Present Continuous

Use of Present Continuous

We use the Present Continuous to to speak about an activity that is happening at the moment of speaking, or a temporary action that is happening around now, or an activity that takes place for a limited  period of time. As with all continuous verb forms, these tend to describe a situation and give a sense of movement and also the duration to the activity.

  • actions happening at the moment of speaking

Mark  is watching television now.

  • temporary actions

I am working at a friends office this month.

  • actions happening around the moment of speaking.

I am reading a good book at the moment.

  • trends

More and more people are using their mobile phones to send E mails.

  • repeated actions which are irritating to the speaker (with always, constantly, forever)

Mark is always arriving late.


Form

auxiliary to be (am, are, is) + Infinitive + ing

  • Key Words

  • At the moment
  • Now
  • In this period
  • At present
  • Look!
  • This year/this month

 Affirmative form

Long formsContracted forms
I am listening to music at the moment.I‘m listening to music at the moment.
You are listening to music.You‘re listening to music.
He is listening to music in this period.He‘s listening to music in this period.

 Negative form

Long formsContracted forms
I am not listening to music now.I‘m not listening to music now.
You are not listening to music at present.You‘re not listening to music.
You aren’t listening to music at present.
He is not listening to music.He‘s not listening to music.
He isn’t listening to music.

Interrogative form

Long formsContracted forms
Am I listening to music?not possible
Are you listening to music in this period?
Is he listening to music now?