Present Continuous Tense
We often use the Present Continuous tense (also called Present Progressive) in
English. It is very different from the Present Simple tense, both in structure and in
use.
HOW DO WE MAKE THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE?
The structure of the Present Continuous tense is:
subject + auxiliary be + main verb
conjugated in Present Simple
am, are, is present participle (-ing)
The auxiliary verb be is conjugated in the Present Simple: am, are, is
The main verb is invariable in present participle form: -ing
For negative sentences we insert not between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.
For question sentences, we exchange the subject and the auxiliary verb.
Look at these example sentences with the Present Continuous tense:
affirmative/ subject auxiliary verb negative main verb Complement
negative/
question
+ I am speaking to you.
+ You are reading this.
- She is not staying in London.
- We are not playing football.
? Is he watching TV?
? Are they waiting for John?
HOW DO WE USE THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE?
We use the Present Continuous to talk about:
actions happening now/actions in the future
PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR ACTIONS HAPPENING NOW
For actions happening exactly now
I am eating my lunch.
Past present future
N/A The action is happening now. N/A
PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR THE FUTURE
We can also use the Present Continuous tense to talk about the future - if we add a
future word!! We must add (or understand from the context) a future word. "Future
words" include, for example, tomorrow, next year, in June, at Christmas etc. We only
use the Present Continuous tense to talk about the future when we have planned
to do something before we speak. We have already made a decision and a plan
before speaking
I am taking my exam next month.
Past present future
!!!
N/A A firm plan exists now. The action is in the future: next
month
Look at these examples:
We're eating at Joe's Cafe tonight. We've already booked the table.
They can play tennis with you tomorrow. They're not working.
When are you starting your new job? (asking about the future)
In these examples, a firm plan exists before speaking. The decision and plan were
made before speaking.
HOW DO WE SPELL THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE?
We make the Present Continuous tense by adding -ing to the base verb. Normally
it's simple: we just add -ing. But sometimes we have to change the word a little.
Perhaps we double the last letter, or we drop a letter. Here are the rules to help you
know how to spell the Present Continuous tense.
For most verbs we add -ing to the base form to make the -ing form:
be → being eat → eating order → ordering
cry → crying fix → fixing play → playing
do → doing go → going
For other verbs the spelling changes are (note the underlined syllables are
stressed):
verb -ing form
move moving
When the verb ends in -e, we take off the -e and add -ing. face facing
come coming
commit committing
prefer preferring
rub rubbing
When the verb ends in a vowel followed by a single
consonant and if the last syllable is stressed, then the
consonant is doubled. BUT:
covering
cover
remember remembering
travel travelling*
When the verb ends in a vowel + l, we double the
consonant.
control controlling
* American English spelling is traveling.
