PRESENT CONTINUOUS
TENSE
GRAMMAR PRESENTATION
WHEN TO USE
PRESENT CONTINUOUS?
ACTIONS HAPPENING NOW
We use it to talk about actions that are happening now.
Examples: “I am eating lunch.”
“She is writing a letter.”
“They are playing soccer in the park.”
“He is cooking dinner.”
“We are watching a movie.”
DESCRIBING TEMPORARY ACTIONS
It's used for actions that are temporary or not habitual.
Examples: “He is learning to play the guitar.”
“She is trying a new recipe today.”
“I am taking a yoga class this week.”
“We are visiting our grandparents for the weekend.”
“She is playing soccer with her friends today.”
DISCUSSING FUTURE PLANS
We also use it to talk about future arrangements.
Examples: “I am meeting my friend at 4 pm.”
“They are flying to Paris next week.”
“She is attending a conference on Friday.”
“He is going to the dentist in the afternoon.”
“We are watching a play at the theater this evening.”
HOW TO FORM
PRESENT CONTINUOUS?
POSITIVE FORM
To make a positive sentence, start with the subject,
add the appropriate form of "to be" (am, is, are),
and then add the base form of the verb with -ing.
Examples: “I am cooking dinner.” I am swimming.
“She is playing tennis now.” You are swimming.
We are swimming.
They are swimming.
He is swimming.
She is swimming.
It is swimming.
NEGATIVE FORM
For negative sentences, use "not" after the form of "to be"
(am not, is not, are not), and then add
the base form of the verb with -ing.
Examples: “She isn’t sleeping.” I am not swimming.
“They aren’t watching TV.” You are not swimming.
We are not swimming.
They are not swimming.
He is not swimming.
She is not swimming.
It is not swimming.
QUESTION FORM
To ask a question, begin with the appropriate form of "to be"
(am, is, are), add the subject, and then add
the base form of the verb with -ing.
Am I swimming?
Examples: “Is she cooking?”
Are you swimming?
“Are you studying for the test?”
Are we swimming?
Are they swimming?
Is he swimming?
Is she swimming?
Is it swimming?
HOW TO FORM?
We form short answers like this:
Positive Short Answers Negative Short Answers
Yes, you / we / they are. No, you / we / they aren’t
Yes, he / she / it is. No, he / she / it isn’t.
Ye, I am No, I am not
Verbs that are not usually used in the continuous form
The verbs in the list below are normally used in the simple form
because they refer to states, rather than actions or processes.
Senses / perception Opinion Mental states Emotions / desires
to feel* to assume to forget to envy to mind
to hear to believe to imagine to fear to prefer
to see* to consider to know to dislike to regret
to smell to doubt to mean to hate to want
to taste to feel (= to think) to notice to hope to wish
to find (= to consider) to recognise to like
to suppose to remember to love
to think* to understand
Measurement
to contain
to cost
to hold
to measure
to weigh
Others
to look (=resemble)
to seem
to be (in most cases)
to have (when it means "to possess")*
Exceptions
Perception verbs (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) are often used with
can: I can see... These verbs may be used in the continuous form but
with a different meaning
This coat feels nice and warm. (your perception of the coat's
qualities)
John's feeling much better now (his health is improving)
She has three dogs and a cat. (possession)
She's having supper. (She's eating)
I can see Anthony in the garden (perception)
I'm seeing Anthony later (We are planning to meet)
THANKYOU
