EFL/ESL Grammar: English tenses
How to use present continuous tense in English
what is the present continuous?
The present continuous is used to talk about actions that happen in the moment of speaking. These actions might have started in the past and may continue to a certain point in the future. But, the most important thing is that the action is taking place at the moment of speaking. 
Example: I’m reading a book now
The grammatical structure of the present continuous tense:
| Subject + verb to be (am/are/is) + verb +ing |
The use of present continuous:
- Present continuous describes actions that are happening right now
Examples:
- I’m listening to music.
- I’m doing my homework now.
- You are watching
- Present continuous describes actions that will happen in the near future.
Examples:
- I’m not coming
- She is traveling to Turkey.
- To talk about temporary habits.
Examples:
- She is eating so much these days.
- I’m practicing sports these days.
- They are learning Germany these weeks.
Forms of the present continuous tense:
The affirmative form of the present continuous |
| I’m learning English You are learning English He is learning English She is learning English We are learning English You are learning English They are learning English |
The negative form of the present continuous |
| I’m not learning English You are not learning English He is not learning English She is not learning English We are not learning English You are not learning English They are not learning English |
The interrogative form of the present continuous |
| Am I learning English? Are you learning English? Is he learning English? Is she learning English? Are we learning English? Are you learning English? Are they learning English? |
Note:
- “You aren’t learning” is the short form of “you are not learning”.
- To express negation with present continuous, we add (not) after the verb to be.
- To express interrogation, we invert the auxiliary with the subject (I’m speaking becomes am I speaking).
Examples:
- I’m driving my car right now.
- I’m chatting with my friends at this moment.
- Am I singing?
- I’m not writing anything now.
- He is drawing a picture of his father.
- Is she sleeping right now?
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