations which are in progress at the moment, not general states. If you think about which very form describes an action or state in progress at the moment and not generally true then you'll have your answer :)

Hello there, I think this lesson is really good. But there's something I don't understand. I saw a rule in a grammar book. It said we cannot use short action verbs in the present continuous, because these actions cannot last. According to the book, we can say "he is eating."but we can't say "he is awaking". Is this rule correct? But if the rule is correct, why can we say" he is buying a pen" to express the action he is doing, not in the future?I mean buy is a short action verb and the action can't last. Really look forward to your reply Thanks!

Hi Alexandra1111,

We can say "he is buying a pen" because we can understand the verb "buy" as having a duration. For example, we can imagine "buy" as including looking at different pens, taking the pen to the cashier, making the payment, etc., and it therefore takes some time to do.

To be honest, I'm not very familiar with the rule you mentioned, but I guess in this understanding, the verb "awake" means an instantaneous action (not just a short action) of stopping sleeping. Being instantaneous, it cannot have a duration, and it cannot be divided into stages (unlike "buy"). I imagine this is why it recommends not using it in the present continuous.

However, I can't think of any other examples of verbs like this at the moment, except possibly "arise". I would also point out that the verb "awake" is a slightly unusual example. The Cambridge Dictionary notes that it is literary in style. In everyday usage, the verbs "wake up" and "awaken" are much more common, and they are used in the present continuous, especially with a non-literal meaning of realising or becoming aware of something. For example, the Cambridge Dictionary gives this example:

-- Governments are finally waking up to the fact that the environment should be cleaned up. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/wake-up-to-sth

I hope that helps.

Jonathan The LearnEnglish Team

Hi Jonathan, Thank you for your reply. Instataneous action is exactly what I want to say. Can instataneous action like break or drop be used in present continuous?

Yes, you can certainly use the continuous forms, including present continuous, with those verbs. I don't think either of those verbs are really instantaneous, in the sense that you can certainly see a process in each action. Of course, we are talking only about one use of the continuous aspect here; there are others such as temporary situations, repeated actions and so on.

The verbs which are rarely used in the continuous are verbs describing states (be, have for ownership etc.) and opinions (like, love, hate etc.) rather than actions.

Peter The LearnEnglish Team

Hi Jonathan, Thanks for your response.

[1] Can I use present continuous tense when talking about my personal plans I've arranged by myself without involving another person in the arrangements? E.g.: I'm cleaning my room this afternoon and I'm decorating it tonight (= fixed plans and arrangements by myself). Is this right?

[2] Can I use "to be going to" for future facts ? E.g.: (a) My birthday is going to be next Sunday and I'm going to turn 50 then. (b) Everybody is going to get old.

[3] If I use "will" for the two sentences in [2], is there any difference in the emphasis ?

I would highly appreciate your detailed explanation. Best regards,

Hello melvinthio,

Re: 1, yes that is correct -- you can use the present continuous in this way. Teachers often refer to plans involving another person as a way of showing there's some kind of commitment, but as you've guessed, it's not absolutely necessary. If you use the present continuous here, it suggests a firm plan.

Re: 2, it sounds a little odd to me to use 'be going to' in a), but I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say it's wrong. I'd probably use present simple for the first verb and present continuous for the following; the first talks about a calendar event and the continuous form speaks about a development I suppose. 'be going to' sounds very odd in b) to me; again, I'd probably use present continuous here, to express developing changes.

Re: 3, it would sound odd to use 'will' in these sentences, though 'will be turning' in a) would work if you're thinking about what the experience of having a birthday that day might be like.

Hope this helps.

Hello sir, I would like to ask two questions sir. 1) May I know what is the difference between these two sentences " Mary is going to a new school next term. " and " Mary will go to a new school next term. " ? 2) In this sentence " George is great. He is always laughing. " , I don't understand the second part. What I have learnt is that when we use " always + -ing form " , we want to mean that something is irritating or we are complaining about something. I can't think clearly the sense which it is written. Could you please kindly explain? sir

Hello Bo Bo Kyaw,

Regarding your first question, the form with 'going to' indicates a plan. The second sentence with 'will' is also possible, but it could indicate different meanings depending on the context, so it's difficult for me to say more without knowing more. I'd suggest you have a look at our Talking about the future page ( https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/english-grammar/talking-about-t… ) to see an overview of the most common verb forms we use to talk about the future. I think that should help you make sense of this.

As for your second question, it's possible to use the present continuous to talk about repeated actions if the action is somehow connected to the present moment. In this case, for example, it sounds as if people are talking about George's qualities and so he is present in their discussion at the time of speaking.

Hi guys. Can you explain for me about the difference between something happens again & again and something happens before & after a specific time? For example, in a sentence: At midnight I'm usually reading in bed. I think this describe about happening again & again, because they use "usually" - this describe that we repeat an activity approximately 70% every time. However, I'm wrong. Thanks for your explanation. Have a nice day.

