Learn English Tenses: PRESENT CONTINUOUS (PRESENT PROGRESSIVE)

Introduction

This tutorial will help you understand the Present Continuous tense in English, also known as the Present Progressive tense. You will learn when and how to use it, common mistakes to avoid, and practice exercises to reinforce your understanding. Mastering this tense is essential for effective communication in English.

Step 1: Understand the Structure of Present Continuous

The Present Continuous tense is formed using the verb "to be" and the present participle (the -ing form of the verb).

• Structure:
  • Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are + verb(-ing)
    • Example: I am working.
  • Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + verb(-ing)
    • Example: She is not studying.
  • Interrogative: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb(-ing)?
    • Example: Are they playing?

Step 2: Know When to Use Present Continuous

The Present Continuous is used for:

• Actions happening right now
  • Example: I am reading a book.
• Future plans or arrangements
  • Example: We are meeting him tomorrow.
• Temporary situations
  • Example: She is living in Paris this month.

Step 3: Know When Not to Use Present Continuous

Do not use the Present Continuous for:

• Stative verbs (verbs that describe states rather than actions)
  • Examples: know, love, like, believe
  • Correct: I know the answer. (not "I am knowing")
• Permanent situations
  • Example: He works at a bank. (not "He is working at a bank.")

Step 4: Practice Using the Verb "To Be"

Make sure you use the correct form of "to be" according to the subject:

• I am
• You are
• He/She/It is
• We are
• They are

Step 5: Create Contractions with Present Continuous

In informal speech, contractions are commonly used:

• I am → I’m
• You are → You’re
• He is → He’s
• She is → She’s
• It is → It’s
• We are → We’re
• They are → They’re

Step 6: Master Spelling of Present Continuous Verbs

When adding -ing, be aware of spelling rules:

• For most verbs, simply add -ing (e.g., play → playing).
• If a verb ends in a silent 'e', drop the 'e' before adding -ing (e.g., make → making).
• For one-syllable verbs that end in a single vowel followed by a single consonant, double the consonant (e.g., run → running).

Step 7: Formulate Short Answers

When responding to questions in the Present Continuous, use short answers:

• Are you working? → Yes, I am / No, I’m not.
• Is she studying? → Yes, she is / No, she isn’t.

Step 8: Engage in Practice Exercises

To reinforce your understanding, practice with exercises that involve creating sentences in the Present Continuous tense. Here are a few prompts:

• Describe what you are doing right now.
• Write about your plans for the weekend.
• List things your friends are currently doing.

Step 9: Identify Common Errors

Be aware of common mistakes people make with the Present Continuous:

• Using it with stative verbs (e.g., "I am knowing").
• Forgetting to use the correct form of "to be".
• Incorrectly forming negative sentences.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned the structure, usage, and common pitfalls of the Present Continuous tense. Remember to practice regularly to build your confidence. For further learning, consider exploring more advanced English tenses in the complete engVid series. Happy studying!