The present continuous tense, also known as the “-ing” form of the present tense, is very useful for talking about actions happening right now or around this moment. In this lesson, we will learn how to form the present continuous tense, see examples in positive, negative, and question forms, and even carry out some quizzes to test your understanding. Let’s get started!
What Is the Present Continuous Tense?
The present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking. It is made by combining the verb to be (am, are, is) with another verb that ends in –ing.
How It Works:
- Structure:
Subject + be (am/are/is) + verb + ing
This structure tells us that the action is in progress now. For example, if you are reading a book at this moment, you say:
I am reading.
Forms of the Present Continuous Tense
1. Positive Form (+)
When you want to say that something is happening, you use the positive form:
| Subject | Be (Present) | Verb + ing |
|---|---|---|
| I | am | reading |
| You | are | reading |
| He | is | reading |
| She | is | reading |
| We | are | reading |
| You | are | reading |
| They | are | reading |
Examples:
- I am reading.
- They are reading.
2. Negative Form (-)
To say that an action is not happening, you add not after the verb to be:
| Subject | Be (Present) + not | Verb + ing |
|---|---|---|
| I | am not | reading |
| You | are not | reading |
| He | is not | reading |
| She | is not | reading |
| We | are not | reading |
| You | are not | reading |
| They | are not | reading |
Examples:
- I am not reading.
- He is not reading.
3. Question Form (?)
To ask if something is happening, invert the subject and the form of to be:
| Be (Present) | Subject | Verb + ing? |
|---|---|---|
| Am | I | reading? |
| Are | you | reading? |
| Is | he | reading? |
| Is | she | reading? |
| Are | we | reading? |
| Are | you | reading? |
| Are | they | reading? |
Examples:
- Am I reading?
- Is she reading?
Try to answer them yourself and check your answers!
- Complete the Sentence:
- “She ___ (to be) playing the piano.”
Answer: She is playing the piano.
- “She ___ (to be) playing the piano.”
- Change to Negative:
- “We are studying.” → Change to negative.
Answer: We are not studying.
- “We are studying.” → Change to negative.
- Form a Question:
- “They are watching a movie.” → Form a question.
Answer: Are they watching a movie?
- “They are watching a movie.” → Form a question.
- Fill in the Blank:
- “I ___ (to be) working on my project right now.”
Answer: I am working on my project right now.
- “I ___ (to be) working on my project right now.”
Listening to Grammar
You can Press play to read and listen:
Look at the change in these sentences.
I am going → I’m going
I am messaging → I’m messaging
He is not going → He isn’t going
She is studying → She’s studying
The soldier is talking → The soldier’s talking
They are practicing → They’re practicing
Try It Yourself!
Now it’s your turn to practice using the present continuous tense. Write a few sentences about what you or someone else is doing right now. For example:
- I am writing an article.
- My friends are studying for their exams.
Exercise: Test your understanding of this English lesson
You can test your understanding of the Present Continuous Tense by answering these 20 questions. You will get the answers and your score at the end of the quiz.
Choose the correct option:
Time for a Discussion
To practice even more, think about this question:
What book are you reading at the moment? What is it like?
Type your answer in the comments box below. This discussion will help you use the present continuous tense in real conversation while sharing your thoughts.
