How To Make The Present Continuous Tense

How to make the Present Continuous Tense

(also called the Present Progressive Tense)

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/grammar-
explanations.html
The present continuous (sometimes called the present progressive) tense in English is really
easy to make and is the same for all verbs. We make it using the present simple of 'be' +
verb-ing:

(Click here if you'd prefer to learn how to USE this tense)
Here is how we make the positive:
Positive Positive Short Form

I am sleeping I'm sleeping
you are sleeping you're sleeping
he is sleeping he's sleeping
she is sleeping she's sleeping
it is sleeping it's sleeping
we are sleeping we're sleeping
they are sleeping they're sleeping
We can make the negative by adding 'not':
Negative Negative Short Form

I am not sleeping I'm not sleeping
you are not playing you aren't playing
he is not reading he isn't reading
she is not working she isn't working
it is not raining it isn't raining
we are not cooking we aren't cooking
they are not listening they aren't listening
Practise making the positive and the negative forms (exercise 1)
Practise making the positive and the negative forms (exercise 2)
Questions are also really, really easy. Just like we made the question with 'be' in
the present simple, here we also put 'am', 'is', or 'are' before the subject to make a 'yes
/ no' question:
Yes / No Questions
am I eating chocolate ?
are you studying now ?
is he working ?
is she doing her homework ?
is it raining ?
are we meeting at six ?
are they coming ?
For 'wh' questions, just put the question word at the front:
Wh Questions
Why am I eating chocolate ?
What are you studying now ?
When is he working ?
What is she doing ?
Why is it raining ?
Who are we meeting ?
How are they travelling ?
Practise making 'wh' and 'yes / no' questions (exercise 1)
Practise making 'wh' and 'yes / no' questions (exercise 2)
Mixed Exercise 1 (includes positive, negative, and questions)

Mixed Exercise 2
Mixed Exercise 3
Click here if you'd like to learn how to USE the Present Continuous
Present Continuous Use

(Also called the present progressive tense)
Read about how to make the present continuous tense here.
Download this explanation in PDF here.
Present Uses
1: First, we use the present continuous for things that are happening at the moment of speaking.
These things usually last for quite a short time and they are not finished when we are talking
about them.
 I'm working at the moment.

 Please call back as we are eating dinner now.
 Julie is sleeping.
2: We can also use this tense for other kinds of temporary situations, even if the action isn't
happening at this moment.
 John's working in a bar until he finds a job in his field. (He might not be working now.)
 I'm reading a really great book.
 She's staying with her friend for a week.
Compare this with the present simple, which is used for permanent situations that we feel will
continue for a long time.
 I work in a school. (I think this is a permanent situation.)

 I'm working in a school. (I think this is a temporary situation.)
3: We can use the present continuous for temporary or new habits (for normal habits that
continue for a long time, we use the present simple). We often use this with expressions like
'these days' or 'at the moment'.
 He's eating a lot these days.

 She's swimming every morning (she didn't use to do this).
 You're smoking too much.
4: Another present continuous use is for habits that are not regular, but that happen very often.
In this case we usually use an adverb like 'always', 'forever' or 'constantly'. Often, we use the
present continuous in this way to talk about an annoying habit.
 You're forever losing your keys!

 She's constantly missing the train.
 Lucy's always smiling!
Future Uses
5: The next use is for definite future arrangements (with a future time word). In this case we
have already made a plan and we are pretty sure that the event will happen in the future.
 I'm meeting my father tomorrow.

 We're going to the beach at the weekend.
 I'm leaving at three.
We can't use this tense (or any other continuous tense) with stative verbs.
Read more about the difference between the present simple and the present
continuous here.)
Try some exercises about the present continuous here.

How To Make The Present Continuous Tense

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How to make the Present Continuous Tense

(also called the Present Progressive Tense)

(Click here if you'd prefer to learn how to USE this tense)

Here is how we make the positive:

Positive Positive Short Form

Negative Negative Short Form

Mixed Exercise 1 (includes positive, negative, and questions)

Present Continuous Use

 I'm working at the moment.

 I work in a school. (I think this is a permanent situation.)

 He's eating a lot these days.

 You're forever losing your keys!

 I'm meeting my father tomorrow.

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