Present Continuous: Affirmatives

The present continuous tense (also called the present progressive tense) is commonly used in English for

actions happening right now, or in the future. This page will explain the rules for forming the tense with

regular verbs.

1. Forming the present continuous tense

This tense is formed using two components: the verb BE (in the present tense), and the -ING form of a verb.

Here are the rules, using the example verb “sing”:

Subject BE -ING form

I am singing

You are singing

He is singing

She is singing

It is singing

We are singing

They are singing

2. How to make the -ING form

With many verbs, you can simply add -ING to the end of the verb. However, with some verbs,

you need to change the ending a little. Here are the rules:

Verb ending in... How to make the -ING form Examples

one vowel + one consonant Double the consonant, then add -ING

swim - swimming

hit - hitting

get - getting

one vowel + one consonant + E Remove E, then add -ING

come - coming

lose - losing

live - living

[anything else] Add -ING

say - saying

go - going

walk - walking

Present Continuous: Negatives and Questions

In the present continuous tense, negative forms are made using NOT, and question forms are

made by changing the word order of the sentence. This page explains the rules.

1. Forming a negative

Negatives in the present continuous are formed by adding not or n't after the verb BE:

Positive sentence Negative sentence Contracted negative

I am eating. I am not eating. I'm not eating.

You are working. You are not working. You aren't working.

He is driving. He is not driving. He isn't driving.

She is teaching. She is not teaching. She isn't teaching.

It is raining. It is not raining. It isn't raining.

We are reading. We are not reading. We aren't reading.

They are writing. They are not writing. They aren't writing.

2. Forming a question

Yes/no questions are created by moving the verb BE to the beginning of the sentence. WH-

questions are formed by moving the verb BE, and then adding the WH- word. Here are the rules:

Statement Yes/no question WH- question

I am eating. Am I eating? What am I eating?

You are crying. Are you crying? Why are you crying?

He is going. Is he going? Where is he going?

She is arriving. Is she arriving? When is she arriving?

It is sleeping. Is it sleeping? Why is it sleeping?

We are leaving. Are we leaving? When are we leaving?

They are fighting. Are they fighting? Why are they fighting?

When to use 1. We use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about activities happening now.

Examples : The kids are watching TV. I am sitting down, because I am tired.

I am not learning German, because this is an English class.

Who are you writing to?

2. We can also use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about activities happening around

now, and not necessarily this very moment.

Examples : Sally is studying really hard for her exams this week. I am reading a really interesting book now.

How are you brushing up on your English for the trip?

We aren't working hard these days.

3. The Present Continuous Tense is also used to talk about activities happening in the near

future, especially for planned future events.

Examples : I am seeing my dentist on Wednesday. Polly is coming for dinner tomorrow.

Are you doing anything tonight?

We aren't going on holiday next week.