PRESENT CONTINUOUS
tense
When to use?
We use the Present Continuous to talk about
actions happening right now, future arrangements or
temporary actions.
EXAMPLES:
They are reading a book now.
I am eating lunch with a friend this weekend.
My mom is cooking dinner in the kitchen.
How to use?
POSITIVE STRUCTURE:
He We
I + am + eating. She + is + eating. You + are + eating.
It They
For all subjects, the verb takes -ing.
How to use?
NEGATIVE STRUCTURE:
He We
I + am not + eating. She + isn’t + eating. You + aren’t + eating.
It They
For all subjects, the verb takes -ing.
How to use?
QUESTION STRUCTURE:
he we
Am + I + eating? Is + she + eating? Are + you + eating?
it they
For all subjects, the verb takes -ing.
Attention!
There are several spelling rules while adding -ing!
For most verbs, simply add -ing to the base form of the verb.
do doing
play playing
study studying
For verbs ending in e, drop the "e" and add -ing.
make making
take taking
write writing
For one-syllable verbs ending in a consonant + vowel + consonant,
double the final consonant and add -ing.
sit sitting
run running
plan planning
For verbs ending in ie, change the "ie" to "y" and add -ing.
tie tying
die dying
lie lying
For verbs ending in c, add "k" before adding -ing.
picnic picnicking
panic panicking
mimic mimicking
time expressions
We usually use the following time expressions
with the Present Continuous Tense:
now / right now
at the moment
currently
this week / this morning
We are playing cards now!
this weekend / this month
today / tonight
