Tense: Present Continuous Tense With Questions and Answers

Tense: Present Continuous Tense With Questions and Answers

(also called Present Progressive)

We often use the Present Continuous tense 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, ispresent 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:

 subjectauxiliary verb main verb 
+Iam speakingto you.
+Youare readingthis.
-Sheisnotstayingin London.
-Wearenotplayingfootball.
?Ishe watchingTV?
?Arethey waitingfor John?

How do we use the Present Continuous tense?

We use the Present Continuous to talk about:

  • action happening now
  • action in the future

Present Continuous for action happening now

a) for action happening exactly now

am eating my lunch.
pastpresentfuture
 
 The action is happening now. 

Look at these images. Right now you are looking at this screen and at the same time...

the pages are turningthe candle is burningthe numbers are spinning

b) for action happening around now

The action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just before and just after now, and it is not permanent or habitual.

John is looking for a new job.
pastpresentfuture
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The action is happening "around" now. 

Look at these examples:

  • Muriel is learning to drive.
  • am living with my sister until I find an apartment.

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, tomorrownext yearin Juneat 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.

am taking my exam next month.
pastpresentfuture
 !!!
 
 A firm plan or programme exists now.The action is in the future.

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?

In these examples, a firm plan or programme 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.

Basic ruleJust add -ing to the base verb:
workworking
playplaying
assistassisting
seeseeing
bebeing
Exception

If the base verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel + consonant, double the last letter:

stop
 consonantstressed
vowel
consonant

vowels = a, e, i, o, u

stopstopping
runrunning
beginbeginning
Note that this exception does not apply when the last syllable of the base verb is not stressed:
openopening
ExceptionIf the base verb ends in ie, change the ie to y:
lielying
diedying
ExceptionIf the base verb ends in vowel + consonant + e, omit the e:
comecoming
mistakemistaking

Present Continuous Quiz

You can do this grammar quiz. It tests what you learned on the Present Continuous page.

1. _____ they coming over for dinner?

 Is
 Are
 Am

2. Maxwell _____ not sleeping on our sofa.

 is
 are
 am

3. My mother-in-law is _____ at our house this week.

 stay
 staying
 be staying

4. I _____ my dinner right now.

 eat
 eating
 am eating

5. My sister _____ Spanish.

 learn
 is learning
 learning

Present Continuous Tense

6. I _____ at the hair salon until September.

 work
 be working
 am working

7. We _____ at a fancy restaurant tonight. Jason decided this yesterday.

 eat
 are eating
 eats

8. Why ________ playing football tomorrow?

 he not is
 he isn't
 isn't he

9. They are _____ a new shopping mall downtown.

 opening
 openning
 oppening

10. Melissa is _____ down on her bed.

 lieing
 liying
 lying
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