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 is calling again, please? | Tekrardan kiminle görüşüyorum acaba? |
No, I'm living in a shared house, with the landlords. | Hayır, ev sahipleriyle birlikte paylaşımlı bir evde paylaşıyorum. |
Okay, I'm following you. | Tamam, seni takip ediyorum. |
Are you looking for this bag, my friend? | Bu çantayı mı arıyorsun arkadaşım? |
Okay then, are we taking a bus? | Tamam o zaman, otobüse mi biniyoruz? |
Is your friend's sister definitely coming? | Arkadaşının kız kardeşi kesin geliyor mu? |
No, but I'm checking it on the internet now. | Hayır, ama şimdi internetten bakıyorum. |
How is your rice going? | Senin pirinç ne durumda? |
It seems I’m already running a bit late. | Zaten şimdiden biraz geç kalıyorum gibi görünüyor. |
Why are you tidying your room, is she coming back? | Odanı niye topluyorsun, kız geri mi gelecek? |
Don't you think you are exaggerating? | Abarttığını düşünmüyor musun? |
You are lying! | Yalan söylüyorsun! |
It's okay, I just called to ask what we are doing this evening. | Sorun değil, bu akşam n'apıyoruz diye aramıştım. |
Why are you trying to use wife in a sentence? | Neden karım kelimesini cümle içinde kullanmaya çalışıyorsun? |
But for now, I'm just looking for places around 600-ish. | Ama şimdilik sadece 600 civarı bir yerler arıyorum. |
Erm, about 2 or 3 years, why are you asking? | Eee, aşağı yukarı 2-3 sene, neden sordun? |
He has Alzheimer's, and it's getting worse day by day. | Alzheimer'ı var ve gün geçtikçe kötüye gidiyor. |
You know who we are talking about. | Kimden bahsettiğimizi biliyorsun. |
Erm, alright, maybe you are right, I'm overreacting a bit. | Emm, peki, belki de haklısın, biraz fazla tepki gösteriyorum. |
Yes, that's what I am asking! | Evet, onu soruyorum! |