Present Continuous

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We use the Present Continuous (Progressive) tense when talking about actions that are happening at the moment (present or temporary activity) or which will be done in the future (future arrangement).

In order to formsentences in it this tense, you will have to know:

the proper conjugation of the auxiliary verb to be.

	Singular	Plural
1st person	I am	We are
2nd person	You are	You are
3rd person	He/she/it is	They are

the "-ing" form of a verb (Present participle)

How do you create it?

try + ing = trying
go +ing = going

Simple? Unfortunately there are some exceptions, such as:

- doubled letter
In these examples we can see that one of the letters is doubled.
swim + ing = swimming
run + ing = running
get + ing = getting

- e removed
if a verb ends with -e, it loses the last letter before adding the -ing suffix.
write + ing = writing
move + ing = moving

Use

Present or temporary activities
Future (personal) arrangements

Mike is preparing to eat his big chicken

USE 2 (future arrangements) might seem a little confusing to an ESL learner because it's completely different from USE 1. That's why ESL learners tend make a lot of mistakes in the beginning; one of the most common one is using the Future Simple to express the future arrangements while it is the Present Continuous or going to that should be used.

I'm going to go to my grandma.
I'm going abroad this summer (in both sentences the speaker is speaking about plans)

I will go to my grandma (the speaker decided to go there in the moment of speaking)

Form

In positive sentences:

Subject	+	Auxiliary verb	+	Verb + ing
I/a dog etc.	+	is/are	+	going/taking

Examples		Use
	He is getting married this month	(Use 2)
	They are swimming in the sea	(Use 1)
	I'm having my first driving lesson this week	(Use 2)
	I'm drinking hot coffee now	(Use 1)

I'm having a shower now (Use 1)

In questions:

Auxiliary verb	+	Subject	+	Verb + ing
is/are	+	I/a dog etc.	+	going/taking

Examples		Use
	Is she eating my cake now?	(Use 1)
	Are they having the party on Friday or Saturday?	(Use 2)
	Are you meeting David today?	(Use 2)
	Is Mary having breakfast now?	(Use 1)

In negative sentences:

Subject	+	Auxiliary verb+not	+	Verb + ing
I/a dog etc.	+	isn't/aren't	+	going/taking

Examples		Use
	He is not joking	(Use 1)
	We aren't waiting for my uncle	(Use 1)
	He is not going to school tomorrow	(Use 2)

Remember that you can also use the Present Continuous to show your irritation over something or somebody in the present. E.g. She is always asking me stupid questions.

Check your understanding!

Exercise 1 (forming; negative sentences)
Present Simple vs Present Continuous 1
Present Simple vs Present Continuous 4
Present Simple vs Present Continuous 5

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English Grammar:

Present Continuous

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