Hi minhoang,

I think both explanation fit perfectly well here: this is an example of both something which happens repeatedly and something which happens before and after a specific time. In the exercise, however, there is a sentence which fits only the first of these, so when you solve the whole exercise I think only the second option is available.

Hi guys , "Playing " is a verb or noun ? If it's a verb , how did we put a verb after am or is or are ! The same question for the name If we translate it , we will not understand it !

Yes, 'playing' can be used as a verb and also as a noun. In the case of 'am playing', it's most likely a present continuous form. But, for example, in 'Playing the piano is fun', 'playing' is a noun.

Most words can be used in more than one way and/or have more than one meaning.

If there's a specific example you'd like to ask us about, please include the whole sentence.

Hello DaniWeebKage,

We use the present continuous + for to talk about time periods stretching into the future, while we use the present perfect to describe time periods stretching back into the past.

There can be some overlap in the the present continuous can describe a time which is just beginning or one which is already in progress, but the present perfect with for does not go refer to future time, even if the action is unfinished and will continue into the future.

Present Continuous

The present continuous verb tense indicates that an action or condition is happening now, frequently, and may continue into the future.

The Present Continuous Formula: to be [am, is, are] + verb [present participle] Aunt Christine is warming up the car while Scott is looking for his new leather coat. They are eating at Scott’s favorite restaurant today, Polly’s Pancake Diner.

Key words: Verb, present participle, tense, dynamic verbs, stative verbs Here’s a tip: Want to make sure your writing always looks great? Grammarly can save you from misspellings, grammatical and punctuation mistakes, and other writing issues on all your favorite websites.

The present continuous (present progressive) tense is a way to convey any action or condition that is happening right now , frequently, and may be ongoing. It adds energy and action to writing, and its effect helps readers understand when the action is happening. Imagine Aunt Christine has surprised her nephew Scott for his birthday and is going to take him out to his favorite restaurant, Polly’s Pancake Diner. If I wanted to tell the story after it happened, I’d use the past tense:

They waited at the red light, and Scott worried they might miss their reservation. (Past tense)

But what I really want to convey is how the event unfolded , showing the action as it is happening:

They are sitting at Scott’s favorite booth, the one with the sparkling red plastic seats.(For how long? We don’t know, but we do know they are sitting there now. ) The waiter is standing behind the counter right now with a notepad in his hand and pencil behind his ear. (Will he ever make it over to the booth? Probably, but not now. ) “ Are you waiting to open your presents after you eat your pancakes?” said Aunt Christine, taking a sip from her root beer. (Here the present continuous is being used in question form.)

From this narrative point of view, the action is immediate and continuous; there’s momentum. Sometimes writers use this tense to add suspense or humor in fictional pieces. What kind of pancakes will Scott and his aunt order? The suspense is killing me!

The Present Continuous Formula

To form the present continuous, follow this formula:

To Be [Am, Is, Are] + Verb [Present Participle]

When to Use the Present Continuous Tense

Use the present continuous tense with the appropriate “to be” verb and a dynamic verb. A dynamic verb shows action and/or process. For example,

Scott’s little sister is arriving at the diner two hours late because her roller-derby team, Chicks Ahoy, won the national championships early today. As she is walking into Polly’s Pancake Diner, she is yelling goodbye to her friends outside, and Scott hopes she doesn’t cause a scene since she is always embarrassing him in public.

When Not to Use the Present Continuous Tense

Do not use the present continuous tense with stative verbs. Stative verbs show a state of being that does not show qualities of change. These verbs can stay in the simple present. For example,

Aunt Christine is preferring the maple walnut pancakes over the banana peanut butter ones that Scott loves. Aunt Christine prefers the maple walnut pancakes over the banana peanut butter ones that Scott loves.

Here, the stative verb to prefer shows opinion, and therefore should not be conjugated into the present continuous. Stative verb categories include emotion (to love), possession (to belong), and thoughts (to recognize), and none of these should use the present continuous form.

The Exception to the Rule

Some verbs can be both dynamic and stative! Think about the verbs to be and to think. In its dynamic form, the verb to be can show action:

Sarah, Scott’s little sister, is being bold by ordering the jalapeno-chipotle pancakes.

But in its stative form, the verb to be is awkward if conjugated in the present continuous.

Sarah is being a tall teenager, who loves her food spicy and her sports dangerous. Sarah is a tall teenager, who loves her food spicy and her sports dangerous.

