THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE

The present continuous (also known as the present progressive) tense is made with the present simple tense of the auxiliary verb to be and the present participle (verb+ing) of the main verb.

The present continuous tense is used to express:

• An action that is in progress/going on at the time of speaking.

Example: We are learning English now.

• An action happening about this time (long duration).

Example: She is writing a new novel this month.

• A definite arrangement in the near future.

Example: I am meeting Alice at Kemang Café tonight.

• Developing situations.

Example: It’s getting dark.

Forms:

• Affirmative (Subject + is/am/are + verb1 + ing)

Example: I am eating now.

• Negative (Subject + is/am/are + not + verb1 + ing)

Example: They are not going to Jakarta.

• Question ( Is/Am/Are + subject + verb1 + ing ?)

Example: Is she doing her homework?

Adverbs of time:

now, right now, at this time/moment, at present, today, tonight, this week/month, and expression such as: look!, listen!, wait a minute!, be careful!

Verbs which are not normally used in the present continuous tense:

• Verbs of possession (have, possess, belong, own, owe)

• Verbs of mental activity (understand, forget, remember, know, agree, like, etc.)

• Verbs of senses (see, hear, smell, taste)

• Verbs of “be” . Example: I am busy NOT I am being busy.

• Verbs such as: “contain, consist, seem/look/appear”

DOWNLOAD LESSON
DOWNLOAD EXERCISE