The present continuous of any verb is composed of two parts - the present tense of the verb to be + the present participle of the main verb.
(The form of the present participle is: base+ing, e.g. talking, playing, moving, smiling)
Subject + to be + base+ing
she is talking
Subject + to be + not + base+ing
she is not (isn't) talking
to be + subject + base+ing
is she talking?
Affirmative |
Negative |
Interrogative |
I am going |
I am not going |
Am I going? |
You are going |
You aren't going. |
Are you going? |
He, she, it is going |
He, she, it isn't going |
Is he, she, it going? |
We are going |
We aren't going |
Are we going? |
You are going |
You aren't going |
Are you going? |
They are going |
They aren't going |
Are they going? |
Note: alternative negative contractions: I'm not going, you're not going, he's not going etc.
As with all tenses in English, the speaker's attitude is as important as the time of the action or event. When someone uses the present continuous, they are thinking about something that is unfinished or incomplete.
The present continuous is used:
• to describe an action that is going on at the moment
You are using the Internet. You are studying English grammar.
• to describe an action that is going on during this period of time or a trend,
Are you still working for the same company? More and more people are becoming vegetarian.
• to describe an action or event in the future, which has already been planned or prepared (See also 'Ways of expressing the future)
We're going on holiday tomorrow. I'm meeting my boyfriend tonight. Are they visiting you next winter?
• to describe a temporary event or situation,
He usually plays the drums, but he's playing bass guitar tonight. The weather forecast was good, but it's raining at the moment.
• with 'always, forever, constantly', to describe and emphasise a continuing series of repeated actions
Harry and Sally are always arguing! You're forever complaining about your mother-in-law!
BE CAREFUL! Some verbs are not used in the continuous form - see below.
The verbs in the list below are normally used in the simple form, because they refer to states, rather than actions or processes:
List of common verbs normally used in simple form:
Senses / Perception
feel*, hear, see*, smell, taste
Opinion
assume, believe, consider, doubt, feel (= think), find (= consider), suppose, think*
Mental states
forget, imagine, know, mean, notice, recognise, remember, understand
Emotions / desires
envy, fear, dislike, hate, hope, like, love, mind, prefer, regret, want, wish
Measurement
contain, cost, hold, measure, weigh
Others
look (=resemble), seem, be (in most cases), have (when it means to possess)*
*Notes:
'Perception' verbs (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) are often used with 'can':
I can see...
These verbs may be used in the continuous form but with a different meaning, compare:
This coat feels nice and warm. (= your perception of the coat's qualities)
John's feeling much better now. (= his health is improving)
She has three dogs and a cat. (=possession)
She's having supper. (= She's eating)
I can see Anthony in the garden. (= perception)
I'm seeing Anthony later. (= We are planning to meet)
Present perfect simple emphasises the result of a completed action.
Present perfect continuous emphasises the activity itself, possibly unfinished.