Present Continuous Tense

I am singing

We often use the present continuous tense in English. It is very different from the simple present tense, 

both in structure and in use.

In this lesson we look the structure and use of the present continuous tense, follwed by a quiz to check 

your understanding: 

• Structure: how do we make the present continuous tense?
• Use: when and why do we use the present continuous tense?
• Spelling: how do we spell verbs with -ing for the present continuous tense?
• Present Continuous Tense Quiz

Continuous tenses are also called 

progressive tenses. So the present 

progressive tense is the same as 

the present continuous tense. 

How do we make the Present Continuous Tense?

The structure of the present continuous tense is: 

subject + auxiliary verb + main verb

                         be                base + ing 

Look at these examples:

How do we use the Present Continuous Tense? 

We use the present continuous tense to talk about: 

• action happening now
• action in the future

Present continuous tense for action happening now 

a) for action happening exactly now

                               I am eating my lunch

Past                                      Present                                    Future

The action is happening now.

Look at these examples. Right now you are looking at this screen and at the same time...