Present Continuous Tense| Use, Rules, Formula, Examples
Present Continuous Tense or Present Progressing Tense can be explained as that type of present tense in which Verb is used to indicate continuous/progressing actions of the present time. It means that actions that are started during the present time and still going on during the present time, are explained in the Present Continuous Tense.
Rule to form Present Continuous Tense Sentences
To form Present Continuous Tense Sentences, follow the following rules.
- First, write the Subject of the continuous action.
- Then, write the helping verb “is/are/am”, according to the respective Singular and Plural Number Nouns and Pronouns.
- Then, write the 1st Verb by adding “ing” to the 1st Verb.
- Then, write the “Object”, on which the Subject is doing something.
- Then, write the remaining words, if there are any.
Helping Verbs of Present Continuous Tense
Present Continuous Tense Sentences use the following 3 helping verbs with respective Singular & Plural Number Nouns and Pronouns to indicate the progressing/continuous actions of the present time.
“Is” As Helping Verb in Present Continuous Tense
“Is” is used as a helping verb in Present Continuous Tense with Singular Number Nouns and Pronouns(He, she, it), to indicate the present progressive/continuous actions. So, progressing actions that are performed by the singular nouns and pronouns, have the following Sentence Structure.
He/She/It/Singular Number Nouns+ is+ 1st Verb+ ing+ Object+ Remaining Words
“Are” As Helping Verb in the Present Continuous Tense
“Are” is used as a helping verb with Plural Number Nouns and Pronouns(We, You, They) to indicate the progressing actions of the present time. So, actions that are performed by Plural Number Nouns and Pronouns have the following Sentence Structure.
We/You/They/Plural Nouns+ are+ 1st Verb+ ing+ Object+ Remaining Words
“Am” As Helping Verb in Present Continuous Tense
“Am” is used as a helping verb with only 1st Person Personal Pronoun “I”. Thus, progressing actions that are performed by 1st Person Personal Pronoun have the following Sentence Structure formula.
I+ am+ 1st Verb+ ing+ Object+Remaining Words
Sentence Structure of Present Continuous Tense
Assertive, Negative, Interrogative, and Negative-Interrogative Sentences of Present Continuous Tense have the following Sentence Structure formulas.
Assertive Sentence Structure of Present Continuous Tense
Assertive Sentences of Present Continuous Tense use “is/are/am” as a helping verb with 1st Verb, and the addition of “ing” to the 1st Verb. So, Assertive Sentences of Present Continuous Tense have the following Sentence Structure.
He/She/It/I/We/You/They/Singular & Plural Nouns+is/are/am+1st Verb+ing+Object+Remaining Words
Examples of Assertive Sentence Structure of Present Continuous Tense
Following are some examples of Assertive Sentences of Present Continuous Tense.
- I am finishing my report right now.
- We are planning our vacation for next month.
- You are learning to play the guitar this semester.
- They are preparing dinner for the whole family.
- He is running every morning to stay fit.
- She is studying for her exams at the library.
- The kids are watching their favorite TV show.
- We are renovating the house this summer.
- They are working on a new project at the office.
- I am organizing a charity event for the weekend.
Negative Sentence Structure of Present Continuous Tense
Negative Sentences of Present Continuous Tense use “not” with helping verbs “is/are/am”, to indicate the negativity of the progressing actions. Thus, Negative Sentences of Present Continuous Tense have the following Sentence Structural formula.
Examples of Negative Sentence Structure of Present Continuous Tense
Following are some examples of Negative Sentences of Present Continuous Tense.
- I am not watching a documentary on space exploration.
- We are not planning a surprise party for her birthday.
- You are not watching a documentary on space exploration.
- They are not building a new playground at the park.
- He is not taking guitar lessons this month.
- She is not cooking dinner while listening to music.
- The company is not expanding its operations into new markets.
- They are not discussing the project details in the meeting room.
- I am not working on a new design for the website.
- The children are not playing outside in the yard.
Interrogative Sentence Structure of Present Continuous Tense
Interrogative Sentences of Present Continuous Tense uses “is/are/am” as a helping verb at the start of Interrogative Sentences to indicate the interrogative/questionability nature of the progressing actions. So, Interrogative Sentences of Present Continuous Tense have the following Sentence Structure formula.
Examples of Interrogative Sentence Structure of Present Continuous Tense
Following are some examples of Interrogative Sentences of Present Continuous Tense.
- Am I baking a cake for the party?
- Are we watching a movie at the cinema?
- Are you typing an email to your colleague?
- Are they decorating the house for the holiday?
- Is he jogging in the park every morning?
- Is she practicing yoga to improve her flexibility?
- Is he reading a new novel before bed?
- Are the students taking notes during the lecture?
- Are they renovating their kitchen this month?
- Are the dogs playing in the backyard?
Negative-Interrogative Sentence Structure of Present Continuous Tense
Negative-Interrogative Sentences of Present Continuous Tense uses “is/are/am” as a helping verb at the start of sentences to show the interrogative nature of the progressing actions, and “not” comes after the subject of the progressing action sentences, to show the negativity. Thus, Negative-Interrogative Sentences of Present Continuous Tense have the following Sentence Structure formula.
Examples of Negative-Interrogative Sentence Structure of Present Continuous Tense
Following are some examples of Negative-Interrogative Sentences of Present Continuous Tense.
- Is I not studying for my final exams this week?
- Are we not traveling to Japan for our vacation?
- Are you not writing a letter to your old friend?
- Are they not fixing his bike in the garage?
- Is he not enjoying a picnic in the park this afternoon?
- Is she not preparing for the upcoming competition?
- Is she not designing a new logo for the company?
- Are they not rehearsing their lines for the school play?
- Am I not cleaning the house before the guests arrive?
- Is the cat not napping on the windowsill?
Present Continuous Tense-Passive Voice
Present Continuous Tense or Present Progressing Tense Sentences can be converted to Passive Voice form, just by follow the rules mentioned in the article:
