3.2 Present continuous

Form: present continuous

am / is / are + present participle (verb-ing)

The present continuous (also called the present progressive) is formed with am / is / are (the present tense forms of be) + the present participle -ing form of the verb.

Affirmative

Negative

Interrogative

The following contracted forms are often used in spoken and in informal written language:

I am » I'm
you are » you're
he/she/it is » he's/she's/it's
we are » we're
you are » you're
they are » they're

are not » aren't
is not » isn't

Present continuous for actions in progress at the time of speaking

The present continuous tense is used to refer to actions that are in progress at or around the time of speaking:

"What are you doing?" "I am reading a book."
New York police are investigating the case.
Let's take an umbrella. It's raining.
I'm staying at the Hotel Royal.

Present continuous for gradual development

The present continuous can express change and gradual development in the present:

I feel that things are getting better.
More and more people are giving up smoking.

Present continuous for frequently repeated actions in the present

With time expressions such as always, constantly, continually and all the time, the present continuous can express frequently repeated actions which annoy the speaker:

Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be.
Her mother is constantly checking up on her.
Why are you continually criticising me?

Present continuous for temporary habitual actions in the present

The present continuous is used to express repeated or habitual actions in the present that are temporary and may or may not actually be happening at the time of speaking:

Lucy is taking piano lessons these days.
Are you still seeing that guy from the hiking club?