Here are some more examples:

The waiter thinks Scott should save room for pumpkin pie. (Stative and in the simple present) The waiter is thinking about getting a new job that requires less human interaction, like a veterinarian. (Dynamic and in the present continuous)

Idiomatic Expressions and Style

English can be confusing; what is grammatically correct isn’t always what you might hear in music, in advertisements, or during regular conversations. The present continuous is often used incorrectly. Consider the popular slogan for McDonald’s: “I’m Lovin’ It.” This is a grammatically incorrect sentence because to love is a stative verb, so why would McDonald’s use it in their advertisements?

This marks the difference between grammar and style. Using the present continuous as a means to exaggerate is a stylistic trend, and as such, it would not be surprising to hear this conversation:

Scott, glazed with a chocolate mustache, looks over to his aunt and says, “I’m lovin’ me some of these chocolate peanut butter banana pancakes!” “I’m hearing what you’re saying!” she replies, sprinkling powdered sugar atop the stacks on her plate.

Here Scott and his Aunt display their excitement in a silly way, emphasizing their feelings. On the other hand, you would never hear a native speaker say these sentences:

Scott is loving his Aunt Christine, a self-proclaimed pancake connoisseur. (People would simply say “Scott loves his Aunt Christine . . .”) Sarah is hearing the music from their table-top juke box and resists the urge to dance on the table. (Sarah hears the music. . .)

The Final Say

If you are teaching English or learning it, I’d recommend simply sticking to grammatically correct constructions and leaving the idiomatic expressions to the creators of advertisements and song lyrics. In formal writing, the experts recommend that when you can use fewer words to express a thought, you should, so use the present continuous sparingly—short and sweet can’t be beat!

Common Construction in the Present Continuous Tense

Common Dynamic Verbs that USE the Present Continuous

Common Stative Verbs that DO NOT USE the Present Continuous

Present Continuous

The present continuous (also called present progressive) is a verb tense which is used to show that an ongoing action is happening now, either at the moment of speech or now in a larger sense. The present continuous can also be used to show that an action is going to take place in the near future. Read on for detailed descriptions, examples, and present continuous exercises.

Present Continuous Forms

The present continuous is formed using am/is/are + present participle . Questions are indicated by inverting the subject and am/is/are . Negatives are made with not .

Present Continuous Uses

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.

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, now can mean different things: 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.)

USE 3 Near Future

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

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 .

Present Continuous Tips

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 .

ADVERB PLACEMENT

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

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

More About Active / Passive Forms

Present Continuous Exercises

Understanding Present Continuous Tense (Rules + Examples)

Among the many verb tenses, present continuous is one of the most commonly used tenses in English. It is used in daily conversations by people at large. Here is a brief breakdown of the present continuous. The article details the definition, different types of tenses, uses of present continuous tense, the structure of present continuous, and examples.

What Is Present Continuous Tense?

The present continuous, also known as the present progressive tense, refers to actions that are taking place now, these days, or nowadays. Here, the action hasn’t been completed yet. It is continuing and will do so for a little while.

For example: She is cleaning the house. Here, the person is cleaning the house right now and will continue to do so for a while . The action hasn’t ended yet.

Another example: The dog is barking at the birds. Here the action (barking) is taking place right now. In other words, it is a temporary action that will end soon.

What are the other tenses?

In English, there are three basic tenses . Each tense is further divided into four tenses. In total, the list comes to twelve verb tenses , and present continuous is one among them. Here is a full list of all the twelve tenses.

The table below explains each of these tenses with examples:

While these are all different types of tenses, the present simple, the past simple and the present perfect are the most commonly used.

Watch a short video lesson

How Is Present Continuous Different From Other Tenses?

Among many differences, the significant difference between the present continuous and other tenses is the structure. To understand them in detail, below is a comparison between present continuous with tenses like simple present and present perfect continuous .

Present Continuous vs. Simple Present

The simple tense is used when talking about actions that are done consistently. In other words, it is used when performing things that are done routinely. For example: He plays football. In the sentence “He plays football,” the person plays football as a part of his daily life. It is not temporary instead it is a permanent routine.

On the other hand, present continuous talks about actions that are happening now and will end in a little while. For example: She is eating now. Here, the “eating” action is happening now. It is temporary and will soon end.

In comparison to the simple present, forming a present continuous sentence is difficult. The structure of the present continuous is – subject + am/is/are + present participle (-ing).

On the other hand, the structure of the simple present is – subject + Verb1 + object.

The most common time frame words used in the simple present are always, often, generally, every day, every week, sometimes, and never.

In comparison, the common time frame words used in the present continuous are now, still, right now, these days, and at the moment.

All verbs are used in the simple present tense, whereas some verbs cannot be used in present continuous. Dynamic verbs are used, but stative verbs are not used in present continuous.

Present Continuous vs. Present Perfect Continuous

In the present continuous, the action is happening now. For example: I am eating now. Here the action of “eating” is taking place now.

In comparison, the present perfect continuous indicates that the action has started in the past and is continuing in the present. For example: She has been learning Ballet since 2020. Here the person started learning ballet in 2020 and still continuing with it.

