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 | |
---|---|
But for now, I'm just looking for places around 600-ish. | Pero por ahora, sólo estoy buscando opciones que estén cerca de 600. |
When are you finishing today? | ¿Cuándo terminas hoy? |
Okay, how long are you working for today? | Vale, ¿cuánto vas a trabajar hoy? |
They are both older than me and living in Australia. | Son mayores que yo y viven en Australia. |
Okay, I'm following you. | Está bien, te sigo. |
So you are coming! | ¡Así que si vendrás! |
Don't you think you are exaggerating? | ¿No crees que estás exagerando? |
Needless to say, I'm joking. | No hace falta decir que estoy bromeando. |
I guess you are not living here with your family. | Supongo que no vives aquí con tu familia. |
Helloooo girls, I hope you are enjoying yourselves. | Holaaaaa chicas, espero que la estén pasando bien. |
We are thinking about taking a bus from this stop. | Estamos pensando en tomar un autobús desde esta estación. |
You are lying! | ¡Estás mintiendo! |
Fine, I've found the number, calling them now. | Bien, ya encontré el número, le estoy llamando ahora. |
Hello, am I speaking to Mr. Jones? | Hola, ¿estoy hablando con el Sr. Jones? |
Are you planning on changing it? | ¿Y está pensando en cambiarla? |
If you say so!... I'm taking the kids to the garden. | ¡Si tú lo dices!... Llevaré a los niños al jardín. |
Tiffany, how are you getting to Soho? | Tiffany, ¿cómo llegarán a Soho? |
Yes, I am coming! | ¡Sí, iré! |
What 500 times? Aren't you overexaggerating? | ¿500 veces? ¿No estás exagerando? |
It seems I’m already running a bit late. | Parece que ya se me hizo un poco tarde. |