I work in a school. It is raining. What are you doing? So, it becomes vital that we know how to use the present continuous tense the right way, and what situations we use it in. We highly encourage students to help each other out and respond to other students' comments if you can! How do we use the Present Continuous tense? The present continuous (also called present progressive) is a verb tense which is used to show that an ongoing action is happening now, either at the moment of speech or now in a larger sense. Magoosh blog comment policy: To create the best experience for our readers, we will only approve comments that are relevant to the article, general enough to be helpful to other students, concise, and well-written! Present Perfect Continuous. There is no time … Welcome! You can use this tense even if you’re not actually performing the action at that exact moment. Also, someone could be elsewhere doing other things and make this statement. We often use adverbs of frequency (such as 'often', 'always' and 'sometimes') in this case, as well as expressions like 'every Sunday' or 'twice a month'. The individual doesn’t have to be studying at the same time, but they can still use this tense. The Present Progressive is used when we talk about something which is happening now. If you’re in the process, the present continuous can be used! This article focuses on how to form and use the present continuous tense. Present Continuous Tense: How and When to Use It, English for Advanced Learners – Tips to Learn More English, Magoosh English Class: Introduction to Sports in America, 10 English Speaking Apps for Non-Native Speakers, 10 Most Common Grammar Mistakes in English. Les Miserables is a very long novel and would take most people many hours to get through the entire book (Maybe even a few years… seriously, it’s a long novel!). We use the present continuous tense to give energy to something that is happening and combine this tense with a dynamic verb (a verb that shows action). Due to the high volume of comments across all of our blogs, we cannot promise that all comments will receive responses from our instructors. Examples of this use include: Shopping online is growing in popularity nowadays. Present_Continuous.ppt - Free download as Powerpoint Presentation (.ppt), PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or view presentation slides online. What is Present Perfect Continuous Tense? Here are some more examples to help you understand this. In Present Continuous Tense, we use “am” with “I” and “present participle form” (-ing form) of the verb. When expressing irritation. If you are a Premium Magoosh student and would like more personalized service from our instructors, you can use the Help tab on the Magoosh dashboard. Need more practice? 3. to desc… Present continuous tense can be used when speaking about current trends. Eg. She is having a bath at the moment. So to explain that in a short way, we use the present continuous for: Actions happening now. In this lesson we look at the structure and use of the Present Perfect Continuous tense, as well as the use of for and since, followed by a quiz to check your understanding. Now. Read more about the difference between the present simple and the present continuous here.). In order to clearly understand the present continuous, we must make sure to learn about its uses for getting a better idea of it. We are all waiting for you. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments. Uses of the present progressive tense To denote time around now. Thanks! More and more people are becomingvegetarian. Becoming a surgeon takes years of education and practice, but we say it in the present continuous tense. (I think this is a permanent situation. To make the present continuous tense in negative form, use this formula: [am, is, are] + not + present participle. Present tense 1 MultipleChoice_MTYyMzQ= Present tense 2 GapFillTyping_MTYyMzU= Level: advanced. (He might not be working now.). We can use present forms to talk about the past: when we are telling a story: Well, it's a lovely day and I'm just walking down the street when I see this funny guy walking towards me. We just have to use is/am/are and the Present Participle Form or the -ing form of Verb (.e.g running, walking, reading, eating, talking, etc).. Rule 1. The present continuous tense is used for actions happening now or for an action that is unfinished. When indicating something that will (or will not) happen in the near future, especially when talking about plans. Read the examples below to see what we mean. Plans, intentions and arrangements for the future – Present continuous tense. But that’s also why it’s important to get a full and complete grasp of the tense… The present continuous tense expresses something that is happening at the moment of speaking. The Present Continuous tense can be used when we are telling a narrative story in the past or present. These things usually last for quite a short time and … We use the present continuous to talk about actions which are happening at the present moment, but will soon finish. For actions happening now. ), I'm working in a school. (I think this is a temporary situation.). Uses Present Continuous Tense. You could be at a bar doing something else at that exact moment in time you said that sentence. John's working in a bar until he finds a job in his field. They are running the race. I am writing letters. I broke down the Present continuous tense in a post here: Present Continuous There are 4 video lessons about how to make these sentences and the reasons why people use the Present Continuous tense. Compare these two statements: (present simple) I play tennis. e.g. We also use it like this when … **Note: There are verbs that can be both stative and dynamic, and you can use present continuous with the dynamic form of the verb. Hurry up! We use the Present Continuous to talk about: action happening now; action in the future; Present Continuous for action happening now. In English, we describe things as in the present or “now” when talking about things we’re in the process of doing. This tense is also used when the action is temporary. How to form the present continuous. The formula for writing in the present continuous is: ‘be’ verb [am, is, are…] + present participle. 