The present continuous structure is – subject + am/is/are + present participle (-ing). On the other hand, the structure of present perfect continuous is – subject + have/has + been + present participle(ing).

How to Use Present Continuous Tense

The present continuous is used in many situations. It is used when:

Action Taking Place Now

The tense is used when talking about an action that is happening now. The sentences have words like now, right now, and at the moment which indicates the action is taking place now.

Longer Actions In Progress

The present continuous is used to describe actions that are happening now but will take a longer time period to finish.

Near Future

It is used to describe events that are planned for the near future. The sentences have a “future word” in them. Words like tomorrow and next week are used.

The tense is used to describe events that repeat and irritate.

Present Continuous Grammar Rules

Examples of Present Continuous

Here are examples of present continuous.

Affirmative Sentences

Negative Sentences

Inside this article

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Meaning of the present continuous in English

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divide something by something

to calculate the number of times that one number fits (exactly) into another

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Present Continuous

(also called Present Progressive)

We often use the Present Continuous tense in English. It is very different from the Present Simple tense, both in structure and in use.

How do we make the Present Continuous tense?

The structure of the Present Continuous tense is:

The auxiliary verb (be) is conjugated in the Present Simple: am, are, is

The main verb is invariable in present participle form: -ing

For negative sentences we insert not between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.

For question sentences, we exchange the subject and the auxiliary verb.

Look at these example sentences with the Present Continuous tense:

How do we use the Present Continuous tense?

We use the Present Continuous to talk about:

Present Continuous for action happening now

a) for action happening exactly now

Look at these images. Right now you are looking at this screen and at the same time...

b) for action happening around now

The action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just before and just after now, and it is not permanent or habitual.

Look at these examples:

Present Continuous for the future

We can also use the Present Continuous tense to talk about the future - if we add a future word !! We must add (or understand from the context) a future word. "Future words" include, for example, tomorrow , next year , in June , at Christmas etc. We only use the Present Continuous tense to talk about the future when we have planned to do something before we speak. We have already made a decision and a plan before speaking.

In these examples, a firm plan or programme exists before speaking . The decision and plan were made before speaking.

How do we spell the Present Continuous tense?

We make the Present Continuous tense by adding -ing to the base verb. Normally it's simple: we just add -ing. But sometimes we have to change the word a little. Perhaps we double the last letter, or we drop a letter. Here are the rules to help you know how to spell the Present Continuous tense.

Back to 12 English Tenses

Present Continuous Games

Present Continuous Tense - Meaning, Definition, Formula, Uses, Structure with Examples

Are you wondering how the present continuous tense can be used? Well, fret no more. You just came across a sentence with the present continuous tense. In this article, you will learn all that you need to know about what the present continuous tense is, its definition, uses, structure and rules of usage. Along with these, with the examples and practice questions, you will surely be able to use the frame sentences using the present continuous tense accurately.

Definition of the present continuous tense, structure of the present continuous tense, rules and points to remember when using the present continuous tense, uses of the present continuous tense, 10 sentences using the present continuous tense, test your understanding of the present continuous tense, frequently asked questions on present continuous tense, understanding the present continuous tense.

The present continuous tense, as the name suggests, is the form of tense that is used to denote an action that is ongoing or occurring in that current moment. It is also referred to as the present progressive tense as they represent the action that is progressing in the present. Let us now take a look at the definitions provided by various dictionaries about the present continuous tense.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines the ‘present continuous tense’ as “the verb form used for actions or events that are happening or developing now.” According to the Collins Dictionary, the present continuous tense is defined as “a verb form consisting of an auxiliary be in the present tense followed by a present participle and used especially to indicate that a present action or event is in progress, being repeated, or of a temporary nature or to express the future.” The present continuous tense is “the tense used to talk about actions or behaviour that are in progress now or planned for the future”, according to the Macmillan Dictionary.

There is definitely just one formula to mastering the present continuous tense and this is how it goes.

However, there is something more you should pay attention to. You should also learn how the sentences with the present continuous tense form of the verb are structured when they are positive, negative, interrogative and negative interrogative.

Have a look at the table given below to have a deeper understanding of the structure of the present continuous tense.

When using the present continuous tense, make sure you follow the sentence structure exactly.

For example:

Like the simple present tense , the present continuous tense is also generally used to talk about an action that is taking place in the present. The only difference is that it denotes an action that is continuing to happen or progressing at the current moment.

Take a look at the following points that elaborate on the more specific uses of the present continuous tense.

Examples of Present Continuous Tense

Going through more and more examples can only make you an expert in the particular subject or topic. So , here you go. Check out the examples of sentences using the present continuous tense given below.

