Present Continuous Tense - Structure, Rule, Examples, Exercises

I am planning to go on a trip this weekend. My two friends and I are coming along. We are arranging our stay in a 5-star resort to chill and recuperate from our tiring schedules. So many ‘ing’ ending verbs, what does it suggest? Some planning is going on, which means ‘present continuous tense’.

What is Present Continuous Tense?

Tenses form the biggest part of English grammar, and without tenses, it is also impossible to determine the time of action. A type of the present tense, the present continuous tense suggests an ongoing action. So, if you are jogging, reading, or even writing, these actions are all ongoing, suggesting present continuous tense. 

Present Continuous Tense Examples

• I am going to study at MIT.
• We are driving to the metro station.
• She is sitting idly in the class.
• He is brewing some fresh coffee for the guests.
• You are starting lunch before time again today. 

Thus, to define any ongoing action within a particular moment or time is the present continuous tense. Present Continuous as the name suggests, is an action that is going on continuously in the present. 

Structure of Present Continuous Tense

The structure of the present continuous tense can be better understood from the following sections. Check out the present continuous rule and how present continuous sentences are formed in negative, interrogative and negative-interrogative sentences. Identifying present continuous is simple - when an action is recurring or in action in the present tense that is present continuous. Wherever applicants see - is/am/are + ing suffixed to the verb, an action is happening continuously or in the present. This is how present tense structure is formed, identified and used in certain contexts. 

Present Continuous Tense Rule & Usage

Did you notice something different in the examples given above? Did you see that a helping verb describes the action verb? So here goes the present continuous tense rule:

Present Continuous Tense Rule: S + [helping verb (am, is, are) + ing form of V] + O 

In simpler words - the present continuous rule goes like this - the subject is followed by the verb (in its ‘ing’ form) preceded by a helping verb and then the rest of the sentence follows. 

Subject (S)	Helping Verb	Verb (ing) Form in Present Continuous
I	am	sleeping
You	are	sleeping
She	is	sleeping
He	is	sleeping
They	are	sleeping
It	is	sleeping
We	are	sleeping

So present continuous tense sentences go like this based on the structure given above:

• I (S) am going (helping verb & V+ing) tomorrow (O). 
• You (S) are coming (helping verb & V+ing) tonight (O).
• He/she (S) is writing (helping verb & V+ing) his/her exam (O).
• We (S) are partying (helping verb & V+ing) this week (O). 
• Arun (S) is trekking (helping verb + V+ing) today (O).

As given above, the ongoing action verb requires a helping verb and an ‘ing’ (present participle) to show that the action is still ongoing. 

Note: The easiest way to learn present continuous tense is to remember that the helping verb changes with the subject but the ‘ing’ form of the verb remains the same. The spellings of verbs may or may not change after adding an 'ing' to the verb. For example: change - changing, travel - travelling, lie - lying, etc. 

Remember, the 'ing' is used in progressive verb tenses with auxiliary verbs (helping verbs), and in simpler words in present continuous (progressive) tenses. 

Check out:

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Present Continuous Tense Use Across Different Sentence Types

There are different types of sentences in English grammar. In this section, we will understand how present continuous tense is used across different types of sentences. 

Sentence Types in Present Continuous	Negative Sentences	Interrogative Sentences	Negative - Interrogative Sentences
Rule Followed	S + [helping V + not + (V+ing)] + O (helping verb can be merged with negation for eg: are not, aren’t, is not, isn’t)	Helping V + S + (V+ing) + O	Helping V + Negation + S + (V+ing) O? Or Helping V + S + Negation + (V+ing) + O?
Examples	I am not going to the party. She is not going to the party. Or She isn’t going to the party.	Are you going to the party? Is she going to the party?	Aren’t you going to the party? Or  Are you not going to the party? + Isn’t she going to the party? Or  Is she not going to the party?

The present continuous tense structure uses the present participle (ing+V) along with a helping verb. Based on the above present continuous tense sentences, this is how the sentences look when used in negation, interrogation, and negative-interrogative. Also check out the definition, use and examples of other present tenses:

1. Simple Present Tense
2. Present Perfect Tense
3. Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Where is Present Continuous Tense Used?

