Present
Continuous Tense
(also
called present progressive)
Simple definition
The present continuous means that we are in the middle of an
action.
Formal Definition
The
present continuous tense is used for actions happening now or for an action
that is unfinished. This tense is also used when the action is temporary.
One more Formal Definition
The
present continuous (also called present progressive) is a verb tense which
is used to show that an ongoing action is happening now, either at the moment
of speech or now in a larger sense. The present continuous can also be used to
show that an action is going to take place in the (near) future.
FORMULA
BE [is/are/am] + Verb
[fourth form (an-ing)]
Fourth form of verb is called Present Participle form and an –ing form.
Singular Subject = is
|
Plural subject = are
|
I = am
|
EXAMPLES
→ I am playing cricket.
→ Yaqoob is
reading a book.
→ You are
watching TV.
NEGATIVE EXAMPLES
→ I am not playing
cricket. OR I’m not playing
cricket.
→ Yaqoob is not reading
a book. OR Yaqoob isn’t reading a book.
→ You are not watching
TV. OR You aren’t watching TV
INTERROGATIVE / QUESTION
→ Is Yaqoob reading a
book?
→ Is Yaqoob not reading
a book? OR Isn’t Yaqboob
reading a book?
→ Are you watching TV?
→ Are you not watching
TV? OR Aren’t you watching
TV?
We use the present continuous to say that we are in the middle of
an action.
→ I'm waiting for the train. (I'm at the station now.)
→ I'm getting the lunch ready. (I'm in the kitchen
now.)
I'm
waiting means that I am in the middle of a period
of waiting. The wait is not yet over.
Present continuous tense can be used to express
something happening right now or to express something that is not
happening right now.
→ He is not
standing.
→ Aslam is
sitting in the chair.
→ They are not
watching the movie.
→ Rose is reading a
book.
Present continuous tense can also be used to
show that something will happen in the near future or will not happen
in the near future.
→ I am meeting some friends after work.
→ I am not going to the party tonight.
→ Is he visiting his
parents next weekend?
→ Isn't he coming with
us tonight? OR Is he not coming with us?
Another use of this
tense is when talking about a planned event in the future.
→ He is going to
America next year.
→ They are
leaving for the beach tomorrow morning.
→ The kids are
arriving at six o'clock.
→ She is speaking at
the conference this evening.
We can use always with
the present continuous to mean 'very often', usually with the added meaning of
‘too often'.
→ Ahmed and Aslam are always fighting.
(= Ahmed and Aslam fight very often.)
→ She is always making silly
mistakes.
(= she makes silly mistakes too often.)
→ She is constantly complaining about her sister.
→ Her mother is forever misplacing her keys.
THOUGHTS – FEELINGS – STATES
We
normally use the present simple (not
present continuous) to talk about thoughts and feelings.
→ She
thinks it's a good program.
→ Yaqoob
likes his job.
We
also use it to talk about states and permanent facts.
→ Reporting
means a lot to her.
→ Paper
burns easily.
We
also use the present simple in I promise, I agree, I refuse, etc.
→ I
promise I will write to you.
→ It
is all right. I forgive you.