Section summary
Activities happening at the time of speaking:
- I’m working in the office today.
Longer activities continuing in the current period of time:
- She’s living in London for a few months.
Something temporary:
- I’m playing tennis. (I won’t always be playing tennis)
- She’s eating lunch.
Planned future events:
- Sally’s working late next week.
- I'm eating at Lucy's house tonight.
Affirmative (Positive):
- I am cycling
Form:
- Subject + "to be" (am/is/are) + verb (ing)
Negative:
- I am not cycling
Form:
- Subject + "to be" (am/is/are) + not + verb (ing)
Question (Interrogative):
- Are you cycling?
Form:
- "to be" (am/is/are) + subject + verb (ing)?
PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
WHEN TO USE?
- For actions happening now
- For temporary situations
- For trends or changes
- For annoying habits
- For definite future plans
- For longer actions in progress
HOW TO FORM?
POSITIVE FORM:
- I am drinking.
- He / She / It is drinking.
- You / We / They are drinking.
NEGATIVE FORM:
- I am not drinking.
- He / She / It isn't drinking.
- You / We / They aren't drinking.
QUESTION FORM:
- Am I drinking.
- Is he / she / it drinking.
- Are you / we / they drinking.
POSITIVE ANSWERS:
- Yes, I am.
- Yes, he / she / it is.
- Yes, you / we / they are.
NEGATIVE ANSWERS:
- No, I am not.
- No, he / she / it isn't.
- No, you / we / they aren't.