The Present Continuous Tense is used across five major happenings. Each of them has been explained below in the table for reference along with examples:

Use Case Scenario of Present Continuous	Action Happening	Examples
Present Continuous Tense Use Case 1:	Actions happening right now	I am going to see the doctor. We are ordering apple pie, do you want to try some? She is saying that she doesn’t like these clothes.
Present Continuous Tense Use Case 2:	Actions happening around now	She is cleaning the house today, as promised. We are learning a new language. I am helping you with your assignment for the last time now.
Present Continuous Tense Use Case 3:	Temporary actions that are happening now	She is sorting her wardrobe, and after that, she can go to the mall. I am going to 24/7 to buy some goat cheese. They are exercising in the newly opened gym .
Present Continuous Tense Use Case 4:	Future plans with specific arrangements	We are sitting on this project tomorrow for a rejig. I am drinking this latte again tonight, it smells divine. The day after tomorrow we are going on an excursion from school.
Present Continuous Tense Use Case 5:	Describing ongoing events of importance	The voters are beginning to cast their votes at the voting centre. The public is protesting over the law today in different parts of Delhi. The work pressure is increasing with every new project.

Understanding the use of the present continuous tense is easy. Let us take a few more examples of present continuous tense for a better understanding:

1. The girls are rehearsing their lines for the play. 
2. The rock band are playing the newly launched bass guitar.
3. I am taking a break from my job for the time being.
4. We are opening another branch of our salon in your block soon.
5. Nowadays, people are spending 90% of their time on their phones.
6. Eye problems are increasing at an alarming rate among youngsters.
7. I am calling Sophie on her phone, but she is not answering my calls. 
8. We are preparing dinner for 25 people to celebrate Dad's birthday tonight.
9. I am helping my mom with her assignment checking.
10. Look how she is mixing different colours to make a multicoloured wax gel candle. 

Based on the above table, mark these sentences based on which present continuous tense case is used. Write to us in the comments below and tell us how many you got right.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Present Continuous Tense

Present Continuous Tense use can be confused in some cases while preparing for the IELTS syllabus. Here’s a list of common mistakes to avoid when using the present continuous tense:

1. Mistake Type 1: Do not Forget the ‘ing’ Ending:

Example: I am eat the whole portion. (Incorrect) 

Fix: I am eating the whole portion.

2. Mistake Type 2: Use the correct form of the verb "to be"

Example: He is studying for his exams. (Incorrect) 

Fix: with he only ‘is’ can be used, so the correct conjugation will be - he ‘is studying’ for his exams.

3. Mistake Type 3: Do not confuse Simple Present with Present Continuous

Example: The sun is rising from the east. (Incorrect) 

Fix: This is a universal truth that the sun ‘rises’ in the east direction, more like a habit. And for habits, simple present is used not present continuous. 

4. Mistake Type 4: Stative Verbs do not change form in the present continuous

Example: I am knowing the schedule for tomorrow. 

Fix: There is a list of stative words in English which do not change their form, and they describe a state or even a perception. So when stative verbs like these are used, they are used in simple present tense and do not add an ‘ing’ at the end. The correct usage is “I know the schedule for tomorrow.”

Note: Some of the commonly used stative verbs are as follows:

Categories	Stative Verbs
Mental States	believe, doubt, guess, imagine, know, mean, recognize, remember, suspect, think, understand
Emotions	dislike, hate, like, love, prefer, want, wish
Senses	appear (seem), look, smell, taste
Possession	belong, have (to possess), own
Measurements	cost, measure, weigh
Others	be (exist), depend on, need, owe, seem

5. Mistake Type 5: Incorrect Spelling of Present Participles

Example: We are runing a marathon today.

Fix: Some spellings of the verbs change when an ‘ing’ is added to them. The verbs ending with ‘e’ are replaced by an ‘ing’ like choose becomes choosing and there can be cases where a consonant doubles with ‘ing’ use like run becomes running. So ‘We are running a marathon today.’

