In English we use the present continuous tense to talk about things that are happening right now or around now, for temporary situations and to describe changes. Another reason to use present continuous is for definite future arrangements. We usually know exactly when the arrangements are happening and they are often the type of arrangements we can write in a diary. There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of the event, and that some preparation has already happened. In English we often use time phrases such as now, at the moment, at this time, currently, today and this week with the present continuous.
Notes for use of present continuous :
It is not possible to use state verbs in continuous forms. State verbs are generally those which relate to thoughts, senses, emotions, relationships, states of being and measurements such as like, love, hate, own, know, contain, believe and understand. Only action verbs can be used in the present continuous.
Generally, we take the infinitive of the verb and simply add '-ing' to make the continuous form. For example;
work --> working
go --> going
cook --> cooking
study --> studying
listen --> listening
If the verb ends in 'e', we drop the 'e' before adding '-ing'. For example;
come --> coming
take --> taking
phone --> phoning
If the verb ends in a vowel + consonant, we double the last consonant. For example;
swim --> swimming
sit --> sitting
plan --> planning
If the verb has more than one syllable, we double the consonant at the end only if the last syllable is stressed. For example;
prefer --> preferring
begin --> beginning
regret --> regretting
If the last syllable of a verb is not stressed, we do not double the last consonant. For example;
visit --> visiting
happen --> happening
develop --> developing
In British English, verbs ending in 'l' double the 'l' before '-ing' whether the last syllable is stressed or not. For example;
travel --> travelling
cancel --> cancelling
If the verb ends in a 'y' or a 'w', we do not double it when we add '-ing'. For example;
stay --> staying
play --> playing
sew --> sewing
We do not double the consonant if the verb has two vowels before the last consonant. For example;
boil --> boiling
explain --> explaining
In English we also do not double the consonant if the verb ends in two consonants. For example;
help --> helping
start --> starting
The table below shows the different forms of present continuous :
Example Verb : Go | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
Positive | I'm going ... | ...'re going ... | ...'s going ... |
Negative | I'm not going ... | ... aren't going ... | ... isn't going ... |
Questions | Am I going ...? | Are ... going ...? | Is ... going ...? |
Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Continuous Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Continuous:
Negative Examples of Present Continuous :
Question Examples of Present Continuous :
In English we also use the present continuous with 'always' to indicate the action we are describing is annoying for us because it is done too often.
Examples of Present Continuous with Always:
Present continuous example sentences | |
---|---|
Well, it depends on where you're going in Australia, actually. | Es kommt darauf an, wohin genau in Australien du willst. |
We are thinking about taking a bus from this stop. | Wir überlegen den Bus von dieser Station zu nehmen. |
I can keep the window open while I'm smoking... | Ich kann das Fenster offen lassen, während ich rauche... |
About who? Who are you talking about? | Über wen? Von wem redet ihr? |
What are you doi... | Was machst d... |
So you are coming! | Also kommst du mit! |
I think Pogo is getting less insecure now. | Ich denke Pogo ist jetzt nicht mehr so unsicher. |
Okay, since we are moving my desk back to the window side... | Okay, da wir meinen Tisch zurück zum Fenster schieben... |
Oh yes, how is her pregnancy going? | Oh ja, wie steht es um ihre Schwangerschaft? |
Erm, are you running late for work? | Hm, kommst du zu spät zur Arbeit? |
Yes, I can see you are not being aggressive in your eyes! | Ja, ich kann an deinen Augen sehen, dass du nicht aggressiv bist! |
Umm, okay, but what are we betting? | Ähm okay, aber um was wetten wir? |
Ha-ha-ha, sorry for laughing, but you're cracking me up! | Hahaha sorry für das Lachen, aber du bringst mich zum Lachen! |
Are you crying, dear? | Weinst du Schatz? |
It seems I’m already running a bit late. | Ich bin wohl schon bereits ein bisschen spät dran. |
Fine, I've found the number, calling them now. | Passt. Ich habe die Nummer gefunden und rufe sie jetzt an. |
My name is Mike, I'm calling about the house for rent... | Mein Name ist Mike. Ich rufe an wegen dem Haus das vermietet wird... |
But I don't think I'm being aggressive!!! | Aber ich denke nicht, dass ich zu aggressiv bin!!! |
Do you want some wine or are you sticking with beer? | Willst du auch Wein oder bleibst du beim Bier? |
Okay, I'm leaving my bag here. | Okay, ich lasse meine Tasche hier. |