The present continuous tense is a verb tense used for continue actions in the present. It is also know as present progressive tense. We use it to describe actions or things happening in the present and may continue in the future.

In this article, you will learn what is present continuous tense, how and when to use this tense in English. In addition, you will see examples of present continuous tense to see the construction of sentences using this tense.

Let’s get started!

What is Present Continuous Tense?

The present continuous tense is a verb tense that is used to describe things or actions that are occurring now and will continue in the future. Present continuous tense is also known as present progressive tense because it describes ongoing action in the present. See the following examples of present continuous tense.

Examples:

• He is going for shopping.
• She is cooking food for dinner.
• He is playing cricket on the ground.
• They are studying for the examination.
• Are they going to visit us?
• Are they playing games?

How to Identify Present Continuous Tense

Identifying present continuous tense is easy because it uses auxiliary verbs such as is/are/am with the -ing form of the verb, also known as a gerund in English grammar.

• He is working hard.
• They are standing outside.
• We are preparing the meal.
• I am driving the car.

When to Use Present Continuous Tense

Present Continous Tense is used to describe actions that are continuous in their nature and happening in the present time.

1. 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. 

1. We use the present continuous to talk about future plans or arrangements:

• Mary is going to a new school next term. 
• What are you doing next week?

2. We also use the present continuous to talk about something that 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.

3. Something which we think is temporary 

4. Something which is new and contrasts with precious state.

5. Something which is changing, growing or developing 

6. Something whichhappens again and again

When not to use Present Continuous Tense

Present continuous tense is not used if you use static verbs like love, know, etc. 

Present continuous tense is used to describe ongoing action instead of stative verbs. 

A stative verb in English shows a state of being rather than an action. 

For example, he is loving it. This sentence is grammatically incorrect.  To say this sentence, we simply use present simple. The correct sentence would be; he loves it.

Incorrect:

• He is loving it.
• He is knowing her. 
• He is preferring it. 

Correct :

• He loves it. 
• He knows it.
• He prefers it.

Stative Verbs

Verbs of thinking and feeling

Verbs of senese:

Others

We normally use the simple instead:

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

The Exception to the Rule

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

Example: He is being bold by ordering the jalapeno-chopotle pancacke.

Bu in its stative form, the verb to be is awkward if conjugated in the presentence continuous.

Incorrect: He is being tall teenager.

Correct: He is a tall teenager. 

Here are some more examples

The waiter thinks Scott should save room for pumpkin pie. (State and in the present simple.)

The waiter is thinking about getting a new job. (Dynamic and in the present continuous)

How to Make Present Continuous Tense

Present continuous tense is easy to make sentences. In this verb tense, we use the helping verb is/are/am with the subject and use the first form of the verb with ing, which is also called the present participle form of the verb. The formula of present continuous tense is:

Subject + helping verb + present participle

Positive Sentences of Present Continous Tense

The positive sentence of the present continuous tense is very simple. We use subject, helping verb, and present participle (base verb +ing). For instance, She is watching tv.

Let’s look at more examples to clarify the point.

The positive sentences of the present continuous tense are easy to make. we use is/are/am with ing form of the verb. The construction of the sentence looks like:

Subejct + is/are/am + ing-verb + object.

• He is swimming.
• She is working.
• It is raining.
• They are playing.
• I am studying.
• We are playing.
• You are cleaning.
• Ali is cleaning.
• Children are playing.

Examples:

• She is cleaning.
• She is cooking.
• She is reading.
• She is driving.
• She is watching.

In the present continuous tense,

He she it – is

I – am 

We, They You – are

Negative Sentences in Present Continuous

We make negatives by putting not or n’t after am, is or are:

• I’m not doing that.
• You are’t listening. (or You’re not listening.)
• They aren’t coming to the party. (or They’re not coming to the party.)
• She isn’t going home until Monday. (or She’s not going home until Monday.)

When we use the present continuous tense to make negative sentences, we add “Not” after the auxiliary verbs (is, are, am).

For instance; Subject + is/are/am+not + Present Participle.

Consider the following sentences:

• She is not cleaning the house.
• They are not working.
• I am not studying.

Examples:

• She is not cooking food tonight.
• He is not studying hard to pass the exam.
• It is not working well.
• I am not bothering you.
• I am not sleeping.
• We are not playing cricket.
• You are not reading the book.
• They are not writing a letter.
• They are not staying with us.
• They are not painting the house.

Question Sentences of Present Continuous Tense / Present Continous Questions 

We make questions by putting am, is or are in front of the subject. 

• Are you listening?
• Are they coming to your party?
• When is she going home?
• What am I doing here?

The structural form of question sentences of the present continuous tense is super easy. To ask a question, use the helping verb at the start. 

Helping verbs (is/are/am) come at the beginning of the sentence, followed by Subject + Present Participle. 

If you use WH words like What, Where, When, Who, and Why, then these words come first. For instance;

• What are you doing?
• Where are you going?
• When are you coming?
• Who is coming?
• Why is he coming.

Examples Sentences of Present Continuous Tense

Let’s take a look on the following sentences to learn the construction of sentences using present continuous tense in English.

• He is performing an act. 
• He is solving the sums. 
• She is reading the book. 
• They are playing soccer.
• They are participating in the competition.
• We are running the election campaign.
• We are riding horses. 
• You are writing a letter. 
• You are attending the meeting.
• He is not getting ready.
• He is not mowing the grass.
• She is not helping others.
• She is not going  shopping.
• They are not working on the project.
• The are not telling the truth.
• We are not going to Paris.
• We are not visiting them in this summer.
• You are not painting your house.
• You are not reading the book.
• Is she cooking food?
• Is he playing soccer?
• Is it working?
• Are they studying?
• Am I going to
• Are we welcoming the guest?
• Are you reading the book?
• Is your friend coming to the party?

Incorrect 

• Scot is loving his Aunt Christine.
• Sarah is hearing the music. 

Correct

• Scott loves his Aunt Christine. 
• Sarah hears the music.

Conclusion

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 sparingly – short and sweet can’t be beat!

Common Construction in the  present continuous Tense

Common Dynamic Verbs that use the present continous

Active verbs

• Ask
• ask 
• call 
• eat
• hep 
• hit 
• jump 
• look at 
• play
• throw

Process verbs

• change
• grow 
• mature
• arrive
• fall

Sense Verbs

• feel (as in touch)
• hurt
• ache

Common Stative Verbs that Do Not Use the present Continuous

Opinion Verbs

• deserve
• know 
• recognize
• understand 

Ownership verbs

• own belong
• need
• possess

Emotion verbs

• feel 
• hate
• love
• sound

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the present continuous tense in English grammar?

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What is the present continuous tense in English grammar?

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What is the present continuous tense in English grammar?

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