Introduction to the present continuous
The present continuous, also called the present progressive, is used to talk about actions and events that are happening at the time of speaking (now/at this moment).
In the two tables below, you will find the most important things you need to know about the present continuous tense.
TENSE | FORMATION RULE | SIGNAL WORDS | USE/FUNCTION |
Present Continuous / Progressive | Subject+am/is/are+ verb-ing | – Now – At this /the moment – Look! – Listen! | – happening at the time speaking – Future arrangements and fixed plans |
Form
AFFIRMATIVE | NEGATIVE | INTERROGATIVE |
I am doing. | I am not doing. | Am I doing? |
You / We/ They are doing. | You / We / They are not doing. | Are you/we/they doing? |
He / She / It is doing. | He / She / It is not doing. | Is he/she/it doing? |
Exercise
Put the verbs between brackets in the present continuous ( affirmative, negative, and interrogative)
- He ( walk) to school now.
- I ( study) at the moment.
- I ( sleep).
- You ( play) badminton tonight.
- We ( watch) TV.
- She (work )in Spain.
- He ( wait) for the bus.
- They (read).
- We ( go) to the cinema tonight.
- You ( read) the newspaper.
- She (eat) chocolate.
- I ( live) in Paris.
- We ( study) French.
- They ( leave) now.
- They ( live) in London.
- He ( work) in a restaurant now.
- I ( meet) my father at four.
- She ( drink) tea now.
- She (play )the guitar.
- We ( cook).