Present Continuous

Definition

The Present Continuous Tense describes actions happening at the moment of speaking, temporary actions, or future plans.

Formula: Subject + am/is/are + Present Participle (V1 + ing) + Object

Tip: Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.

Uses of Present Continuous Tense

#	Use	Description	Examples
1	Actions happening now	Actions occurring at the moment of speaking.	I am reading a book. She is cooking lunch.
2	Temporary actions	Actions happening temporarily, not permanent.	They are staying in a hotel. He is working on a new project.
3	Future arrangements	Planned actions or appointments in the near future.	We are meeting the teacher tomorrow. She is traveling to London next week.

Sentence Structures

Subject + am/is/are + Present Participle (V1 + ing) + Object

1) I am playing football now.
2) She is reading a book at the moment.
3) They are traveling this week.

Subject + am/is/are not + Present Participle (V1 + ing) + Object

1) I am not playing football now.
2) He is not reading a book at the moment.
3) They are not traveling this week.

Am/Is/Are + Subject + Present Participle (V1 + ing) + Object?

1) Am I playing football now?
2) Is she reading a book at the moment?
3) Are they traveling this week?

Am/Is/Are + Subject + not + Present Participle (V1 + ing) + Object?

1) Am I not playing football now?
2) Isn’t she reading a book at the moment?
3) Aren’t they traveling this week?

Common Signal Words

Examples in Context