Present Continuous Tense

Present Continuous Tense

and why do we use them

What it actually is

The present continuous is made from the present tense of the verb be and the –ing form of a verb:

Multiple Select

What happens to the verb in this sentence below:

I am _ (do) my homework right now.

• do

• does

• doing

Present Continuous Tense

We use the present continuous to talk about:

activities at the moment of speaking:

I'm just leaving work. I'll be home in an hour.

Please be quiet. The children are sleeping.

Multiple Choice

We _ (be eat) laksa at the new coffee shop.

• eating

• is eating

• are eating

• eats

Present Continuous Tense (questions)

We make questions by putting am, is or are in front of the subject:

Are you listening?

Are they coming to your party?

When is she going home?

What am I doing here?

We also use the present continuous to talk about:

something which is happening before and after a specific time:

At eight o'clock we are usually having breakfast.

When I get home the children are doing their homework.

something which happens again and again:

It's always raining in London.

They are always arguing.

George is great. He's always laughing.

We normally use the simple instead:

I understand you. (NOT I am understanding you.)

This cake tastes wonderful. (NOT This cake is tasting wonderful.)

The difference

Let's try some questions.

Multiple Select

I am not doing that.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

I waiting for my friends from the book club.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Are you going to continue working on your homework?

• Correct

• Incorrect

That's all!

I will see you again, soon.