We will discover in this article how and when to use the present continuous ( progressive present ) in English.
If you are beginning to learn English , I suggest you read the article that explains when and how to use the present continuous in English. Formation of the present continuous.
What is progressive present?
Everything seems simple: the current continuous time is applied when the action takes place now. But there are some nuances that we now consider.
Present continuous time rules
- The verbs that end in -e, release the -e and take the -ing
danc e – danc ing .
MAK e – MAK ing
written e – self ing
remember, but e – se eing
- Verbs that end in an accented vowel between two consonants , double the last consonant and take the -ing suffix.
run – ru nning
get – ge tting
cut – cu tting
of swimming – SWI Mming
stop – sto pping
remember, but open – open ING
- The verbs end in -l, double -l and take the -ing suffix.
travel – full travel
- The verbs end in – that is, release -ie and take -y + -ing.
l ie – l ying
d ie – d ying
Use present continuous
1. I’m doing something right now.
That is, the moment I talk about it.
I am in the process of doing what, and the action is not over.
For example
I’m leaving
I’m reading
I’m working
And all this I do NOW! I mean, I started doing something, I continue at this moment and I still have not finished. The process is under way! Everything is clear and simple.
2. I’m doing something now, but not now.
I mean I’m not doing something while I’m talking, but the action is in process.
For example
I am learning English because I like to visit Great Britain.
Now I am learning English because I would like to visit the United Kingdom.
I mean I do not learn English during a conversation, but now, now. I am in the process of learning, and this process is not yet complete.
3. I am doing something in the period close to the present. Not quite now, but not far from that.
Say: today, or tonight, or this week.
For example
I’m going to the movies this weekend.
On weekends I go to the cinema.
Current continuous structure
The structure of the present continuous is very simple.
The present continuous is formed from the verb to be, conjugated with the simple present and the verb that expresses the action followed by the suffix -ing. Example: I am writing now.
We often use a contracted form of the personal pronoun and the verb to say: I am, you, he, she, she, we, are.
+ How to make the present affirmative
The formula for making a present continuous affimative is: Subject + to be + verb (ing) + Complement.
| subject | to be | verb (ing) | complement |
| I | A.M | playing | now |
| you | are | cooking | the dinner |
| I have | is | sleeping | |
| she | is | cleaning | the room now |
| Item | is | working | alone |
| we | are | fixing | the machine |
| you | are | running | in the park |
| they | are | waiting | for you |
+ How to Make the Present Continuous Negative
The formula for making a present continuous negative is: Subject + to be + not + verb (ing) + complement. You can also use the contraction is not – are not.
| subject | to be | not | verb (ing) | complement |
| I | A.M | not | playing | now |
| you | are | not | cooking | the dinner |
| I have | is | not | sleeping | |
| she | is | not | cleaning | the room now |
| Item | is | not | working | |
| we | are | not | fixing | the machine |
| you | are | not | running | in the park |
| they | are | not | waiting | for you |
+ How to Make the Present Continuous Questions
The formula for making a Present Continuous Questions is: to be + Subject + verb (ing) + complement.
| to be | subject | verb (ing) | complement |
| A.M | I | playing | now |
| are | you | cooking | the dinner |
| is | I have | sleeping | |
| is | she | cleaning | the room now |
| is | Item | working | |
| are | we | fixing | the machine |
| are | you | running | in the park |
| are | they | waiting | for you |
Auxiliary words Present Continuous
Normally, when using Present Continuous , the following phrases are used:
now / just now / right now / at the moment / this week / this month / this year
20 sentences of present continuous tense
- It is raining heavily.
- I am getting up late.
- He is reading in bed.
- She is going to school on foot.
- I am visiting Algeria.
- She is selling her old book.
- He is playing in Real Madrid.
- They are repairing the car.
- He is working in France.
- She is swimming well.
- The teacher is explaining the lesson.
- What are you doing? Can not you see I am waiting for you!
- They are leaving for Paris in August.
- We are moving in September.
- Look, it is raining.
- I am studying now.
- I am studying with María.
- Mary is writing a lette
- John is eating bread
- I am studying Spanish
Present Continuous tense Worksheet
Present Progressive – Worksheets