Present Continuous

The present continuous tense (also called the present progressive tense) is commonly used in English for actions happening right now, or in the future. This page will explain the rules for forming the tense with regular verbs.

Forming the present continuous tenseVerbul a fi (to be) + verbul conjugat + terminatia ing

Subject BE -ING form I am singing You are singing He is singing She is singing It is singing We are singing They are singing

How to make the -ING form

With many verbs, you can simply add -ING to the end of the verb. However, with some verbs, you need to change the ending a little. Here are the rules:

Verb ending in... How to make the -ING form Examples one vowel + one consonant Double the consonant, then add -ING swim - swimming hit - hitting get - getting one vowel + one consonant + E Remove E, then add -ING come - coming lose - losing live - living [anything else] Add -ING say - saying go - going walk - walking

Forming a negative

Negatives in the present continuous are formed by adding not or n't after the verb BE: Positive sentence Negative sentence Contracted negative I am eating. I am not eating. I'm not eating. You are working. You are not working. You aren't working. He is driving. He is not driving. He isn't driving. She is teaching. She is not teaching. She isn't teaching. It is raining. It is not raining. It isn't raining. We are reading. We are not reading. We aren't reading. They are writing. They are not writing. They aren't writing.

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: Statement Yes/no question WH- question I am eating. Am I eating? What am I eating?

You are crying. Are you crying? Why are you crying? He is going. Is he going? Where is he going? She is arriving. Is she arriving? When is she arriving? It is sleeping. Is it sleeping? Why is it sleeping? We are leaving. Are we leaving? When are we leaving? They are fighting. Are they fighting? Why are they fighting?

USE 1 NowUse 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.Is he sitting or standing? They are reading their books.They are not watching television.What are you doing?Why aren't you doing your homework?

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.Are you working on any special projects at work?Aren't you teaching at the university 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.

Task 1: Make the following sentences negative. 1. I am thinking.2. You are singing.3. He is eating jelly.4. She is studying hard.5. It is raining now.6. We are having tea.7. They are driving to Toronto

Task 21. They ........................ (study) at the moment. 2. She ........................ TV. 3. What ........................ (you/read) at the moment? 4. I ........................ (cook) dinner tonight. Would you like to come? 5. It ........................ (work). I think it's broken. 6. He ........................ (learn) German for his job.