Having gone through all the given examples, you should have understood really well. Check your understanding of the present continuous tense by filling in the blanks in the following sentence with the right form of tense using the verbs given in the brackets.

1. ______ the clock ________ (work)?

2. The teachers ___________ (plan) to dance to all the latest songs on Childrens Day.

3. ______ she ___________ (play – negative) the piano anymore?

4. The dog __________ (run) all around the garden.

5. We ____________ (go – negative) to the party tomorrow.

6. The Bellas ___________ (perform) the songs of the 80s.

7. Will, Smith and Sherlock ___________ (dance) well.

8. _______ I __________ (look) good today?

9. Trinita and Vinitha ____________ (ride) on their new cat.

10. _____ he still ________ (stand) there?

Ready to see if you got it all right. Check out the answers given below.

1. Is the clock working ?

2. The teachers are planning to dance to all the latest songs on Childrens Day.

3. Is she not playing the piano anymore?

4. The dog is running all around the garden.

5. We are not going to the party tomorrow.

6. The Bellas are performing the songs of the 80s.

7. Will, Smith and Sherlock are dancing well.

8. Am I looking good today?

9. Trinita and Vinitha are riding on their new cat.

10. Is he still standing there?

What is the present continuous tense?

The Present Continuous Tense, as the name suggests, is the form of tense that is used to denote the action that is ongoing or occuring in that current moment. It is also referred to as the present progressive tense as they represent the action that is progressing in the present.

What is the definition of the present continuous tense?

What is the formula to be followed when using the present continuous tense.

The formula to be kept in mind and used when writing or speaking a sentence in the present continuous tense is as follows: Subject + am/is/are + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence

Give some examples of the present continuous tense.

Here are a few examples to show you how the present continuous tense is used.

What are the uses of the present continuous tense?

The present continuous tense can be used to talk about an action that

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Present continuous

Sophie is working in Cairo this week. Oliver, Alfie and Daisy are working hard for their end-of-year exams.

Instructions

As you watch the video, look at the examples of the present continuous. They are in red in the subtitles. Then read the conversation below to learn more. Finally, do the grammar exercises to check you understand, and can use, the present continuous.

Oliver: Hey, Alfie, what are you doing? Alfie: I’m studying for tomorrow’s exam. You? Oliver: Yeah, me too. Well ... I’m just uploading some photos to Facebook and I’m sending a message to Billie ... oh, and I’m downloading the new Arcade Fire album ... oh yeah, and I’m having a coffee too. It’s tiring all this studying! Oh, and at eight, I’m meeting Lucas, just for a quick coffee. It’s important to take regular breaks you know! Alfie: You’re not really studying at all, are you? Come on, mate, if you don’t pass the exam, you’ll have to take it again after the holidays. Oliver: You sound like my mum, Alfie! Talk of the devil. She’s calling me. I’ll phone you later, OK? Alfie: Sure.

Oliver: Hi, Mum. Sophie: Hello, love, what are you doing? Oliver: I’m studying, Mum. I’ve got a big exam tomorrow. What about you? Sophie: Oh Ollie, I just had to phone you. I’m riding a camel at the pyramids! Oliver: Cool. Sophie : I’m with a tour group. We’re having a great time! We’re all riding camels and the sun’s shining. Oh, it’s fantastic, Ollie! Oliver: Lucky you! Sophie: So, are you working hard for the exam? Oliver: I’m trying to, Mum! Sophie: What’s Daisy doing now? Is she at home? Oliver : No, she’s at tennis practice. Sophie: Of course she is. OK, I’ve got to go. They’re waiting for me to get off the phone! Bye, love. Oliver: Bye, Mum.

We use the present continuous ( am/is/are + -ing ) to talk about temporary things which have begun but haven't finished. They are often happening now, at this moment.

Here are some examples of things happening now.

I' m just uploading some photos to Facebook and I' m sending a message to Billie. We 're all riding camels and the sun' s shining . They' re waiting for me to get off the phone!

I'm not sure what ' temporary ' means. Can I say ' I'm learning to drive ', even if I'm not having a driving lesson right now?

Yes, absolutely! You might not be having a driving lesson right at this moment, but it is temporary, so that's correct. We use the present continuous for longer situations like this too.

OK, I see what you mean. So that’s for things happening now, or round about now. What about the future? Can I use the present continuous for the future?

Yes, I’m glad you asked me that. We use the present continuous for future arrangements with other people.

At eight I’m meeting Lucas, just for a quick coffee.

What about questions and negatives?

For questions you just change round the subject and the verb to be . So, You are > Are you , then add the –ing form. Sometimes you need a question word first.

Are you working hard for the exam? What are you doing ? Is anybody sitting here?

For negatives you add not after the verb to be . Don't forget to use a contraction if you're speaking.

You' re not really studying at all, are you? (or You are n't really studying…) They aren't using the computer room at the moment. This program isn't working .

