Present Continuous Tense - Usage & Explanation

Usages and grammar explanations for the present continuous tense.

The Present Continuous tense, also known as the Present Progressive, is used to describe actions or events that are currently happening at the moment of speaking, as well as temporary situations.

Formula

Affirmative

The "am/is/are" and verb(-ing) are placed after the subject to form the affirmative.

I	am + Ving
He/She/It	is + Ving
You/We/They	are + Ving

I am working. = I'm working.

He is working. = He's working.

We are working. = We're working.

Negative

The "am/is/are" and then 'not' and verb(-ing) are placed after the subject to form the negative.

I	am + not + Ving
He/She/It	is + not + Ving
You/We/They	are + not + Ving

I am not working. = I'm not working.

He is not working. = He's not working.

We are not working. = We're not working.

Question

The "am/is/are" is placed before the subject and verb(-ing) to form the question.

Am	I + Ving
Is	he/she/it + Ving
Are	we/you/they + Ving

Am I working?

Is he working?

Are we working?

Time Expressions

now, right now, just now, at the moment, at this moment, at the present, at the present time, at present, today, this week/month/year, this term, temporarily, nowadays, these days, for the time being.

Usages

To describe actions happening now, at the moment of speaking.

I am listening to music.

Is she cooking in the kitchen?

The kids are playing in the garden.

They are watching a movie together.

She is talking to her friend right now.

He is writing an email at this moment.

To describe temporary actions or situations that are happening around the present time.

I am staying with my cousin for a week.

She is recovering from his surgery this week.

He is working on a short-term project this month.

She is using public transport because her car is in the shop.

Many tourists are visiting the city this month because of the festival.

To talk about plans or arrangements for the near future, especially when the time is already decided.

We are meeting them at 7 PM.

He is flying to Paris next month.

They are going to the beach on Saturday.

The new restaurant is opening next week.

She is visiting her grandparents next weekend.

To express repeated actions, often with a sense of annoyance or emphasis, usually used with always, constantly, forever.

You are always forgetting your keys!

He is always leaving his clothes on the floor!

They are always complaining about something.

She is constantly interrupting me when I’m trying to work.

To describe actions or situations that are changing or developing.

He is improving his French skills.

Our relationship is becoming stronger.

The climate is getting warmer each year.

Technology is advancing rapidly these days.

The population in this city is growing quickly.

Stative verbs (e.g., know, like, believe) are not typically used in the present continuous tense.

✗ I am knowing the answer.

✓ I know the answer.

✗ She is wanting a new car.

✓ She wants a new car.

✗ I am understanding this lesson.

✓ I understand this lesson.

Spelling Rules

For most verbs add "-ing"

Work → Working

Read → Reading

For verbs ending in "e" drop the "e" and add "-ing"

Write → Writing

Make → Making

For one-syllable verbs ending with a single vowel followed by a consonant double the consonant and add "-ing"

Run → Running

Sit → Sitting

For verbs ending in "ie" change "ie" to "y" and add "-ing"

Die → Dying

Lie → Lying