Tenses
Present Continuous Tense
Definition
Present continuous tense is used when the action is in progress or continuous. It shows the actions happening at the moment.
Examples:
- I am watching television.
- She is reading a book.
When is the Present Continuous Tense Used?
- The present continuous tense is used with the present tense of the verb ‘be’ and the ‘ing’ form of a verb.
- It is also used to mention activities while speaking.
- I'm leaving for home now. I'll be there some time.
- Please don’t make noise. Everyone is sleeping.
- It is also used to make future plans or arrangements:
- Mary is going to New York for higher studies.
- They are practising this weekend.
- I was walking down the hill when someone pushed me from the back.
- Present continuous tense can be used while summarizing the current event in one line. These sentences could be found in a story.
- Present Continuous Tense can be used in affirmative, interrogative and negative sentences.
Examples:
| Be verb form | -ing form of Verb |
|---|---|
| I am | Studying |
| She is | Sleeping |
| He is | Playing |
| They are | staying |
| You are | dreaming |
| We are | eating |
Examples:
Examples:
Example:
Story: The Wondering Boy
There was a boy, Jagdish, who studied as a school student. One day when he is playing on the playground, he sees a strange thing in the sky. He wonders what is happening in the sky. He stares at it and realizes that his brother would know what it is so he rushes home to ask his brother.
Examples:
| Present Continuous Used in Different Types of Sentences | ||
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Interrogative | Negative |
| I am singing. | Am I singing? | I am not singing. |
| We are singing. | Are we singing? | We are not singing. |
| You are singing. | Are you singing? | You are not singing. |
| He/She/It is singing. | Is He/She/It singing? | He/ She/ It is not singing. |
| They are singing. | Are they singing? | They are not singing. |
Sentence Structure of the Present Continuous Tense
Let us take a look at the word order for the sentences in the present continuous tense:| Sentence Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Affirmative:
Subject + am/is/are +verb+ing+ other words or object |
|
| Negative:
Subject + am/is/are +not+verb+ing+ other words or object. |
|
| Interrogative:
am/are/is+subject+verb+ing+object or other words. Question word + am/are/is +subject+verb+ing+object or other words |
|
|
Interrogative Negative:
Same as Interrogative (Add ‘not’ after the subject) |
|
Common Mistakes
- Using present continuous tense for facts. As these facts do not change in time.
- Not using ‘are’ with plural nouns or subjects.
Example:
I have three siblings.
I am having three siblings.
Do not use present continuous tense for such situations.
Example:
They are still waiting for you.
They still waiting for you.
For plural subjects or nouns use ‘are’.
