The Present Continuous Tense - When to use

1. We use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about activities happening now.
Examples
The kids are watching TV.
I am sitting down, because I am tired.
I am not learning German, because this is an English class.
Who are you writing to?
We can also use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about activities happening around now, and not
necessarily this very moment.
Examples
Sally is studying really hard for her exams this week.
I am reading a really interesting book now.
How are you brushing up on your English for the trip?
We aren't working hard these days.

Present Continuous Tense - Positive Sentences

We make the Present Continuous tense with the correct form of the verb to be
(am/is/are) and the ing form of the main verb.
I 'm playing football.
You 're standing up.
He 's listening to music.
She 's swimming.
It 's playing with the ball.
We 're going home.
They 're running.


Exercise: Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
Example: I
am listening
(listen) to you.
1. The train to Glasgow (leave) from platform 8.
2. I (begin) to understand the Present Continuous now.
3. Sue (work) tonight.
4. Listen! The telephone (ring).
5. Ms. Johnson (see) a customer at 3 o'clock.
Present Continuous - Negative Sentences

I 'm not playing football.
You aren't standing up.
He isn't listening to music.
She isn't swimming.
It isn't playing with the ball.
We aren't going home.
They aren't running.

Exercise: Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
Example: We
aren't watching
the television.
1. My Dad (not have) his lunch now.
2. The kids (not study) tomorrow.
3. It (not rain) today.
4. I (not study) German.
5. We (not go) to Egypt on summer holiday.





Present Continuous - Negative Sentences

I 'm not playing football.
You aren't standing up.
He isn't listening to music.
She isn't swimming.
It isn't playing with the ball.
We aren't going home.
They aren't running.
Exercise: Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
Example: We
aren't watching
the television.
1. My Dad (not have) his lunch now.
2. The kids (not study) tomorrow.
3. It (not rain) today.
4. I (not study) German.
5. We (not go) to Egypt on summer holiday.










Present Continuous - Yes/No Questions

Am I doing it right?
Are you listening to me?
Is he working today?
Is she speaking Chinese?
Is it working?
Are we going home now?
Are they watching TV?

Exercise: Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
Example:
Are you listening
(you listen) to me?
1. (it start) to rain?
2. (Sue study) to become a doctor?
3. (you take) your daughter with you?
4. (the dog play) with the kids?
5. (they come) tonight?