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 | |
---|---|
Yeah, but stupidly, you're wearing it on the wrong hand... | Ja, aber dummerweise trägst du ihn an der falschen Hand... |
Okay, I'm leaving my bag here. | Okay, ich lasse meine Tasche hier. |
Girls, we are planning on getting something to eat from the shop. | Mädels, wir haben vor, uns von dem Laden etwas zu essen zu holen. |
Alright, sorry, my phone is ringing! | In Ordnung. Entschuldige, mein Telefon klingelt! |
Nope, I'm still looking... | Nein, ich schaue immer noch... |
Yeah, go on, ask the question dear, I'm waiting. | Ja Schatz, nur zu, stell die Frage. Ich warte. |
The old lady's curse is following you, dear! | Der Fluch der alten Dame verfolgt dich meine Liebe! |
And one of them is asking for £5,000 deposit. | Und bei einem Haus wird £5000 als Kaution verlangt. |
What 500 times? Aren't you overexaggerating? | Wie 500 Mal? Übertreibst du nicht? |
Don't you think you are exaggerating? | Denkst du nicht, dass du übertreibst? |
We are planning to share it. | Wir wollen ihn teilen. |
Sorry, are you asking to set up another meeting? | Sorry, bittest du mich, ein weiteres Treffen zu vereinbaren? |
OK sorry, waiting for ur call :) | Okay, sorry, ich warte auf deinen Anruf :) |
Hello mate, I can't believe I'm seeing you here! | Hallo Kumpel, ich kann nicht glauben, dass ich dich hier sehe! |
Okay, I'm following you. | Okay, ich folge dir. |
Okay, since we are moving my desk back to the window side... | Okay, da wir meinen Tisch zurück zum Fenster schieben... |
Alright, so I'm leaving now. | Okay, ich gehe dann. |
Are they asking for sh*tloads of money as a deposit, also? | Verlangen sie auch eine Menge Geld für die Kaution? |
Excuse me, we are trying to find this rice. | Entschuldigung, wir versuchen diesen Reis zu finden. |
Why are you trying to use wife in a sentence? | Warum versuchst du Frau in einem Satz zu verwenden? |