Present Continuous

Table showing the Present Continuous tense in use.

Present Continuous (positive, negative, questions)

+	She is eating lunch.	They are playing soccer.
-	She isn’t eating lunch.	They aren’t playing soccer.
yes/no?	Is she eating lunch?	Are they playing soccer?
'wh'?	What is she eating?	What are they playing?

1.1 Use Present Simple to talk about habits and routines. Use Present Continuous to talk about the actions happening right now.

Examples

• I watch my favourite TV series at 7. (a habit) 

• It’s 7 o’clock now and I am watching my favourite TV series. (it is happening right now)

I drink coffee in the mornings. (a habit)

It is morning and I am drinking coffee now. (it is happening right now)

Chart showing the Present Continuous tense in use.

Present Continuous (positive, negative, questions)

+	She is eating lunch.	They are playing soccer.
-	She isn’t eating lunch.	They aren’t playing soccer.
yes/no?	Is she eating lunch?	Are they playing soccer?
'wh'?	What is she eating?	What are they playing?

1.1 Use Present Continuous for events at the time of speaking.

Examples

She is eating lunch now.

They are playing soccer at the moment.

1.2 Use Present Continuous to describe temporary actions or situations.

Examples

I’m living with my cousin this month.

He is working on a special project this week.

1.3 Use Present Continuous to talk about fixed plans or arrangements in the near future.

Examples

We are meeting our friends tonight.

She is flying to New York tomorrow. 

1.4 Use the Present Continuous to describe situations that are in progress and changing over time. This suggests that the situation is temporary or developing.

Examples

More people are working remotely these days.

The weather is getting warmer each week.

Technology is evolving faster than ever.

1.5 Use the Present Continuous with adverbs «always» and «constantly» to show annoyance about someone’s repeated behaviour. 

Examples

He's always forgetting his keys!

They’re constantly arguing over small things.

She’s always borrowing my things without asking.