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Present Continuous Tense
 
 
 
PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE

Present Continuous Tense in English Grammar

What is Present Continuous Tense?

"Present continuous tense shows the action which is happening in the present and will continue for some finite time."

In the English language, We can use the present continuous tense for the action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just before and just after now, and it is not permanent or habitual.

Basic Structure of Present Continuous tense:

• Structure for Present Continuous •

Subject Auxiliary verb Main verb
subject be base + ing
I am going to college.

• Structure for Negative sentence •

Subject Auxiliary verb Main verb
subject be + not base + ing
I am not going to college.

• Structure for interrogative sentence •

Auxiliary verb Subject Main verb
be subject base form
Am I going to college?

We normally use the present continuous tense for:

• action happening exactly now,
• action happening around now,
• action in the near future.

USES OF PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
For an action going on at the time of speaking:
Examples:
  • • She is singing. (now)
  • • He is drinking coffee. (now)
  • • The boys are playing hockey. (now)
For a temporary action which may not be actually happening at the time of speaking:
Example:
  • • I am reading ‘Future Shock’. (but I am not reading at this moment.)
For an action that is planned or arranged to take place in the near in the future:
Examples:
  • • I am going to cinema tonight.
  • • My uncle is arriving tomorrow.
  • • I am meeting some friends after work.
For a habitual action:

It has been pointed out before that the simple Present is used for a habitual action. However, when the reference is to a particularly obstinate habit-something which persists, for example, in spite of advice of warning, we use the present Continuous with an adverb like always, continually, constantly.

Examples:
  • • She is always coming to class late.
  • • He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
  • • My dog is very silly; he is always running out in to the road.
To draw attention for action happining now:

Used with expressions that draw the attention of the listener to indicate actions happening now. These include: look, listen, Be careful, etc.

Examples:
  • • Shh! The baby is sleeping.
  • • Look! The boy is throwing stones.
  • • Listen! Somebody is asking for help.
  • • Keep quiet! Your brother is studying now.
Verbs used in the Continuous form:

The following verbs, on account of their meaning, are not normally used in the Continuous form:

Verbs Examples
Verbs of perception see, hear, smell, notice, recognize.
Verbs of appearing appear, look, seen.
Verbs emotion want, wish, desire, feel, like love, hate, hope, refuse, prefer.
Verbs of thinking

think, suppose, believe, agree, consider, trust, remember, forest, know, understand, imagine, mean, mind.

Have (=possess), own, possess, belong to, contain, consist of, be (except when used in the passive).
These verbs are used in the Simple Present. They may, however, be used in the continuous tenses with a change of meaning:
Examples:
  • • I am thinking of (=considering the idea of ) going to America.
  • • Mr. Shah is minding (=looking after) the baby while his wife is out shopping.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE TABLE
Present Continuous Tense Table
AFFIRMATIVE
  • I am going.
  • You are going.
  • We are going.
  • He/She is going.
  • They are going.
NEGATIVE
  • I am not going.
  • You are not going.
  • We are not going.
  • He/She is not going.
  • They are not going.
INTERROGATIVE
  • Am I going?
  • Are you going?
  • Are we going?
  • Is he/she going?
  • Are they going?

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