Simple Present Continous Tense

Present Continuous Tense

 USE 1 Now

Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something ishappening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that somethingis not happening now.

Examples:

• You are learning English now.
• You are not swimming now.
• Are you sleeping?
• I am sitting.
• I am not standing.
• Is he sitting or standing?
• They are reading their books.
• They are not watching television.
• What are you doing?
• Why aren't you doing your homework?

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

InEnglish, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year,this century, and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say thatwe are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however,we might not be doing it at this exact second.

Examples: (All of these sentences can be saidwhile eating dinner in a restaurant.)

• I am studying to become a doctor.
• I am not studying to become a dentist.
• I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
• I am not reading any books right now.
• Are you working on any special projects at work?
• Aren't you teaching at the university now?

USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes,speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will nothappen in the near future.

Examples:

• I am meeting some friends after work.
• I am not going to the party tonight.
• Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
• Isn't he coming with us tonight?

USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with"Always"

ThePresent Continuous with words such as "always" or"constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shockingoften happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present,but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or"constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."

Examples:

• She is always coming to class late.
• He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
• I don't like them because they are always complaining.

Positive Sentence
    • Subject + auxiliary verb + mainverb-ing (Present participle) + object
    • Subject + am/is/are + (1st form ofverb or base verb + ing) + object

If the subject is “I” then auxiliary verb “am”is used after subject in sentence.
If the subject is “He, She, It, singular or proper name” then auxiliary verb“is” is used after subject in sentence.
If subject is “You, They or plural” then auxiliary verb“are” is used after subject in sentence.
The participle “ing” is added to the 1st form of verb i.e. going (go)writing (write)

Examples
        I am playing cricket.
        He is driving a car
        They are reading their lessons.

Negative Sentence
      • Subject + auxiliary verb+ not + main verb-ing (Present participle) + object
      • Subject + am/is/are + not +(1st form of verb + ing) + object

Rules for using auxiliary verbs (am or is or are)after subject in negative sentences are same as mentionedabove. 

Examples.
         I am not playing cricket.
         He is not driving a car
         They are not readingtheir lessons.

Interrogative Sentences

      • Auxiliary verb + Subject +main verb-ing (Present participle) + object
      • Am/is/are + Subject + (1st form ofverb or base verb + ing) + object

For making interrogative sentences, the sentence is startedwith auxiliary verb rather than putting auxiliary verbinside the sentence. If the subject is “I” the sentence starts with auxiliary verb“am”. If the subject is “He, She, It, singular or proper name” thesentence starts with auxiliary verb “is”. If subject is“You, They or plural” the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “are”.

Examples.
          Am I playing cricket?
          Is he driving a car?
         Are they reading their lessons?

More Examples

Positive Sentences
           I amlistening to the news
           You arewashing your clothes
           She is ridingon horse
           They areplaying football.
           It is raining

Negative Sentence
          I am not listening to the news.
          You are not washing your clothes.
          She is not riding on a horse.
          They are not playing football.
          It is not raining.

Interrogative Sentences
         Am I listening to the news?
         Are you washing your clothes?
         Is she riding on a horse?
         Are they playing football?
         Is it raining?