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 | |
---|---|
Are they asking for sh*tloads of money as a deposit, also? | ¿También están pidiendo cantidades exorbitantes de dinero para el depósito? |
Yeah, go on, ask the question dear, I'm waiting. | Ajá querido, haz la pregunta, estoy esperando. |
Are you crying, dear? | ¿Estás llorando, querida? |
Yes, I am coming! | ¡Sí, iré! |
Fine, I've found the number, calling them now. | Bien, ya encontré el número, le estoy llamando ahora. |
How is your rice going? | ¿Cómo va tu arroz? |
Alright, so I'm leaving now. | Vale, me marcho ahora. |
Why are you waking him up? | ¿Por qué vas a despertarle? |
Don't you think you are exaggerating? | ¿No crees que estás exagerando? |
But I don't think I'm being aggressive!!! | ¡¡¡Pero no creo que esté siendo agresiva!!! |
What old lady are you talking about? | ¿De qué señora hablas? |
You know who we are talking about. | Tú sabes de qué estamos hablando. |
Because I can't see what you are searching on my phone. | Porque no puedo ver qué es lo que estás buscando en mi teléfono. |
And one of them is asking for £5,000 deposit. | Y una de ellas está pidiendo por £5,000 para el depósito. |
Excuse me, we are trying to find this rice. | Perdone, estamos intentando encontrar este arroz. |
Alright, sorry, my phone is ringing! | Genial, lo siento, ¡me suena el teléfono! |
That's unfortunate, are you guys planning on living here together? | Eso es desafortunado, ¿y ustedes planean vivir aquí juntos? |
Well, it depends on where you're going in Australia, actually. | Bueno, depende realmente de la parte a la que vayas de Australia. |
I have no idea what they are talking about! | ¡No tengo idea de lo que están hablando! |
No, but I'm checking it on the internet now. | No, pero lo estoy buscando en Internet ahora. |