Present Progressive (Continuous)
We use the present progressive to talk about temporary actions and situations that are going on now or around now: before, during and after the moment of speaking and as well to talk about future fixed plans, personal arrangements, normally with time expresssion.
Table of Contents
1.Structures
1.1Structures of Sentences
To form the present progressive tense, follow these basic rules
S = Subject
QW = question word
Ving = main verb + ing
| Structure | Examples | |
|---|---|---|
| + | S + be (am/is/are) + Ving + ... | I am listening to you carefully. He is reading an interesting book at the moment. |
| - | S + be (am/is/are) + not + Ving + ... | We are not visiting him next week. She isn’t meeting him tonight. |
| ? | (QW) + be (am/is/are) + S + Ving + ...? | Where are you meeting on Saturday? Are you meeting on Saturday? |
Practice Examples
He (teach) _____ his boy to ride.
What (Tom / do) _____ ? He (clean) _____ his shoes.
The airplane (fly) _____ at 2000 metres.
1.2Rules for Adding -ing in Present Progressive
| Rule | Examples |
|---|---|
| Regular Verbs | play → playing, read → reading |
| Verbs Ending in Silent "e" | make → making, write → writing |
| Single Vowel + Single Consonant | run → running, begin → beginning |
| Do not double if stress is elsewhere | visit → visiting, develop -> developing |
| Verbs Ending in "ie" | lie → lying, die → dying |
| Verbs Ending in "y" | enjoy → enjoying, play → playing |
| Verbs Ending in "w", "x", or "y" | fix → fixing, show → showing |
2.Use
2.1Action in progress now
Actions in progress right now, at the current moment of time
often with right now, currently, now, at the moment etc
| Example |
|---|
| I am studying for my final exams currently. |
| She is reading a book at this moment. |
| They are playing football in the park right now. |
Practice Examples
I (read) _____ for my final exams currently.
They (play) _____ video games in the living room right now.
The children (draw) _____ pictures on the wall at the moment
2.2Action around now
We use the present progressive to talk about temporary actions and situations that are going on around now: before, during and after the moment of speaking.
| Example |
|---|
| I am staying with my friend for a few days. |
| She is working from home this week. |
| They are building a house near our neighborhood this year. |
| I am learning to drive. (not right now, but the process itself is going on) |
Practice Examples
I (take) _____ a short vacation right now, visiting some nearby cities.
They (explore) _____ different vacation spots at the moment for their summer holiday plans.
We (look) _____ for a new apartment right now, as our lease is almost up.
2.3Future plans
We use the present progressive to talk about future actions and events, fixed plans (normally with the time expression → this evening, on Saturday, next week etc)
| Example |
|---|
| I'm seeing Sam on Monday. |
| We're travelling round Mexico next spring. |
| - What are you doing this evening? - I am washing my hair. |
| Get your coat on! I am taking you down to the doctor! |
Practice Examples
My parents (travel) _____ to Paris this week.
He (meet) _____ his client for lunch on Wednesday to finalize the contract.
He (start) _____ a new job next week.
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