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 | |
---|---|
Especially while your winter clothes are taking up all the space. | 더구나 네 겨울 옷이 자리를 다 차지하잖아. |
She said lots of things, which one are you talking about? | 말한 게 워낙 많아서, 어느 말 한 거 말이야? |
Yeah, but stupidly, you're wearing it on the wrong hand... | 응, 근데 바보같이 반대편 손에 끼고 있잖아... |
I'm getting a bit hungry. | 살짝 배고프려고 하는데. |
I think you are just trying to change the subject! | 그냥 말하던 주제를 바꾸려는 거 같은데! |
I think we are running a bit late for our next appointment! | 저희 이 다음 약속에 약간 늦을 것 같은데요! |
Umm, okay, but what are we betting? | 음, 좋아, 뭘 걸려고? |
They are both older than me and living in Australia. | 언니 둘인데 둘다 호주에 살아. |
Are you laughing or listening, dear? | 자기는 내 말을 듣는 거야, 그냥 웃는 거야? |
Oh, sorry, we are going to China Town. | 아, 미안. 차이나타운에 가려구. |
I'm sitting at that corner cafe, having breakfast. | 모퉁이 카페에 앉아서 아침 먹고 있는데. |
Tiffany, how are you getting to Soho? | 티파니, 소호까지는 뭐 타고 갈 거야? |
Thanks, are you coming soon, what's Bear doing? | 고마운걸. 곧 돌아와? 베어는 뭐해? |
Yes, that's okay, I am not planning on waking up early, either. | 어, 그거 좋지, 나도 일찍 일어나려던 건 아니었어. |
Why are you trying to use wife in a sentence? | 문장에 '아내'는 왜 넣으려고 하는 거야? |
The best seafood restaurant in Brighton is near where we are going. | 브라이튼 최고의 해물 레스토랑이 우리 가는 데 근처에 있거든. |
Why are you tidying your room, is she coming back? | 방 청소는 왜 하는 거야, 다시 돌아온대? |
Are you trying to protect her now? | 이제 그 사람 감싸겠다는 거야? |
Why are you making me carry everything back and forth 500 times, then? | 그럼 왜 집안 물건을 죄다 500번씩 이쪽저쪽 옮기게 만드는 건데? |
Who is calling again, please? | 이름이 뭐라고 했죠? |