In English we use the present continuous tense to talk about things that are happening right now or around now, for temporary situations and to describe changes. Another reason to use present continuous is for definite future arrangements. We usually know exactly when the arrangements are happening and they are often the type of arrangements we can write in a diary. There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of the event, and that some preparation has already happened. In English we often use time phrases such as now, at the moment, at this time, currently, today and this week with the present continuous.
Notes for use of present continuous :
It is not possible to use state verbs in continuous forms. State verbs are generally those which relate to thoughts, senses, emotions, relationships, states of being and measurements such as like, love, hate, own, know, contain, believe and understand. Only action verbs can be used in the present continuous.
Generally, we take the infinitive of the verb and simply add '-ing' to make the continuous form. For example;
work --> working
go --> going
cook --> cooking
study --> studying
listen --> listening
If the verb ends in 'e', we drop the 'e' before adding '-ing'. For example;
come --> coming
take --> taking
phone --> phoning
If the verb ends in a vowel + consonant, we double the last consonant. For example;
swim --> swimming
sit --> sitting
plan --> planning
If the verb has more than one syllable, we double the consonant at the end only if the last syllable is stressed. For example;
prefer --> preferring
begin --> beginning
regret --> regretting
If the last syllable of a verb is not stressed, we do not double the last consonant. For example;
visit --> visiting
happen --> happening
develop --> developing
In British English, verbs ending in 'l' double the 'l' before '-ing' whether the last syllable is stressed or not. For example;
travel --> travelling
cancel --> cancelling
If the verb ends in a 'y' or a 'w', we do not double it when we add '-ing'. For example;
stay --> staying
play --> playing
sew --> sewing
We do not double the consonant if the verb has two vowels before the last consonant. For example;
boil --> boiling
explain --> explaining
In English we also do not double the consonant if the verb ends in two consonants. For example;
help --> helping
start --> starting
The table below shows the different forms of present continuous :
Example Verb : Go | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
Positive | I'm going ... | ...'re going ... | ...'s going ... |
Negative | I'm not going ... | ... aren't going ... | ... isn't going ... |
Questions | Am I going ...? | Are ... going ...? | Is ... going ...? |
Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Continuous Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Continuous:
Negative Examples of Present Continuous :
Question Examples of Present Continuous :
In English we also use the present continuous with 'always' to indicate the action we are describing is annoying for us because it is done too often.
Examples of Present Continuous with Always:
Present continuous example sentences | |
---|---|
Who says I'm coming home? | 家に帰るって誰が言った? |
Are you going really early in the morning? | 明日の朝は本当に早いの? |
Okay, are you calling the Camden ones? | そうだね。君はカムデンの方にかけるの? |
Helloooo girls, I hope you are enjoying yourselves. | こんにちは、女性の皆さん。楽しんでいるといいんだけど。 |
Are you trying to protect her now? | あなた今、彼女をかばおうとしてるの? |
Why are you trying to use wife in a sentence? | どうして妻なんて言おうとするのよ? |
What 500 times? Aren't you overexaggerating? | 500 往復? 大げさに言いすぎじゃない? |
How is your rice going? | 君のお米はどんな感じだい? |
Fine, I've found the number, calling them now. | ええ。番号を見つけたから、今電話をかけてるわ。 |
When are you finishing today? | 今日はいつ終わる? |
Are they asking for sh*tloads of money as a deposit, also? | 敷金もべらぼうに高いのかい? |
What old lady are you talking about? | おばあさんって誰のこと? |
What are you doi... | なんてあなたはバッ... |
I'm sitting at that corner cafe, having breakfast. | 今カフェに座って朝ご飯食べてるよ。 |
But I don't think I'm being aggressive!!! | でも私が攻撃的だとは思わないわ!!! |
Excuse me!? Can you explain why I am being stupid now? | なんだって⁉ どうして僕がバカだなんて思うのさ? |
Don't you think you are exaggerating? | 大げさだと思わない? |
Needless to say, I'm joking. | 言うまでもなく、冗談だけどね。 |
Oh, sorry, we are going to China Town. | そうね、ごめんなさい。中華街に行くつもりよ。 |
Girls, we are planning on getting something to eat from the shop. | みんな、店で何か食べるものを買おうと思うの。 |