The present continuous (or progressive)
How would you talk about something that’s happening in the moment, like right . . . now . . . or . . . now?
I am eating a sandwich right now.
She is leaving for work at 7 am tomorrow.
They is playing football.
He are studying diligently.
If I’m not already being too on the nose: I’m sitting and writing (read: typing) an article about the present continuous tense, while communicating using the present continuous tense. If this isn’t present continuous tense inception, then I’m not sure what is!
When to use the present continuous
The present continuous (also called present progressive) is a form of the present tense that’s one of the most regularly used amongst all of the 12 tenses (in our view). Its purpose is to describe something that’s ongoing or in progress at the time of speaking, but we use the present continuous in a number of other ways as well. Take a look:
To describe something that’s occurring at that moment:
- I’m cooking dinner right now, so please excuse the noise.
- Why are you behaving this way?
Future plans, intentions or arrangements:
- I am flying to Germany in three weeks.
- When are you graduating from university?
- We are moving to another state next month.
Present continuous verb agreement, associate the correct verb endings (“-ing” + “is” or “are”) with the subject pronoun.
How to form the present continuous
We form the present continuous combining a form of [to be] + present participle (verb form ending in –ing).
Read more about verbs
- Forms of “To Be”
- What Are Auxiliary Verbs?
- What is the Present Tense? (Forms of the Present Tense)
- The Future Tense (4 Forms of the Future Tense)
- What’s the Present Perfect Tense?
- What is the Past Tense? (Forms of the Past Tense)
- What’s a Participle? (Present Participle vs. Past Participles)
Sources
- P.C. Wren, High School English Grammar and Composition.
- Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of continuous.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/continuous. Accessed 16 February, 2024.
Worksheet
According to the post, what is one main use of the present continuous tense?
Besides actions happening right now, what other usage of the present continuous is mentioned in the post?
Which of these sentences, used as an example in the post, correctly uses the present continuous for an action happening at the moment?
How is the present continuous tense formed, according to the blog post?
The blog post highlights subject-verb agreement as a common mistake. Which auxiliary verb should be used with the subject “They” in the present continuous?
Complete the sentence with the correct present continuous form based on the common mistake example: They football.
Complete the sentence with the correct present continuous form based on the common mistake example: He diligently.
Complete the sentence using the present continuous for an action happening now: I dinner right now.
Complete the sentence using the present continuous for a future plan mentioned in the post: We to another state next month.
The present participle form of a verb used in the present continuous ends with which letters?
FAQs
What is present continuous tense?
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When is present continuous used?
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Can present continuous be future?
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How is present continuous formed?
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What are mistakes with present continuous?
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Yash, D. "What’s the Present Continuous in Grammar?." Grammarflex, Jun 25, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/whats-the-present-continuous-in-grammar/.
