I am singing
We of ten use the present continuous tense in English. It is very different from the simple present tense,
both in structure and in use.
In this lesson we look the structure and use of the present continuous tense, followed by a quiz to check
your understanding:
· Structure: how do we make the present continuous tense?
· Use: when and why do we use the present continuous tense?
· Spelling: how do we spell verbs with -ing for the present continuous tense?
· Present Continuous Tense Quiz
Continuous tenses are also called
progressive tenses. So the present
progressive tense is the same as the present
continuous tense.
How do we make the Present Continuous Tense?
The structure of the present continuous tense is:
subject + auxiliary verb + main verb
be base + ing
Look at these examples:
subject auxiliary verb main verb
+
I am speaking to you.
+ You are reading this.
-She is not staying in London.
- We are not playing football?
Is he watching TV?
Are they waiting for John?
How do we use the Present Continuous Tense?
We use the present continuous tense to talk about:
· action happening now
· action in the future
Present continuous tense for action happening now
a) for action happening exactly now
I am eating my lunch.
past present future
The action is happening now.
Look at these examples. Right now you are looking at this screen and at the same time...
...the pages are turning. ...the candle is burning. ...the numbers are spinning.
b) for action happening around now
The action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just before and j ust af ter now, and i t
is not permanent or habitual .
John is going out with Mary.
past present future
The action is happening around now.
Look at these examples:
· Muriel is learning to drive.
· I am living with my sister until I find an apartment.
Present continuous tense for the future
We can also use the present continuous tense to talk about the future—if we add a future word!! We
must add (or understand from the context) a future word. "Future words" include, for example,
tomorrow, next year, in June, at Christmas etc. We only use the present continuous tense to talk
about the future when we have planned to do something before we speak. We have already made a
decision and a plan before speaking.
I am taking my exam next month.
past present future
!!!
A firm plan or programme exists
now.
The action is in the future.
Look at these examples:
· We're eating in a restaurant tonight. We've already booked the table..
· They can pl ay tennis with you tomorrow. They're not working.
· When are you starting your new job?
In these examples, we have a firm plan or programme before speaking. The decision and plan were
made before speaking.
How do we spell the Present Continuous Tense?
We make the present continuous tense by adding -ing to the base verb. Normally it's simple—we just
add -ing. But sometimes we have to change the word a little. Perhaps we double the last letter, or we
drop a letter. Here are the rules to help you know how to spell the present continuous tense.
Just add -ing to the base verb:
work > working
pl ay > playing
assist > assisting
see > seeing
Basic rule
be > being
Exception1
If the base verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel + consonant, double the last letter:
s t o p
consonant
stressed
vowel
consonant
(vowel s = a, e, i , o, u)
stop > stopping
run > running
begin > beginning
Note that this exception does not apply when the last syllable of the base verb is not
stressed:
open > opening
If the base verb ends in ie, change the ie to y:
lie > lying
Exception2
die > dying
If the base verb ends in vowel + consonant +e, omit the e:
come > coming
Exception3
mistake > mistaking
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