Present Continuous Tense

English Grammar

Present Continuous Tense

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When we talk about events that are actually happening now, we use the present continuous tense. This is formed by using the stem of the verb and adding -ing to the end, for example the verb "work" becomes "working". In some cases you need to alter the spelling a bit for example the verb "die" becomes "dying".

Statements +	Statements -	Questions	Short answer +	Short answer -
I'm working.	I'm not working.	Am I working?	Yes, I am.	No, I'm not.
He's working.	He isn't working.	Is he working?	Yes, he is.	No, he isn't.
She's working.	She isn't working.	Is she working?	Yes, she is.	No, she isn't.
It's working.	It isn't working.	Is it working?	Yes, it is.	No, it isn't.
You're working.	You aren'tt working.	Are you working?	Yes you are.	No, you aren't.
We're working.	We aren't working.	Are we working?	Yes we are.	No, we aren't.
They're working.	They aren't working.	Are they working?	Yes they are.	No, they aren't.

Present Continuous Timeline

For example:

Q) "What are you doing?" A) "I'm building a website."

We also use the present continuous tense to talk about things that are happening around now but are temporary.

For example:

Q) "What are you doing these days?" A) "Unfortunately I'm working a lot."

It is also used to describe trends or situations that are happening but may be temporary.

For example:

"Nowadays more and more people are shopping on the Internet."

...and habitual actions (usually negative).

For example:

"He's always cleaning his car."

The present continuous tense can also be used to discuss future events:

Note:-

The present continuous is usually used with doing verbs (verbs of action) not with verbs of state. The following verbs are notused in the continuous form:-

Conditions: belong, cost, need, own, seem Feelings: like, love, hate, want, wish Beliefs: believe, feel, know, mean, remember, think, understand