What is present continuous tense

The present continuous tense, also known as the present progressive tense, is used to describe actions or events that are currently happening at the moment of speaking or actions that are ongoing. It can also describe future plans or events that are already decided or arranged.

Structure

Subject + am, is, are + base verb + -ing.

Actions that are happening now

We use present continuous tense to describe events that are happening at the moment of speaking. For example

I am walking to the mall. - The action "walking" is happening while the speaker is speaking.
It is raining.
It is not raining. - The rain is not falling from the sky at the moment, even though the ground may stil be wet after the rain.

Tips

We often hear present continuous with verb to be (base form of verb to be, not is, am, are) to describe a person acting in an unsual way. For example:
- Jim is being very inconsiderate. - This means that Jim is normally a thoughtful, and considerate person.

Ongoing situations

We can also use present continuous tense to describe ongoing actions, even though it is not happing at the moment of speaking. For example

She is studying medicine. - At the moment, she may not be sitting in the classroom, or listening to a lecturer, but we know that she will become a doctor after she graduates.
She is not studying medicine. - This is an example of a negative sentence. We know this means the person is studying sometime else, and not that the person is not in the classroom.
I am reading Pride and Prejudice right now. - The sentence can describe an action (I am reading a book, flicking through pages right now), or an ongoing event (I started reading the book and in the process of reading, even though I am not holding a book, reading, right now).

Tips

We can also use the verb "getting" to describe trends and changing situations. For example:
- The climate is getting warmer. - This might be said in the winter when it's nice and cold, but the weather is getting hotter in general.
- Everything is getting more expensive.

Future plans

The present continuous tense can be used to describe future plans or events that are already decided or arranged. This usage typically involves actions that have a definite time or place in the future, suggesting a level of certainty or prearrangement.

We are meeting them tomorrow.
She is flying to New York next week.
I am seeing the doctor at 4 PM.
They are not having a party this Saturday.
He is starting his new job next month.

Notice that in the example, the speaker include the time expressions, such as "tomorrow," "next week," "on Saturday," "in two days," etc.

Comparing with "going to" future

While the present continuous tense is used for planned or arranged events, "going to" is another way to express future intentions or plans. However, "going to" emphasizes the intention or decision rather than the arrangement.

- I am meeting John tomorrow. - The meeting is arranged.
- I am going to meet John tomorrow. - The speaker intends to meet John, but it might not be formally arranged yet.

Practice questions

Form present continuous sentences from given keywords.

What is present continuous tense

What is present continuous tense

Actions that are happening now

Ongoing situations

Future plans

Practice questions

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