1.

Uses of the present continuous

In English, the Present Continuous tense is usually used to express

continuing, ongoing actions which are taking place at the moment of
speaking or writing. In the examples given below, the verbs in the
Present Continuous tense are underlined.
e.g. Right now I am cooking supper.
At the moment the plane is flying over the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The Present Continuous tense is often used in conversation.

e.g. "What are you doing?"
"I am working on my English assignment."

Occasionally, the Present Continuous tense is used to refer to a

future event.
e.g. We are leaving tomorrow.

2. Formation of the present continuous

The Present Continuous tense of any verb is formed from the Simple
Present of the auxiliary to be, followed by what is generally referred
to as the present participle of the verb.

The present participle of a verb is formed by adding ing to the bare

infinitive. For instance, the present participle of the verb to work is
working.

Thus, the Present Continuous tense of the verb to work is

conjugated as follows:

I am working
you are
working
he is working
she is working
it is working
we are working
they are
working

See Exercise 1.

3. Spelling rules for the formation of the present participle

Some verbs change their spelling when the ending ing is added to
form the present participle.

a. Verbs ending in a silent e

When a verb ends in a silent e, the silent e is dropped before the
ending ing is added. For example:

Infinitive Present Participle

to close closing
to dine dining
to leave leaving
to move moving

However, when a verb ends in an e which is not silent, the final e is

not dropped before the ending ing is added. For example:

Infinitive Present Participle

to be being
to see seeing

b. Verbs ending in ie
When a verb ends in ie, the ie is changed to y before the ending
ing is added. For example:

Infinitive Present Participle

to die dying
to lie lying

When a verb ends in y, no change is made before the ending is

added. For example:

Infinitive Present Participle

to fly flying
to play playing