ENGLISH GRAMMAR
PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE: formation and use
(example : to play / I am playing)
The present continuous tense of verbs in English is formed as follows:
| PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE | |||
| AFFIRMATIVE | NEGATIVE | INTERROGATIVE | |
| Long Form | Contracted Form | ||
| I am playing | I am not playing | I'm not playing | Am I playing? |
| You are playing | You are not playing | You're not playing | Are you playing? |
| He/she/it is playing | He/she/it is not playing | He/she/it isn't playing | Is he/she/it playing? |
| We are playing | We are not playing | We're not playing | Are we playing? |
| You are playing | You are not playing | You're not playing | Are you playing? |
| They are playing | They are not playing | They're not playing | Are they playing? |
The present continuous tense is used:
- To talk about continuous activities :
- At the time of speaking :
- "I am reading this page now."
- "I am using my computer."
- "Dad is out walking the dog at the moment." - Around now, in a more general sense :
- "I am learning English this year."
- "I am doing a computer course this term."
- “Mr. Strictman is replacing Mr Coolfellow this term.”
- At the time of speaking :
- To talk about planned future activities or
intentions:
- "Tom and Mary are coming for lunch tomorrow. They called to confirm."
- "I am spending my holidays in Australia this summer. I've booked my flight."
- "Sue and Pam are meeting for coffee tomorrow."
- "I'm having a birthday party on Saturday. I hope you'll be able to come.
- To talk about temporary activities :
- "I'm staying with Chloe while I look for a place of my own."
- "Harry is using his father's car while he's here."
- "I'm driving to work until the new train line opens."
See also: 'Be going to' for the future