Present Continuous Tense - A Detailed Guide
The Present Continuous Tense is used to describe actions happening at the moment of
speaking, temporary situations, future plans, and changing trends.
1. Uses of the Present Continuous Tense
A. Actions Happening Now
Used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking.
- She **is reading** a book right now.
- They **are playing** football at the moment.
B. Temporary Actions
Used for actions that are happening temporarily but may not be happening at this exact
moment.
- I **am staying** at my friend's house for a week.
- She **is working** as a teacher this summer.
C. Future Arrangements
Used for planned future events.
- We **are meeting** our friends tomorrow.
- She **is traveling** to London next week.
D. Changing Trends
Used for gradual changes or trends.
- The climate **is getting** warmer.
- People **are using** electric cars more frequently.
2. Structure of the Present Continuous Tense
A. Affirmative Sentences
Subject + am/is/are + verb + ing
- I **am studying** now.
- She **is watching** TV.
- They **are playing** football.
B. Negative Sentences
Subject + am/is/are + not + verb + ing
- I **am not sleeping**.
- He **is not listening**.
- We **are not going** to school today.
C. Interrogative Sentences
Am/Is/Are + subject + verb + ing?
- **Are** you coming to the party?
- **Is** she studying?
- **Am** I talking too fast?
3. Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Mistake Correction
❌ She is go to school. ✅ She is going to school.
❌ He not is sleeping. ✅ He is not sleeping.
❌ Are she studying? ✅ Is she studying?
4. Time Expressions Often Used in Present Continuous
- **Now, at the moment, right now** → 'She is reading **now**.'
- **These days, this week, this month** → 'I am working from home **this week**.'
- **Tonight, tomorrow, next week** → 'We are visiting grandma **tomorrow**.'
5. Practice Questions
Choose the correct answer for each question.
1. 1. She ______ TV right now.
A) watch
B) watches
C) is watching
D) watching
2. 2. They ______ to school at the moment.
A) are going
B) go
C) going
D) is going
3. 3. I ______ my homework now.
A) do
B) am doing
C) doing
D) does
4. 4. ______ you listening to me?
A) Are
B) Is
C) Am
D) Does
5. 5. She ______ her friend this weekend.
A) meets
B) is meeting
C) meet
D) met
6. 6. He ______ right now.
A) sleep
B) is sleeping
C) sleeps
D) sleeping
7. 7. We ______ dinner at the moment.
A) eating
B) are eating
C) eat
D) eats
8. 8. The baby ______.
A) is cry
B) cries
C) is crying
D) crying
9. 9. My mother ______ dinner now.
A) cook
B) cooks
C) is cooking
D) cooking
10. 10. ______ they playing football?
A) Do
B) Is
C) Are
D) Does
11. 11. The teacher ______ to the students.
A) speaks
B) is speaking
C) speak
D) speaking
12. 12. I ______ a new book this week.
A) read
B) am reading
C) reads
D) reading
13. 13. They ______ in the park right now.
A) running
B) are running
C) run
D) runs
14. 14. The weather ______ colder these days.
A) gets
B) getting
C) is getting
D) get
15. 15. My father ______ to work this week.
A) isn’t going
B) don’t go
C) are going
D) doesn’t going
Answers
1. C) is watching
2. A) are going
3. B) am doing
4. A) Are
5. B) is meeting
6. B) is sleeping
7. B) are eating
8. C) is crying
9. C) is cooking
10. C) Are
11. B) is speaking
12. B) am reading
13. B) are running
14. C) is getting
15. A) isn’t going
