The present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening at or around the present moment, as well as temporary situations. It is formed by using the present form of the verb "to be" (am, are, is) plus the present participle form of the main verb ending in "-ing". Some examples of its use include "Now I'm doing the washing up" to describe a current action and "I'm staying with a friend at the moment" to describe a temporary situation.

1. The Present
Continuous Tense
Use and form

2. The Present Continuous Tense
is used for
1. Actions which are happening at or
around the moment of speaking.
• Now I’m doing the washing up.
• She is working very hard
nowadays.
2. Temporary situations.
• I’m staying with a friend at the
moment.

3. ACTIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING
AT PRESENT (1)
They are dancing right now.

4. What is she doing?
She is reading a book.

5. TEMPORARY SITUATIONS (2)
They normally play tennis.
But this week they are skating.

6. I’m painting my flat this week.

7. Form – am, are, is + ing form
• Affirmative
I am sleeping.
He/she/it is sleeping.
You/we/they are sleeping.
• Negative
I ’m not singing.
He/she/it isn’t singing.
You/we/they aren’t singing.
am, is, are + ing form

8. Form - continued
• Interrogative
Am I dreaming?
Is he/she/it dreaming?
Are you/we/they dreaming?
• Short answers
Yes, I am/he is/we are…
No, I’m not/he isn’t/we aren’t…

9. VERB + ing (spelling rules)
listen + ing = listening
die (-iey) + ing = dying
write + ing = writing
hop + p + ing = hopping
travel + l + ing = travelling

10. TIME EXPRESSIONS
now, right now, at the moment, today,
nowadays, this week…
They are throwing snowballs now