This document discusses the continuous (progressive) form of tenses in English. It provides examples of how to form and use the present continuous, past continuous, and future continuous tenses. The present continuous uses "be" plus the "-ing" form of the verb to show an ongoing action in the present. The past continuous is used to show an action that was ongoing in the past. And the future continuous shows an action that will be ongoing at a specific time in the future. Examples are given for each tense.

1. English Language Tenses
The Continuous Form Of Tense

2. Learning Objectives:
• Make sentences to indicate actions going on
at certain times in the past
• Make sentences to indicate actions currently
ongoing
• Make sentences to show actions that will be
ongoing at a specific time in future
• Contrast the simple form of tense with the
continuous form

3. Present Perfect Tense
S
T
A
R
T
E
R

4. The Continuous Form of Tense
The continuous tense shows an action
that is, was, or will be in progress at a
certain time.
The continuous tense is formed with
the verb ‘be’ + -ing form of the verb.

5. The Present Progressive Tense
Also called The Present continuous
Tense, it can be used to show an action which
is happening at the time of speaking.
It takes the form;
Subject + Present tense form of ‘be’ (am, is,
are) + ing verb
e.g
I am having dinner at the moment.
He/She is sleeping in her room
The are writing their examination right now.

6. Present Progressive Tense
Form
I am studying I'm studying
You are studying You're studying
S/he/it is studying S/he/it's studying
We are studying We're studying
They are studying They're studying

7. The Past Progressive Tense
Also called The Past continuous
Tense, it can be used to show an action
which was happening in the past.
It is important to remember that the Past
continuous is usually used to show an
action which was happening when another
action, which is usually shorter, happened
at the same time, stopped the continuous
action or started after the continuous
action.

8. Forms of the past continuous
I was writing on class yesterday.
S/he was playing the guitar when I called.
They were Dancing in class when I
entered.
We were watching a movie in the hall.
It takes the form;
Subject + Past tense form of ‘be’ ( was,
were) + ing verb

9. Future Progressive Tense
The Future continuous is used to show
that an action will be happening at a
time in the future.
It takes the form;
Subject + Future tense form of ‘be’ (will
be) + ing verb
e.g
I will be having dinner at my parents’
house tomorrow.

10. Plenary
Now, let’s complete the following sentences with
the correct continuous form of the verbs given
1. Have
He _________ a shower now. (Present
continuous)
He _________a shower when the phone rang.
(Past continuous)
He will be having a shower, so take the house
keys when you go out. (Future continuous)

11. 2. Watch
I ________ a really good film now.
(Present continuous)
I ________ a really good film when there
was a power cut. (Past continuous)
I ________ my favourite TV show when
you arrive tomorrow. (Future continuous)

12. 3. DO
I ______ my homework at the moment.
(Present continuous)
I ______ my homework all night. (Past
continuous)
I _______ my homework tonight.
(Future continuous)

13. The Simple and Continuous
Tense
AT A GLANCE

14. Overview of the English Verb Tense (Simple and Continuous)
Simple Continuous
(Be +
verb+ing)
Present * Simple
Present Tense
*Present
Continuous
Tense
Past *Simple Past
Tense
*Past
Continuous
Tense
Future *Simple Future
Tense
*Future
Continuous
Tense

15. October 2023
The End