Present Continuous

Present Continuous
Forming the present continuous
The present continuous of any verb is composed of two parts - the present tense of the verb to
be + the present participle of the main verb.
(The form of the present participle is: base+ing, e.g. talking, playing, moving, smiling)
Affirmative
Subject + to be + base + ing
She is talking.
Negative
Subject + to be + not + base + ing
She is not (isn't) Talking
Interrogative
to be + subject + base + ing
Is she talking?
Examples: TO GO, present continuous
Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I am going I am not going Am I going?
You are going You aren't going. Are you going?
He, she, it is going He, she, it isn't going Is he, she, it going?
We are going We aren't going Are we going?
You are going You aren't going Are you going?
They are going They aren't going Are they going?
Note: alternative negative contractions: I'm not going, you're not going, he's not going etc.
Functions of the present continuous
As with all tenses in English, the speaker's attitude is as important as the time of the action
or event. When someone uses the present continuous, they are thinking about something that
is unfinished or incomplete
The present continuous is used:
to describe an action that is going on at this moment: You are using the Internet. You
are studying English grammar.
to describe an action that is going on during this period of time or a trend: Are you
still working for the same company? More and more people are becoming
vegetarian.
to describe an action or event in the future, which has already been planned or
prepared: We're going on holiday tomorrow. I'm meeting my boyfriend tonight. Are
they visiting you next winter?
to describe a temporary event or situation: He usually plays the drums, but he's
playing bass guitar tonight. The weather forecast was good, but it's raining at the
moment.
with "always, forever, constantly", to describe and emphasise a continuing series of

repeated actions: Harry and Sally are always arguing! You're constantly
complaining about your mother-in-law!
BE CAREFUL! Some verbs are not usually used in the continuous form
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
to feel*
to hear
to see*
to smell
to taste
Opinion
to assume
to believe
to consider
to doubt
to feel (= to think)
to find (= to consider)
to suppose
to think*
Mental states
to forget
to imagine
to know
to mean
to notice
to recognise
to remember
to understand
Emotions / desires
to envy
to fear
to dislike
to hate
to hope
to like
to love
to mind
to prefer
to regret
to want
to wish
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)

What's the difference?
Present Simple and Present Continuous
Present Simple Present Continuous
Things which are always true: Things which are happening at the moment
of speaking:
Water boils at 100 degrees.
The water is boiling now, so you
can put in the pasta.
Permanent situations (or nearly permanent; Temporary situations:

true for a few years at least):
Julie is living in Paris for a few
Julie lives in London. months (usually she lives in
London).
Situations which are slowly changing:
I'm getting better and better at

speaking English.
Habits or things we do regularly: Temporary or new habits:
I drink coffee every morning. I'm drinking too much coffee these
days because I'm so busy at work.
Annoying habits (usually with 'always'):
My flatmate is always leaving the

kitchen in a mess!
Future events which are part of a timetable: Definite future plans:
My plane leaves at eight tonight. I'm meeting John after class today.
To talk about the future after certain words

('when' 'until' 'after' 'before' 'as soon as'):
I'll call you when I get home.
To talk about what happens in books, plays To talk about people in pictures and photos:
and films:
At the end of the book, the detective In this photo, my mother is walking
catches the killer. beside a lake.
Remember:
We use the present simple with stative verbs. We can't use any continuous tense
(including the present continuous tense, of course) with stative verbs.

Present Continuous

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Present Continuous

Forming the present continuous

Examples: TO GO, present continuous

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

Functions of the present continuous

The present continuous is used:

with "always, forever, constantly", to describe and emphasise a continuing series of

Verbs that are not usually used in the continuous form

to be (in most cases)

to have(when it means "to possess")*

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)

Permanent situations (or nearly permanent; Temporary situations:

Situations which are slowly changing:

I'm getting better and better at

Habits or things we do regularly: Temporary or new habits:

Annoying habits (usually with 'always'):

My flatmate is always leaving the

Future events which are part of a timetable: Definite future plans:

To talk about the future after certain words

I'll call you when I get home.

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