Present Continuous Tense

Present Continuous/Progressive Tense

Use:

We use the present progressive tense:

1. When somebody is doing something at this moment.

·         Sarah is changing her clothes right now.

·         Her boyfriend is waiting for her.

·         We are learning the progressive tense in English.

2. When something is happening at this moment. When the action has started but hasn't finished.

·         It is snowing at the moment.

·         The economy is growing at an exponential rate.

·         The children are sleeping, so please be quiet.

3. To talk about something that is happening around the time of speaking but not necessarily at that exact moment.

·         Alfredo is studying a lot for his exam.

·         I'm reading a great book. (not necessary right at this moment)

·         We are planning a trip to Jamaica.

Sentence structure:

Positive Sentence Structure:     

    • Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb-ing (Present participle) + object
    • Subject + am/is/are + (1st form of verb or base verb + ing) + object

If the subject is “I” then auxiliary verb “am” is used after subject in sentence.
If the subject is “He, She, It, singular or proper name” then auxiliary verb “is” is used after subject in sentence.
If subject is “You, They or plural” then auxiliary verb “are” is used after subject in sentence.
The participle “ing” is added to the 1st form of verb i.e. going (go) writing (write)

Examples:

•  I am playing cricket.
•   He is driving a car.
•   They are reading their lessons.

Negative Sentence: 

     • Subject + auxiliary verb + not + main verb-ing (Present participle) + object
      • Subject + am/is/are + not + (1st form of verb + ing) + object

Rules for using auxiliary verbs (am or is or are) after subject in negative sentences are same as mentioned above. 

Examples.

•          I am not playing cricket.
•          He is not driving a car
•          They are not reading their lessons.

Interrogative Sentences:

     

      • Auxiliary verb + Subject + main verb-ing (Present participle) + object
      • Am/is/are + Subject + (1st form of verb or base verb + ing) + object

For making interrogative sentences, the sentence is started with auxiliary verb rather than putting auxiliary verb inside the sentence. If the subject is “I” the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “am”. If the subject is “He, She, It, singular or proper name” the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “is”. If subject is “You, They or plural” the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “are”.

Examples.

•    Am I playing cricket?
•    Is he driving a car?
•    Are they reading their lessons?