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 | |
---|---|
I'm just trying to find the best arrangement for two people in the room. | 私はただ 2 人にとって一番いい配置を考えてるだけよ。 |
Thanks, are you coming soon, what's Bear doing? | ありがとよ、もうすぐ帰ってくるか、ベアはどうしてるんだ? |
Nope, I'm still looking... | ううん、まだ検索中よ… |
Are you seriously asking me that question? | あなた本当にそんな質問を私に聞いてるの? |
Okay, I'm leaving my bag here. | 分かった、バッグをここに置いておくね。 |
I'm just wearing my ring upside down. | 指輪を逆さまにつけてるだけさ。 |
Erm, can I smoke in the room again while I'm working? | いや、模様替えのあいだ、部屋でもう一本煙草を吸ってもいいかな? |
And one Tsingtao, I'm not sure if I'm pronouncing it correctly. | チンタオをお願いします。正しく発音できてるかしら。 |
Yeah, go on, ask the question dear, I'm waiting. | なによ。聞きたいことがあるなら言ってよ、あなた。ちゃんと聞くから。 |
Great! What are you doing tomorrow? | 素晴らしい!明日は何してるの? |
I can keep the window open while I'm smoking... | 喫煙中は窓を開けておくからさ… |
But I don't think I'm being aggressive!!! | でも私が攻撃的だとは思わないわ!!! |
Okay, I'm following you. | わかった、付いて行くよ。 |
Let's do it quickly, it's getting late. | 早くやりましょう、もう遅くなってきたわ。 |
But for now, I'm just looking for places around 600-ish. | でも今は、宿泊料 600 ぐらいの場所を探してるの。 |
I'm just calling about the house for rent in Angel. | エンジェルの賃貸物件のことてお電話してるだけでして。 |
What are you doi... | なんてあなたはバッ... |
Are they saying there is no table? | テーブルがないって言ってるのかい? |
Especially while your winter clothes are taking up all the space. | 特にあなたの冬物のコートなんてスペースを全部取ってしまうわ。 |
I'm getting a bit hungry. | お腹が少し空いたの。 |