Learn about Present Continuous
We use the present continuous for:
1. Actions in progress now - they started before now, and are not finished.
I am eating an apple.
2. Temporary situations - it is true now, but maybe not happening at the moment of speaking. You know it will change in the future.
I am eating a lot of bananas these days.
We use be + verb-ing to make this structure. When speaking, remember to use contractions to sound more natural:
I am => I'm
He is => He's
We are => We're
| Positive | Negative | Question | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | I'm eating. | I'm not eating. | Am I eating? |
| You We They |
We're eating. | We aren't eating. | Are we eating? |
| He She It |
He's eating. | He isn't eating. | Is he eating? |
Advanced uses of the present continuous:
Annoying habits: We usually use present simple for habits or repeated actions. However, you can use the present continuous with 'always' if you want to show that you are annoyed or amused by a habit.
You're always losing your wallet!
To tell anecdotes: Usually we use past tenses to tell stories, but sometimes we use present simple and continuous to make it more exciting.
So, last night, I'm walking down the street, and I see a tall man, and he says to me ...
Present Continuous Practice