







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 | |
|---|---|
| Don't you think you are exaggerating? | 과장하고 있다고 생각 안해? |
| Fine, I've found the number, calling them now. | 그래, 번호는 찾았으니까 지금 전화할게. |
| That's unfortunate, are you guys planning on living here together? | 저런, 그럼 두 분은 여기서 같이 사시는 건가요? |
| My name is Mike, I'm calling about the house for rent... | 제 이름은 마이크고요, 집 구하려고 전화를 드리는데요... |
| If you say so!... I'm taking the kids to the garden. | 정 그렇게 나오겠다면야!...난 애들 데리고 안뜰로 갈 거야. |
| Hello mate, are you still sleeping? | 안녕 친구, 아직 자는 거야? |
| Hello, am I speaking to Mr. Jones? | 여보세요, 존스 씨 되시나요? |
| Yes, that's what I am asking! | 그래, 그게 내 말이야! |
| Erm, alright, maybe you are right, I'm overreacting a bit. | 음, 그래, 네 말이 맞을지도 몰라, 내가 좀 과민반응하고 있나봐. |
| Okay, since we are moving my desk back to the window side... | 그래, 창문 쪽으로 책상을 옮기는 차에 말인데... |
| I'm just trying to find the best arrangement for two people in the room. | 방에 두 사람이 들어가기에 제일 알맞은 배치를 찾으려고 이러는 거잖아. |
| Helloooo girls, I hope you are enjoying yourselves. | 안녕, 아가씨들. 좋은 시간 보내고 있길 바라. |
| How are you searching? | 너는 뭐라고 검색하는데? |
| What 500 times? Aren't you overexaggerating? | 뭐, 500번? 너 과장이 심하다? |
| I'm Mike, calling about the house for rent in Angel... | 저는 마이크예요, 엔젤에 세 나온 집 때문에 전화드린 거예요... |
| I think Pogo is getting less insecure now. | 포고가 이제 좀 덜 불안해하는 것 같아. |
| Especially while your winter clothes are taking up all the space. | 더구나 네 겨울 옷이 자리를 다 차지하잖아. |
| Yeah, go on, ask the question dear, I'm waiting. | 그래, 말해, 기다리고 있으니까 물어보라고. |
| Yes, I can see you are not being aggressive in your eyes! | 그렇네, 네 눈을 보니까 조금도 날카롭지 않아 보여! |
| It's okay, I just called to ask what we are doing this evening. | 괜찮아, 그냥 오늘 저녁에 같이 뭘 하나 해서 전화했어. |