That's fine, but I suppose there are some spelling rules for –ing forms?

Yes, you're right. If a verb ends in e , you take off the e and add –ing

hav e - hav ing rid e - rid ing

If a verb ends in a vowel + a consonant, the consonant is usually doubled before you add –ing .

sw im - swi mm ing r un - ru nn ing

But be careful with verbs with more than two syllables where the stress isn't on the last syllable. With those you don't double the consonant.

vis it - vis iting op en - op ening

OK, but what about two-syllable verbs where the stress is on the last syllable, like begin ?

If the stress is on the last syllable, you do double the final consonant.

be gin - begi nn ing

Right, the present continuous seems quite easy to me. I'm understanding it perfectly!

Whoops! Sorry, you can't say ' I'm understanding it '.

Why not? I'm talking about something happening right now.

Yes, but there is a group of verbs which are called state verbs which we use for states (not actions) and we don't usually use these in the continuous form.

want - need - like - love - hate - prefer - believe - think - know - realise - understand - recognise - suppose - be - exist - appear - look - seem - belong - have (for possession) - own - feel - smell - taste

So these are verbs for talking about emotions, thinking, existing, appearing, possession and the senses.

Yes, excellent.

But wait a minute. What about, 'I'm thinking of coming with you tomorrow.' Or, 'I'm thinking about my girlfriend.'

Yes, they are correct. But the meaning of think there is 'having thoughts in your mind' or 'considering'. It's not the same as 'having an opinion' about something.

I think that song's brilliant. (opinion) She 's thinking about studying archaeology. (considering / wondering about)

OK, so there are some exceptions. Like, 'I'm loving it.'

No, sorry, that's not an exception, that's wrong!

It can't be wrong!

Well, OK, maybe it's a new usage. English does change. But don't use it in exams!

Check your grammar: true or false - present continuous

Check your grammar: gap fill - present continuous, check your grammar: multiple choice - present continuous, worksheets and downloads.

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The Present Continuous tense(Rules and Examples)

How to form the present continuous, when to use the present continuous.

I am writing this explanation now.

2. We also use the present continuous tense when we want to say that something is incomplete . That means we are in the middle of the process and we are continuing to work on this project.

Time words – Today, This week, This year,

Present continuous vs present simple.

Another example:

(Future)To be Going to- What’s the difference?

Common verbs with present continuous.

We often use the present continuous when we talk about changes happening around now(actions):

We use continuous forms for actions that are incomplete (We are doing our homework.). Some verbs (for example, know and like) are not normally used in this way. We don’t say ‘I am knowing’ or ‘they are liking’; we say ‘I know’, ‘they like’.

Exercise on Present Continuous

Write the correct form of the Present Continuous

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Get my a.i writing tools list and stay up to date, 2 thoughts on “the present continuous tense(rules and examples)”.

1. Peter is playing football (play) 2. What are you doing? I am playing guitar (play) 3. He is not working today. (not work) 4. Are you meeting Sandra this evening? (meet) 5. Why is she doing that? (do) 6. What are you doing later? (do) 7. What are you drinking? It looks like coffee (drink) 8. I am not playing anymore! It is not fair (not play) 9. He is working on the big project for Google (work) 10. Are you playing in the chess tournament this weekend? (play)

How to Teach the Present Continuous

Last Updated: March 9, 2020 References

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 15,806 times. Learn more...

The present continuous, also called the present progressive, is a tense used to talk about things that are happening right now, created using the verb "to be" and a present participle (an action verb ending in "ing"). To teach this tense to others, go over the parts of the present continuous, as well as several examples of it. Touch on negative and interrogative forms of the present continuous when your student or class gets more comfortable with the tense, and provide lots of different exercises and games for them to practice.

Introducing the Present Continuous Methodically

Image titled Teach the Present Continuous Step 1

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Write each form on the board or a piece of paper after you talk about them to help visual learners.

Image titled Teach the Present Continuous Step 3

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For example, if you asked, “Are you reading a book?” the students would either answer, “Yes, I’m reading a book!” or “No, I am not reading a book.” This shows how to make the present continuous negative as well as interrogative.

Reinforcing Through Games and Activities

Image titled Teach the Present Continuous Step 6

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For example, a student might get a slip that says, “Reading” or “I am reading.” The student would act this out while the others try to guess, “You are reading!”

Image titled Teach the Present Continuous Step 9

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Explanations

Present Continuous Use

Perfect english grammar.

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Read about how to make the present continuous tense here. Download this explanation in PDF here.

Present Uses 1: First, we use the present continuous for things that are happening at the moment of speaking. These things usually last for quite a short time and they are not finished when we are talking about them.

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English Language Centre / Study Zone / Level 330 — Lower Intermediate / Grammar Topics / Present Continuous: Negatives and Questions

Present Continuous: Negatives and Questions

Introduction.