Avoiding these common mistakes will help students in acing the present continuous tense. Check out the following section for more examples and some brain-teasing exercises to test your knowledge of the present continuous tense. 

Present Continuous Examples Before Practice

Before beginning with the present continuous tense exercises, the following are some more examples to help you gain an in-depth knowledge of the present continuous tense. 

10 Sample Sentences of Present Continuous Tense

1. I am planning to apply for US university admissions.
2. Are you learning grammar rules in English period? 
3. We are discussing the plan of action for the next meeting. 
4. Isn’t he meeting his boss today for the next plan?
5. She is yawning in the class constantly. 
6. I am investing to finance my education abroad. 
7. The kids are rocking the cradle together and are watching over the baby. 
8. He is presenting his research paper in class right now. 
9. We aren’t going for the annual awards this time. 
10. I am sewing my torn shirt with the new machine. 

Present Continuous Tense Exercises

Based on the present continuous examples and rules given above, its now time to practice!  

Present Continuous Tense Exercises for Beginner Level

1. We ......... (eat) lunch right now. 
2. She ......... (read) a book in the garden.
3. They ......... (listen in negative) to the music. (not paying attention right now)
4. ......... it ......... (rain) outside?
5. I ......... (learn) English from your teacher.
6. They ......... (run) a marathon at the club. 
7. The sun ......... (set) beautifully.
8. ......... you ......... (wait) for the bus?
9. We ......... (clean) the house this afternoon. 
10. My friend ......... (visit) me from another country.

Answers:

1. are eating	2. is reading	3. are not listening	4. Is | raining	5. am learning
6. are running	7. is setting	8. Are | waiting	9. are cleaning	10. is visiting

Present Continuous Tense Exercises for Intermediate Level

1. We ......... (brainstorm) new ideas for the project deadline. 
2. She ......... (feeling in negation) well, so she's skipping her workout today.
3. The delivery person ......... (bring) our groceries right now.
4. ......... you ......... (consider) a career change? 
5. The famous painter, Ms. Dey ......... (exhibit) her work at the gallery this month.
6. They ......... (argue) again! 
7. I ......... (improve) my French daily with help from my French teacher.
8. What ......... you ......... (work) on this weekend? 
9. The new restaurant down the street ......... (get) good reviews.
10. We ......... (rely - negation) solely on luck; we're putting in the hard work. 

Answers: 

1. We're / are brainstorming	2. She's / is not feeling	3. is bringing	4. Are | considering	5. is exhibiting
6. They're / are arguing	7. I'm / am improving	8. Are | working	9. is getting	10. We're / are not relying

Also Read:

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IELTS Writing Section Tips	IELTS Speaking Section Tips

Present Continuous Tense Exercises for Advanced Level

1. Our team ......... (research) on a groundbreaking experiment that will bring a big revolution in the field.
2. As the deadline ......... (approach), managers ......... (motivate) everyone in their teams to work harder.
3. The government ......... (facing) increasing pressure to address the climate crisis.
4. The negotiation process ......... (prove) to be more complex than anticipated.
5. The family reunion ......... (take) place next month in Hawaii.
6. ......... (be) we ......... (witness) a paradigm shift in the way we approach education?
7. Despite the criticism, the company ......... (hold) firm to its controversial decision.
8. ......... (be) you ......... (consider) a career change, or are you happy in your current position?
9. These days ......... (be - negation) everyone ......... (use) their phones aimlessly? 
10. Public opinion ......... (lean) towards stricter regulations on social media.

Answers:

1. is researching	2. is approaching | are motivating	3. is facing	4. is proving	5. is taking
6. Are | witnessing	7. is holding	8. Are | considering	9. isn’t | using	10. is leaning

Understanding present continuous is the easiest among other types of present tense forms. Anything that is going on or is happening at the moment can be easily identified as present and continuous. Thus, students will not have a problem understanding the usage of present continuous when they read the examples again and again. Students who are preparing for IELTS can use some materials to learn for free through Shiksha's Free Online IELTS Training. This will help them learn faster and more conveniently.