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 reading1. We are reading
2. You are reading2. You are reading
3. He/She/It is reading3. 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 reading1. We are not/aren’t reading
2. You are not/aren’t reading2. You are not/aren’t reading
3. He/ She/It is not/isn’t reading3.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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