Present Continuous
AFFIRMATIVE
We use a form of the verb to be – am, is or are plus the –ing form of the main verb.
1. I am reading | 1. We are reading |
2. You are reading | 2. You are reading |
3. He/She/It is reading | 3. They are reading |
NEGATIVE
We use the negative particle not (n’t) after the form of the verb to be.
1. I am not/’m not reading | 1. We are not/aren’t reading |
2. You are not/aren’t reading | 2. You are not/aren’t reading |
3. He/ She/It is not/isn’t reading | 3.They are not/aren’t reading |
INTERROGATIVE
We change the place of am, is or are and the subject in the sentence.
1. Am I reading? | 1. Are we reading? |
2. Are you reading? | 2. Are you reading? |
3. Is he/she/it reading? | 3. Are they reading? |
We use the Present Continuous for:
1.ACTIONS HAPPENING NOW, AT THE MOMENT
Example: I am listening to music now.
2. TEMPORARY SITUATIONS
Example: We are studying German this term.
3. FIXED FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS
Example: I am seeing my friends tonight.
4. CHANGING OR DEVELOPING SITUATIONS
Example: The weather is getting colder and colder.
5. WITH “ALWAYS” TO EXPRESS ANNOYANCE
Example: He is always singing in the bathroom.
We can use the following time words depending on the use of the Present Continuous tense: now, at the moment, right now, today, this week, currently, tomorrow, tonight, next week etc.
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