What Is The Present Continuous Present Tense?

The Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous (progressive) tense refers to actions that are happening now or developing now.

As well as the present simple tense, (click here for more information) this is also one of first tenses you will use and learn about.

The verbs in this tense are written with /ing/ at the end.

Example:

I am playing

We are playing

They are playing

She is playing…

He is playing…

It is playing…

Notice that before the action verb (play) there also needs to be the words /am/, /is/ or /are/ depending on the subject of the sentence. We call these verbs ‘to be.’

When do we write or speak in the present continuous tense?

Situation 1

To talk about something that happening right now.

She is walking the dog.

I am writing an email to my friend.

Situation 2

To talk about temporary things which have begun but haven’t finished.

I am studying at university.

She is planning her wedding.

Situation 3

When talking about future arrangements.

She is getting married in June.

I am meeting John at 8 O’clock.

How to form the present simple tense.

subject + to be + Verb + ing

I/You/We/They/She/He + am/are/is + eating an apple.