Present continuous tense is used in the modern English. It illustrates present tense with the continuous aspect.
Some examples of present continuous tense are given below.
1. Sudha is reading the book.
2. Ronu is coming back right now.
3. Paramita is writing a letter for her parents.
4. Is your brother returning from Delhi tomorrow?
5. They are not going to Mumbai this week.
6. You are doing some mistakes in your home task.
7. Are you not singing a patriotic song?
8. Isn’t Rohim learning the guitar?
9. Aren’t Tuhin and Jit reading in the class XII?
10. The birds are not flying in the blue sky.
11. Isn’t the boy disturbing the girl in the class room?
12. They are not making any interest in leaving the place.
13. My mother is not preparing delicious food for us now.
14. My father is watching cricket match on the TV.
15. The boy is shining in his career.
16. Is Amal calling me in his office?
17. The clerk is calculating the amount.
18. They are bathing in the river with parents.
19. Is the man copying the documents?
20. Roni and Robi are connecting with other boys in their class.
21. Are they canvasing their merits in the public.
Let us discuss present continuous tense with some related facts in the following section.
Present continuous tense structure
Every type of sentence has some structure which makes it meaningful. Let us discuss the structure of present continuous tense.
Present continuous tense is the progression of action which is ongoing or happening right now. This tense goes with the be verb in the present form and takes present participle.
Let us check the structure of sentences that are formed by using present continuous tense.
| Positive | Negative | Interrogative | Negative interrogative |
| Subject + am/is/are + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence | Subject + am/is/are+ not + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence | Am/is/are+ Subject + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence | Am/is/are+ Subject + not + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence Or Aren’t/isn’t+ subject + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence |
The structure of the “Present continuous tense” represents the current moment or occurring that is right now.
Present continuous tense formula
The important formula that is used to formulate the sentences of present continuous tense is discussed below.
The formula in English for mastering the present continuous tense is Subject + Be verb (am, is, are) + participle (Present).
Let us know the use of the above mentioned formula with a few examples in the table which is given below.
| Example | Explanation |
| 22. She is not committing such a mistake. | Here the sentence indicates that the action of subject is continuing for sometime. |
| 23. I am not bothering for Animesh’s loudness. | This sentence is showing the action of the subject is going on. |
| 24. The river is flowing beside the villages. | This example is denoting the river is continuing its flowing. |
The helping verb “Am’” for the pronoun “I”, “Is” for the singular subject and “Are” for the plural subject is used to form a present continuous tense.
What is present continuous tense?
Present continuous tense is also known as present progressive tense. Let us see what present continuous tense is.
Present continuous tense is used to talk about the action that happens in the present.
Let us see some examples of different kinds of sentences of present continuous tense in the table below.
| Examples | Type of Sentence |
| 25. They are going to school by the bus. | Positive |
| 26. Sumana is not communicating with her classmate. | Negative |
| 27. Am I not representing the new company? | Interrogative |
| 28. Aren’t you doing it seriously? | Negative interrogative |
Where to use present continuous tense?
The use of present continuous tense depends on the situations. Let us see what they are.
We can use present continuous tense in the following situations:
- Present continuous tense is used in a sentence when the action is occurring before and after a specific time.
- Present continuous tense is used in a sentence when the action is temporary.
- Present continuous tense is used in a sentence when the action is new and connects with the previous state.
- Present continuous tense is used in a sentence when the action is changing, growing or developing.
- Present continuous tense is used in a sentence when the action is indicating the future.
| Example | Explanation |
| 29. Suman is coming here tomorrow in the morning. | This sentence describes the action of the subject in the future. |
| 30. Ananta is gradually changing his study habits. | This sentence represents the growth or change |
Why to use present continuous tense-
Present Continuous tense is used in various ways to highlight different expressions. Let us follow such expressions here.
Present continuous tense is used because of the following reasons:
- Present continuous tense is used because it helps to represent the action which is progressing or happening in the moment when the speaker is talking.
- Present continuous tense is used because it helps to show the action which will be happening in the future.
- Present continuous tense is used because it helps to talk about the past when we are telling a story.
- Present continuous tense is used because it helps to use summarizing a book, a film or a plan.
| Example | Explanation |
| 31. The class is being opened with one hundred students. | The action of subject is indicating the sentence is in the present progressive tense. |
| 32. The price of the essential things is not extending high. | This sentence is exploring the action of the subject that is happening now. |
How to use present continuous tense-
Present continuous tense is used in such a way that makes the description more elaborative. Let us know those ways here.
Present continuous tense can be used in the following ways:
- The sentence will begin with the subject when it is in positive or negative and with the helping verb when it is in interrogative format.
- A sentence with present continuous tense consists of a helping verb (to be forms of verb) with a main verb.
- It is to be noted that “Am” cannot be used in negative interrogative sentence. Instead of “Am not” “Aren’t” is used.
Let us look at the examples and explanations of present continuous tense.
| Example | Explanation |
| 33. She is hearing the news of her selection in the army. | Incorrect. She hears the news of her selection in the army (Correct). |
| 34. The boy is loving the taste of chocolate | Incorrect. The boy loves the taste of chocolate (Correct). |
| 35. The teachers are always influencing students in their lesson | Incorrect. The teachers influence students in their lessons (Correct). |
Conclusion-
Present continuous tense basically indicates the action which is ongoing and the action is in the future.
Hi! I am Bhabesh Sing. I have completed M.A in English, M.A in Vocal Music, and B.Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a Subject Matter Expert in English on this Platform.
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