Present Continuous Tense – With Usage Examples and Pictures

For affirmative sentences we use the formation of “am, is, are + Ving”. For negative sentences we use “not” after the auxiliaries “am, is, are”. To make questions just put “am, is, are” before the subject. See the animated sentences below to learn the structure of present continuous tense.

⬤ Which auxiliary (helping verb) to use for present continuous tense?

• They are swimming.
• I am reading a book.
• He is playing football.
• Lucy is going home.
• Ali is helping his father.

⬤ Positive (Affirmative) sentences

For the formation of positive sentences in present continuous tense we add use “am, is, are” and a verb with “-ing” suffix at the end.

• I am not crying.
• He is not drinking tea.
• We aren’t waiting for the bus.
• I’m not going anywhere.

⬤ Negative sentences

For the formation of negative sentences in present continuous tense we use “not” together with “am, is, are“. The short forms are “‘m not, isn’t, aren’t ”

• He did not want tea.
• We didn’t wait for the bus.
• I didn’t use your pen.
• Susan didn’t lie.

⬤ Interrogative sentences

For the formation of question sentences (interrogative) in present continuous we take “am, is, are” before the subject of the sentence.

• Is Mr. Gibbs having breakfast?
• Are you kidding?
• What are you looking at?
• Why are yo laughing?

⬤ Sentence forms in present continuous tense

⬤ Explanations and usages of present continuous tense

You can learn the explanations, usages and time adverbs of present continuous tense below.

⬤ 1- Activities that are happening at the time of speaking

Present continuous tense is used to describe activities that we do at the very moment of speaking.

• I am listening to music now.
• He is working in the office.
• Are you crying?
• What are you doing now?
  – I’m drinking tea.

⬤ 2- Longer and temporary actions

Temporary but continuous actions can also be expressed using present continuous tense.

• I writing a book on pets.
• I am studying maths at the university.
• We are staying in this hotel.
• She is selling flowers.

⬤ 3- Arrangements for near future

We can also use present continuous tense to talk about arrangements in near future

• We are going to the cinema tomorrow evening.
• He is meeting some friends this evening.
• Are you coming with us next week?
• We are celebrating the Eid two days later.

⬤ 4- Annoying situation

The word “always” can be used with the present continuous tense to give the idea of an annoying or bothering situation.

• He is always getting up late nowadays.
• You are always exaggerating the news.
• Sam is always talking loud.

⬤ 5- Non-progressive verbs

Some verbs have no progressive forms, so these verbs are used in simple present tense.
Some of these verbs are:believe, know, remember, understand, need, hate, like, love, prefer, want, feel, mean etc.

• WRONG: I am knowing the answer.
  CORRECT: I know the answer.
• WRONG: I am loving you.
  CORRECT:I love you.
• WRONG: I am understanding it.
  CORRECT:I understand it.
• WRONG: He is liking ice-cream.
  CORRECT:He likes ice-cream.

Examples:

• I know the answer.
• I like football.
• Do you remember my name?
• I don’t want tea.
• What do you mean?

⬤ Time expressions in present continuous tense

Time expressions are now, just now, at the moment, at present

⬤ Images and example sentences

In this section you can learn present continuous tense with images and example sentences.

⬤ A dialogue example

Below is a dialogue to learn present continuous tense. After reading the sentences, you can make similar dialogues.

No, they are not coming. Mike is going to london and Sam is working at the office now. They are busy.

⬤ Translate the sentences below into your native language.

You will see random examples of present progressive tense below. You can translate them into your native language.