In the present continuous tense, negative forms are made using NOT, and question forms are made by changing the word order of the sentence. This page explains the rules.

1. Forming a negative

Negatives in the present continuous are formed by adding not or n't after the verb BE:

2. Forming a question

Yes/no questions are created by moving the verb BE to the beginning of the sentence. WH-questions are formed by moving the verb BE, and then adding the WH- word. Here are the rules:

When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.

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How to Teach the Present Continuous to ESL Students

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Disclaimer: This article is designed mainly for teachers planning a lesson on present continuous. For a more comprehensive explanation and detailed usage of the form, please access Learn How to Use Present Continuous .

Teaching the present continuous usually takes place after the present, past, and future simple forms have been introduced. However, many books and curricula choose to introduce the present continuous immediately after the present simple . This order can sometimes be confusing, as students may have difficulties understanding the subtlety of something that happens as a routine (as expressed by present simple) and an action that takes place at the moment of speaking (as expressed by present continuous).

No matter when you introduce this tense, it's important to provide as much context as possible by using appropriate time expressions , such as "now," "at the moment," "currently," etc.

How to Introduce the Present Continuous

Start by modeling the present continuous.

Begin teaching the present continuous by speaking about what is happening in the classroom at the moment of introduction. Once students recognize this usage, you can extend it to other things you know are happening now. This can include simple facts such as:

Make sure to mix it up by using a number of different subjects:

Ask Questions about Pictures

Choose a magazine or web page with lots of activity, and ask students questions based on the pictures.

Introduce the Negative Form

To teach the negative form, use the magazine or web pages to ask yes or no questions focusing on eliciting a negative response. You may want to model a few examples before asking students.

Once students have practiced a few rounds of questions, distribute magazines or other pictures around the classroom and ask students to grill each other on what is happening at the moment.

How to Practice the Present Continuous

Explaining the present continuous on the board.

Use a present continuous timeline to illustrate the fact that the present continuous is used to express what is happening at the moment. If you feel comfortable with the level of the class, introduce the idea that the present continuous can be used to speak about what is happening not only at the very moment but around the wider present (tomorrow, Sunday, etc.). It's a good idea at this point to contrast the present continuous auxiliary verb "to be" with other auxiliary verbs , pointing out that "ing" must be added to the verb in the present continuous form (subject + be (am, is, are) + verb(ing)).

Comprehension Activities

Comprehension activities such as describing what is happening in the photos in magazines or practicing with dialogue will help students solidify their understanding of the present continuous. In addition, present continuous worksheets will help tie in the form with appropriate time expressions, and review quizzes contrasting present simple with the present continuous might be very helpful as well.

Continued Activity Practice

It's a good idea to compare and contrast the present continuous with the present simple form once students have understood the difference. Also, using the present continuous for other purposes such as discussing present projects at work or speaking about future scheduled meetings will help students become familiar with the other uses of the present continuous form.

Challenges with the Present Continuous

The greatest challenge with present continuous is understanding the difference between a routine action ( present simple ) and an activity occurring at the moment. It's quite common for students to use the present continuous to speak about daily habits once they've learned the form, so comparing the two forms early on will help students understand the differences and avoid potential mistakes. The use of the present continuous to express future scheduled events is best left for intermediate level classes. Finally, students might also have difficulties understanding that stative verbs may not be used with continuous forms .

Present Continuous Lesson Plan Example

Guide to Present Tenses

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Present continuous - future arrangements

Do you want to practise using the present continuous for future arrangements in English?

Present continuous – future arrangements

We can use the present continuous to talk about future arrangements.

I 'm visiting my friend tomorrow. We aren't going to school today. What are you doing tonight?

How to use it

Use am , is or are and ing .

I 'm having a party for my birthday. My brother is staying home tonight. They 're going on holiday next week.

For negatives, use not .

I'm not doing anything this evening. She is n't meeting her friends tomorrow. We are n't going to school next week.

For questions, change the order of am , is or are and the person.

Are you playing badminton tomorrow? What 's he doing next Monday? Where are they going this weekend?

