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Present Continuous Tense

December 17, 2013 by Bret Tutor

Present Continuous Tense

Present Continuous Tense Woman Talking On Phone

How Do We Create The Present Continuous Tense?

subject + auxiliary verb + main verb
be base + ing

Look at these examples:

subject
auxiliary verb
main verb
+ I am helping them.
+ They are eating sushi.
– She is not leaving the hotel.
– I am not sleeping on the couch.
? Is(auxiliary verb) she(subject) playing games?
? Are(auxiliary verb) we(subject) working tomorrow?

How Do We Use The Present Continuous Tense?

We use the present continuous tense to discuss:

  • Action happening now or around the current time.
  • Action which will take place in the future.

Action Happening Now

1. For an action happening now.

I am playing a video  game.
past present  future
 __________________
The action is happening now.

2. For any action happening around the current time. The action must happen shortly before or shortly after now. It is not a habit or something that will happen constantly.

Richard is going out with Jane.
past present  future 
_________________  _________________  _________________
The action is happening around now.

Look at these examples:

  • She is programming a new website.
  • I am leaving for Paris with my sister.

For An Action In The Future

If we add a future word, we can use the present continuous tense to discuss the future. This word must be understood from the context of the situation. Tomorrow, next week, in August, and on Halloween, are all examples of future present continuous words. We need to have had prior plans for the event as well.

I am taking the TOEFL next year.
past present  future
 ___________  ___________
There is a prior plan for the future. The action will take place in the future.

Look at these examples:

  • We are singing in a concert tonight.
  • We have already been practicing. They are coming tomorrow since they are not busy.
  • When are you going to the club?

In these examples, there is already prior planning to do something, which was made before the person spoke, and is not spontaneous.

[slickquiz id=3]

Filed Under: Tenses Tagged With: Grammar, Present Continuous Tense, Tenses

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