Present Continuous Ten


In these lessons, we will learn

  • how to form the Present Continuous Tense (Present Progressive Tense)
  • when to use the Present Continuous Tense
  • negatives in the Present Continuous Tense
  • the differences between the Present Tense and Present Continuous Tense



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Present Perfect Tense
Simple Past Tense
Past Participle
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More Lessons On English Grammar

The following diagram shows examples of Present Continuous Tense and when to use Present Continuous Tense. Scroll down the page for examples and step by step solutions.

Present Continuous Tense

How To Form The Present Continuous Tense?

Verbs have different forms, called tenses. The tense of a verb tells us when the action happens. We use the present continuous tense to describe actions that are happening now, around now and personal future plans. The present continuous tense is also called the present progressive tense.

We can form the present continuous tense in the following way:

am/is/are + verb + ing = present continuous tense.

verb + ing = present participle

Examples
I am learning how to swim.

She is reading a book.

The crow is building a nest.




When To Use Present Continuous Tense?

We can use the present continuous tense in the following situations:

Situation 1: Actions that are happening now.

Examples
Marcus is making a puppet.

We are singing too loudly.

They are fishing in the stream.

Situation 2: Actions that are happening around now or are temporary.

Examples
She is staying in New York.

We are working hard these days.

Situation 3: Future Plans

Examples
We are going camping tomorrow.

I am starting piano lessons soon.

We are having a barbeque this evening.

Negatives In The Present Continuous Tense

We can form the negative of the Present Continuous Tense by adding not after am/are/is.

Positive Negative Contraction
I am singing. I am not singing. I’m not singing.
He is reading. He is not reading. He isn’t reading.
She is dancing. She is not dancing. She isn’t dancing.
You are playing. You are not playing. You aren’t playing.
They are sleeping. They are not sleeping. They aren’t sleeping.
It is raining. It is not raining. It isn’t raining.

How to make basic sentences in present continuous tense?

Forms and uses of the present progressive tense or present continuous tense.

The present continuous or present progressive verb tense



The present continuous tense describes actions that are happening now and in the future

Differences Between Present Tense And Present Continuous Tense

The following videos show the differences between the Present Tense and the Present Continuous Tense.

Present Simple vs Present Continuous.

The differences between the present tense and the present continuous tense in English

Learn about the difference between the Present Simple and the Present Continuous (Progressive) in English



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