4. (See the present continuous for new, temporary or annoying habits). Try some exercises about the present continuous here. When describing something that will take place in the future, the present continuous tense can be used when you are discussing something that is already discussed or planned ahead. © 2020 Magoosh English Speaking. Present Tense- Include verbs that indicate an ongoing event or an event that is currently occurring in the present. Read about how to make the present continuous tense here. We use the present simple tense when we want to talk about fixed habits or routines – things that don’t change. The present continuous and past continuous tenses (also called present progressive and past progressive) are used when we are describing actions that continue for a period of time in the present or in the past. She isn’t going. It makes the story more dramatic. Read more about the difference between the present simple and the present continuous here.) 2. to describe an action that is going on during this period of time or a trend: Are you still working for the same company? The present perfect continuous is used when an action needs to be emphasized that started in the past and is still ongoing in the present : “She has been telling stories all day.” “I … Unfinished actions. This tense is easier than Present Indefinite Tense. When describing an action that is (or isn’t) happening now or at this exact moment. It could take a month, a year, a century, or even just a second, but the present continuous is used if you’re in the middle of something. The Present Perfect Continuous uses two auxiliary verbs together with a main verb.. Please call back as we are eating dinner now. We use the present progressive to talk about temporary actions and situations that are going on ‘around now’. You are studyingEnglish grammar. There are a couple of different ways that the present continuous tense can be used that may at first seem opposite or contradictory to what we just learned. He is having a shower now. But, if you’re in the process of reading Les Miserables, then the present continuous tense is also correct to use. (Future continuous) The stocks are dropping constantly due to the economy. (Present continuous) He was having a shower when the phone rang. Make use of the present continuous with normal verbs to convey the idea that something is occurring now, at this very moment. All Rights Reserved. The formation of the present continuous is based on the conjugated form of the auxiliary ‘to be’ in the present tense (which is ‘am, is’ or ‘are’) and the infinitive (base form) of the corresponding verb with ‘ … The future tense describes things that have yet to happen (e.g., later, tomorrow, next week, next year, three years from now). It is also called Present Continuous. When To Apply the Present Continuous Tense. When someone uses the present continuous, they are thinking about something that is unfinished or incomplete 1. to describe an action that is going on at this moment: You are using the Internet. That’s all we have on the present continuous tense! When asking a question in the present continuous tense, use the formula: [am, is, are] + subject + present participle. The present tense is used to describe things that are happening right now, or things that are continuous. PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE We use the present continuous tense: 1. Read about how to make the present continuous tense here. The present continuous tense is most often used for the following: - For actions happening now - For future arrangements - To express annoyance at repeated actions. Present Uses 1: First, we use the present continuous for things that are happening at the moment of speaking. Present Continuous. The present perfect continuous (also called present perfect progressive) is a verb tense which is used to show that an action started in the past and has continued up to the present moment. She's swimming every morning (she didn't use to do this). It is frequently used in conjunction with time expressions such as "right now" or "today" to indicate that an action is occurring at that moment. Learn the Present Continuous Tense in English with examples. I am doing my homework. Present perfect continuous tense is one of 12 tenses in the English language, and it is used when something started happening in the past and is continuing to happen in the present (source). (Past continuous) He will be having a shower, so take the house keys when you go out. 3: The next use is for habits or things that we do regularly. Learn how to use the present continuous verb tense in English. The present continuous tense, also commonly known as Present progressive tense, is one of the most common and used tenses we have in English. Used with “always” or “constantly”. Use #1. Hi! Introduction to Uses of Tenses Primarily, There are three types of tenses: Past Tense – Include verbs that indicate that the event has occurred in the past. Quick Reference Table: The Present Continuous Tense in All Forms. a) for action happening exactly now Examples: I am reading. The Present Continuous, also called Present Progressive is a verb tense which is used to show that an ongoing action is happening now either at the moment of … If you’re interested in private online tutoring that will help you achieve your language goals, visit the Magoosh Speaking Site where you can schedule your introductory session today! Another use of this tense is when talking about a planned event in the future. Download this explanation in PDF here. Try some exercises about the present continuous here. When describing an action that is (or isn’t) happening now or at this exact moment. Get more Perfect English Grammar with our courses. Don’t use the present continuous tense with ‘stative’ verbs (verbs that describe a state but no action). When describing something you are in the process of doing. I'm Seonaid and I hope you like the website. We use the present continuous tense to give energy to something that is happening and combine this tense with a dynamic verb (a verb that shows action). We can use the present continuous to talk about the past when we are: telling a story : The other day I 'm just walking down the street when suddenly this man comes up to … An action happening right now at the moment of speaking. The present continuous can also be used to show … 1. actions happening at the moment of speaking (now, at the moment) Peter is reading a book now How and when we can use the Present Continuous for the future. She's staying with her friend for a week. Today, most people are using text messages instead of the phone. The present continuous tense is used to talk about something that is currently happening in an ongoing way, generally for a finite period of time - think of it as something that is going on. For resources on all verb tenses, visit our page on the 12 English Verb Tenses. The present perfect continuous usually emphasizes duration, or the amount of time that an action has been taking place. The following table illustrates the proper use of verb tenses: These verbs should remain in the simple present tense. As with all tenses in English, the speaker's attitude is as important as the time of the action or event. The present continuous tense is used to refer to actions or situations that are happening now, at this moment. You can see different meanings of the present continuous and how to use them in English. “When we arrive at the airport, we are taking a private car direct to the hotel.”. 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