The Present Continuous Tense
Updated: Sep 10
The Present Continuous Tense
- How do we form the Present Continuous Tense?
Verb to be (Present Simple) + main verb (Present Participle)
Ex 1. Ann is (verb to be (Present Simple)) walking (main verb (Present Participle)) in the park at the moment.
2. I am (verb to be (Present Simple)) studying (main verb (Present Participle)) now.
3. They are (verb to be (Present Simple)) taking (main verb (Present Participle)) a new course this term.
4. We are (verb to be (Present Simple)) sitting (main verb (Present Participle)) at the beach and listening (main verb (Present Participle)) to some music right now.
- When do we use the Present Continuous Tense?
1. To talk about something that’s happening now.
Ex. - He is sleeping now.
2. To talk about temporary situations.
Ex. – She is staying with her sister for the time being.
3. To talk about future plans.
Ex. We are going to Europe next summer.
- How do we form the negative WITH THE Present Continuous Tense?
1. We just add (not) to verb to be.
Ex. - Luna is not talking right now.
- We are not playing soccer this weekend.
- I am not watching TV at the moment.
- Suzan is not taking any courses this term.
- How do we form the question WITH THE Present Continuous Tense?
1. We need to use verb to be before the subject.
Ex. - Are you coming to the party tonight?
- Where is Tommy going?
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- The Spelling Rule:
If the verb consists of one vowel and one consonant, we must double the consonant before we add '-ing'
Ex.
I'm begging you.
He is putting the chairs away.
She is swimming.
Non-action verbs (Stative):
There are some verbs that are rarely used in the present continuous tense (for example: be, understand, want, need).
Examples: 'My mother is in the kitchen now.'
'Now I understand.'"
Standard Non-Action Verb Categories
Category | Verbs | Example (Right Now) |
Mental States | know, understand, remember, believe | "Now I understand." (Not: I am understanding) |
Emotions / Desires | want, need, love, hate, prefer | "I need help right now." (Not: I am needing) |
Possession | have, belong, own, possess | "She owns a car." (Not: She is owning) |
Senses & Being | be, seem, appear, smell, taste | "My mother is in the kitchen now." |
3. The "Dual-Meaning" Exceptions
To keep your explanation accurate, point out that a few non-action verbs become action verbs when their meaning changes:
Be:
State: "He is silly." (That's his personality)
Temporary Action: "He is being silly." (He is acting silly right now)
Have:
Possession (State): "I have a car."
Activity (Action): "I am having lunch."
Think:
Opinion (State): "I think it's a good idea."
Mental Process (Action): "Quiet, I am thinking."
To practise using the Present Continuous Tense, click this link:
www.englishiseasierwithamal.com
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