Present Continuous
We use the Present Continuous tense to talk about:
You're reading this sentence right now.
Can you turn down the music? I'm studying.
I'm reading an interesting book about the Second World War these days.
He's workingon a new project this week, so he can't accept our job offer.
Let's take a look at the different forms of the Present Continuous tense for the verb "work".
POSITIVE STATEMENTS
I am / I'm working.
You are / You're working.
He is / He's working.
She is / She's working.
It is / It's working.
We are / We're working.
You are / You're working.
They are / They're working.
NEGATIVE STATEMENTS
I am / I'm not working
You are not / aren't working.
He is not / isn't working.
She is not / isn't working.
It is not / isn't working.
We are not / aren't working.
You are not / aren't working.
They are not / aren't working.
POSITIVE QUESTIONS
Am I working?
Are you working?
Is he working?
Is she working?
Is it working?
Are we working?
Are you working?
Are they working?
NEGATIVE QUESTIONS
Am I not working?
Are you not / Aren't you working?
Is he not / Isn't he working?
Is she not / Isn't she working?
Is it not / Isn't it working?
Are we not / Aren't we working?
Are you not / Aren't you working?
Are they not / Aren't they working?
SHORT ANSWERS
Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
Yes, you are. / No, you aren't.
Yes, he is. / No, he isn't.
Yes, she is. / No, she isn't.
Yes, it is. / No, it isn't.
Yes, we are. / No, we aren't.
Yes, you are. / No, you aren't.
Yes, they are. / No, they aren't.
As you can see, we use the auxiliary verbs "am", "is" or "are" to make negative sentences and questions in the Present Continuous tense.
+He is / He's sleeping.
-He is not / isn't sleeping.
+?Is he sleeping?
-?Is he not / Isn't he sleeping?
Yes, he is. / No, he isn't.
+They are / They're watching TV.
-They are not / aren't watching TV.
+?Are they watching TV?
-?Are they not / Aren't they watching TV?
Yes, they are. / No, they aren't.
When a verb ends in an "e", we drop the final "e" before adding "-ing".
dance + ingdancing
make + ingmaking
When a verb ends in "ie", we change the "ie" to "y" before adding "-ing".
diedying
lielying
When a one-syllable verb ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) pattern, we double the final consonant before adding "-ing", except when the verb ends in "x", "y" or "w".
sitsitting
runrunning
but
fixfixing
playplaying
rowrowing
Exercises
Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verbs in parentheses in the Present Continuous. Use contractions where possible.
1.They ____ for the school play this week. (practice)
They're practicing for the school play this week.
2.We ____ our summer holdiay right now. (plan)
We're planning our summer holiday right now.
3.I ____ this week because I'm trying to save money. (eat out)
I'm not eating outthis week because I'm trying to save money.
4.He seems so busy. ____ he ____ for his exams these days? (study)
He seems so busy. Is he studying for his exams these days?
5.They aren't at home at the moment. They ____ around the country. (travel)
They aren't at home at the moment. They're traveling around the country.