Present Continuous Tense

Present Continuous (I am doing)

Use the following rule to form the present continuous.

Subject + am/are/is + verb + ing . . . .

The present progressive is used to indicate present time (now) with all but the stative verbs listed previously.

John is eating dinner now.
We are studying English today.

1. we use the present progressive when we talk about something which is happening at the time of speaking:

• Please don’t make so much noise. I’m studying.
• ‘Where is Margaret?’ ‘She is having a bath.’
• Let’s go out now. It isn’t raining anymore.
• Hello, Ann. Are you enjoying the party?

2. We also use the present progressive when we talk about something which is happening around the time of speaking, but not necessarily exactly at the time of speaking. Study this example situation:

• Tom and Ann are talking and drinking in a café. Tom says: ‘I’m reading interesting book at the moment. I’ll lend it to you when I’ve finished it.

Tom is not reading the book at the time of speaking. He means that he has begun the book and hasn’t finished it yet. He is in the middle of reading it. Here is some more examples:

• Silvia is learning English at the moment.
• Have you heard about Tom? He is building his own house.

But perhaps Silvia and Tom are not doing these things exactly at the time of speaking.

3. We often us the present progressive when we talk about a period around the present.
Example: today, this season etc:

• ‘You are working hard today.’ ‘Yes, I have a lot to do.’
• Tom isn’t playing football this season. He wants to concentrate on his studies.

4. We use the present continuous when we talk about changing situation:

• The population of the world is rising very fast.
• Is your English getting better?

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