Lesson 3

Present Continuous Tense Theory

The Present Continuous Tense is formed from the Present Simple Tense of the verb be and the Present Participle (-ing form) of a verb.

Use

We use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about the present:

1. For something that is happening at the moment of speaking. Examples:

• Please be quiet. The children are sleeping.
• I’m just leaving work. I’ll be home in an hour.

2. For something which is happening before and after a given time. Exampes:

• When I get home the children are doing their homework.
• At eight o’clock we are usually having breakfast.

3. For something which we think is temporary. Examples:

• I’m working in London for the next two weeks.
• Michael is at university. He’s studying history.

4. For something which is new and contrasts with a previous state. Examples:

• These days most people are using email instead of writing letters.
• What sort of clothes are teenagers wearing nowadays? What sort of music are they listening to?

5. To show that something is changing, growing or developing. Examples:

• The climate is changing rapidly.
• The children are growing quickly.
• Your English is improving.

6. For something which happens again and again. Examples:

• They are always arguing.
• George is great. He’s always laughing.
• It’s always raining in London.

Note: We normally use always with this use.

We use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about the future:

1. For something which has been arranged or planned. Examples:

• What are you doing next week?
• Mary is going to a new school next term.

We can use the present continuous to talk about the past:

1. When we are telling a story.

2. When we are summarising the story from a book, film or play.