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IMAGES

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VIDEO

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Present Continuous

COMMENTS

Present continuous
The present continuous is made from the present tense of the verb be and the -ing form of a verb: We use the present continuous to talk about: activities at the moment of speaking: I'm just leaving work. I'll be home in an hour. Please be quiet. The children are sleeping. Present continuous 1 Present continuous 2 future plans or arrangements:
Present Continuous
The present continuous verb tense indicates that an action or condition is happening now, frequently, and may continue into the future. The Present Continuous Formula: to be [am, is, are] + verb [present participle] Aunt Christine is warming up the car while Scott is looking for his new leather coat.
Present continuous ( I am working )
We use the present continuous to describe actions which are repeated or regular, but which we believe to be temporary: I'm not drinking much coffee these days. I'm trying to cut down. She's working a lot in London at the moment. (She doesn't usually work in London.) Change We use the present continuous to talk about a gradual change:
Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous (also called present progressive) is a verb tense which is used to show that an ongoing action is happening now, either at the moment of speech or now in a larger sense. The present continuous can also be used to show that an action is going to take place in the near future.
Learn How to Use the Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous tense expresses something that is happening at the moment of speaking. It is frequently used in conjunction with time expressions such as "right now" or "today" to indicate that an action is occurring at that moment. For instance: What are you doing at the moment? She's reading in the garden now.
Understanding Present Continuous Tense (Rules + Examples)
Among the many verb tenses, present continuous is one of the most commonly used tenses in English. It is used in daily conversations by people at large. Here is a brief breakdown of the present continuous. The article details the definition, different types of tenses, uses of present continuous tense, the structure of present continuous, and examples.
THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS definition
the present continuous meaning: 1. the verb form used for actions or events that are happening or developing now: 2. the verb form…. Learn more.
Present continuous
The present continuous, also called the present progressive or present imperfect, is a verb form used in modern English that combines the present tense with the continuous aspect. [1] It is formed by the present tense form of be and the present participle of a verb.
Present Continuous
Present Continuous (also called Present Progressive) We often use the Present Continuous tense in English. It is very different from the Present Simple tense, both in structure and in use. How do we make the Present Continuous tense? The structure of the Present Continuous tense is:
Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous tense is "the tense used to talk about actions or behaviour that are in progress now or planned for the future", according to the Macmillan Dictionary. Structure of the Present Continuous Tense There is definitely just one formula to mastering the present continuous tense and this is how it goes.
Present continuous
We use the present continuous (am/is/are + -ing) to talk about temporary things which have begun but haven't finished. They are often happening now, at this moment. Here are some examples of things happening now. I'm just uploading some photos to Facebook and I'm sending a message to Billie. We're all riding camels and the sun's shining.
The Present Continuous tense(Rules and Examples)
1. The present continuous tense is for things happening now. So for example: I am writing this explanation now. You are reading this website now. 2. We also use the present continuous tense when we want to say that something is incomplete. That means we are in the middle of the process and we are continuing to work on this project.
Easy Ways to Teach the Present Continuous: 13 Steps
The present continuous, also called the present progressive, is a tense used to talk about things that are happening right now, created using the verb "to be" and a present participle (an action verb ending in "ing"). To teach this tense to others, go over the parts of the present continuous, as well as several examples of it.
Present Continuous Use
Present Uses. 1: First, we use the present continuous for things that are happening at the moment of speaking. These things usually last for quite a short time and they are not finished when we are talking about them. I'm working at the moment. Please call back as we are eating dinner now. Julie is sleeping.
What Is Present Continuous Tense?
The present continuous tense refers to actions and states that happen in the present but are continuous, that is, they still are ongoing and haven't ended yet—that we know of right now, at least. I am obviously not going to wash my car forever! What's funner than learning about grammar? Well, discussing if "funner" is a word or not! Find out here.
Present Continuous: Negatives and Questions
In the present continuous tense, negative forms are made using NOT, and question forms are made by changing the word order of the sentence. This page explains the rules. 1. Forming a negative. Negatives in the present continuous are formed by adding not or n't after the verb BE: Positive sentence. Negative sentence.
Present continuous
View history. The present continuous t ense is one of the continuous tenses in English. (Continuous tenses are: present continuous, past continuous, and future continuous.) The present continuous (also called " present progressive") tense mainly describes actions that are in progress at the time of speaking.
Present Continuous Tense
Present Continuous Tense | Sentence, Formula, Structure Learn CBSE Class 5 to 12 Physics Difference Between in Physics Maths Chemistry Biology Difference Between in Biology English Essays Speech Topics Science Computer Science Computer Fundamentals Programming Methodology Introduction to C++ Introduction to Python Programming with Python
Present Continuous Tense: Definition & Examples
Present continuous tense, otherwise known as the present progressive tense, is formed when the present tense of the 'to be' verb is connected with a present participle. A present participle is a ...
How to Teach the Present Continuous to ESL Students
Present Continuous Lesson Plan Example. Greet the class and talk about what is happening at the moment in class. Make sure to pepper your sentences with appropriate time expressions such as "at the moment" and "now." Ask students what they are doing at the moment to help them begin using the form. At this point in the lesson, keep things simple ...
Present continuous
Present continuous - future arrangements. We can use the present continuous to talk about future arrangements. I'm visiting my friend tomorrow. We aren't going to school today. What are you doing tonight?. How to use it. Use am, is or are and ing.. I'm having a party for my birthday. My brother is staying home tonight. They're going on holiday next week.. For negatives, use not.