This document provides information about the present continuous tense in English. It discusses how the present continuous tense is used to describe: 1) Actions happening at or around the moment of speaking 2) Temporary situations 3) Changing or developing situations 4) Fixed arrangements that will occur in the near future. Examples are given for each use of the present continuous tense.

1. THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
At the moment I’m playing football.
play

2. THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
I am
‘m
playing
You
We
They
are
‘re
He
She
It
is
‘s
AFFIRMATIVE: Play

3. THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
Is he playing football at the
moment?
No, he isn’t. He is running.

4. THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
INTERROGATIVE: Play NEGATIVE: Play
Am I
playing?Are
you
we
they
Is
he
she
it
I
am not
‘m not
playing
You
We
They
are not
aren’t
He
She
It
is not
isn’t

5. WHAT IS SHE DOING?
draw
She is drawing a picture at
the moment

6. WHAT IS TWEETY
DOING?
IT’S FLYING

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

8. Make –ing forms of each verb given.
begin
rub
listen
lie
swim
study
happen
get
use
admit
try
decide
come
put

9. –ing forms
beginning
rubbing
listening
lying
swimming
studying
happening
getting
using
admitting
trying
deciding
coming
putting

10. 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.

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

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

13. The Present Continuous Tense
is used for
3. Changing or developing situations.
• His English is getting better.
• It’s getting colder.
4. Fixed arrangements in the near
future.
• They are getting married next week.

14. CHANGING SITUATIONS (3)
Yesterday it was very sunny.
Today it’s raining more and more.

15. FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS (4)
They are celebrating a party next weekend.

16. THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
TIME EXPRESSIONS:
Now, at the moment, today, nowdays, this week.
They are throwing snowballs
now