Learn English Free and Fast - The Present Continuous Tense

Present Continuous

The Present Continuous Tense

When we talk about events that are actually happening now, we use the present continuous tense.

Statements +	Statements -	Questions	Short answer +	Short answer -
I'm working.	I'm not working.	Am I working?	Yes, I am.	No, I'm not.
He's working.	He isn't working.	Is he working?	Yes, he is.	No, he isn't.
She's working.	She isn't working.	Is she working?	Yes, she is.	No, she isn't.
It's working.	It isn't working.	Is it working?	Yes, it is.	No, it isn't.
You're working.	You aren'tt working.	Are you working?	Yes you are.	No, you aren't.
We're working.	We aren't working.	Are we working?	Yes we are.	No, we aren't.
They're working.	They aren't working.	Are they working?	Yes they are.	No, they aren't.

We often use the present continuous tense in English. It is very different from the simple present tense, both in structure and in use.

Present Continuous Timeline

For example:

Q) "What are you doing?" A) "I'm building a website."

We also use the present continuous tense to talk about things that are happening around now but are temporary.

For example:

Q) "What are you doing these days?" A) "Unfortunately I'm working a lot."

It is also used to describe trends or situations that are happening but may be temporary.

For example:

"Nowadays more and more people are shopping on the Internet."

...and habitual actions (usually negative).

For example:

"He's always cleaning his car."

The present continuous tense can also be used to discuss future events:

Note:-

The present continuous is usually used with doing verbs (verbs of action) not with verbs of state. The following verbs are not used in the continuous form:-

Conditions: belong, cost, need, own, seem

Feelings: like, love, hate, want, wish

Beliefs: believe, feel, know, mean, remember, think, understand