Present Continuous Tense
It is used to express a continued or ongoing action at present time. It
expresses an action which is in progress at the time of speaking. For example,
a person says, “I am writing a letter”. It means that he is in the process of
writing a letter right now. Such actions which are happening at time of
speaking are expressed by present continuous tense. Present Continuous tense is
also called Present progressive tense.
Rules.
Auxiliary verb “am, is, are” is
used in sentence.
1st form of verb or base verb +
ing (present participle) is used as main verb in sentence.
Structure
of sentence
Positive Sentence
• Subject + auxiliary verb +
main verb-ing (Present participle) + object
• Subject + am/is/are + (1st
form of verb or base verb + ing) + object
If the subject is “I” then auxiliary verb “am” is used after subject in
sentence.
If the subject is “He, She, It, singular or proper name” then auxiliary
verb “is” is used after subject in sentence.
If subject is “You, They or plural” then auxiliary verb “are” is used
after subject in sentence.
The participle “ing” is added to the 1st form of verb i.e. going (go)
writing (write)
Examples
I am playing cricket.
He is driving a car
They are reading their
lessons.
Negative Sentence
• Subject + auxiliary verb + not + main
verb-ing (Present participle) + object
• Subject + am/is/are + not
+ (1st form of verb + ing) + object
Rules for using auxiliary verbs (am or is or are) after subject in
negative sentences are same as mentioned above.
Examples.
- I am not playing cricket.
- He is not driving a car
- They are not reading their lessons.
Interrogative Sentences
• Auxiliary verb + Subject
+ main verb-ing (Present participle) + object
• Am/is/are + Subject +
(1st form of verb or base verb + ing) + object
For making interrogative sentences, the sentence is started with
auxiliary verb rather than putting auxiliary verb inside the sentence. If the
subject is “I” the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “am”. If the subject is
“He, She, It, singular or proper name” the sentence starts with auxiliary verb
“is”. If subject is “You, They or plural” the sentence starts with auxiliary
verb “are”.
Examples.
- Am I playing cricket?
- Is he driving a car?
- Are they reading their lessons?