Present Continuous 1

Present Continuous

What is the Present Continuous?

The present continuous verb tense indicates that an action or condition is happening now, frequently, and may continue into the future.The present continuous (present progressive) tense is a way to convey any action or condition that is happening right now, frequently, and may be ongoing. It adds energy and action to writing, and its effect helps readers understand when the action is happening.

Formula

The Present Continuous Formula: to be [am, is, are] + verb [present participle] Aunt Christine is warming up the car while Scott looks for his new leather coat. They are eating at Scott’s favorite restaurant today, Polly’s Pancake Diner.

When to Use the Present Continuous Tense

Use the present continuous tense with the appropriate “to be” verb and a dynamic verb. A dynamic verb shows action and/or process. For example: Scott’s little sister is arriving at the diner two hours late because her roller-derby team, Chicks Ahoy, won the national championships early today. As she is walking into Polly’s Pancake Diner, she is yelling goodbye to her friends outside, and Scott hopes she doesn’t cause a scene since she is always embarrassing him in public.

When Not to Use the Present Continuous

Do not use the present continuous tense with stative verbs. Stative verbs show a state of being that does not show qualities of change. These verbs can stay in the simple present. For example,

Common Construction in the Present Continuous T

Common Dynamic Verbs that USE the Present Continuous

Common Stative Verbs that DO NOT USE the Present Continuous

Activities

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/english-grammar-reference/present-continuous

https://www.english-room.com/grammar/presentcontinuous_1.htm

VS

https://www.english-room.com/grammar/presentcontinuous_2.htm

https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/tenses/present_progressive_statements_long2.htm