The Present Continuous
We use the Present Continuous tense to talk about:
Examples:
You're reading this sentence right now.
Can you turn down the music? I'm studying.
Examples:
I'm reading an interesting book about the Second World War these days.
He's working on a new project this week, so he can't accept our job offer.
Let's take a look at the different forms of the Present Continuous tense for the verb "work".
Positive
I am / I'm working ... .
You are / You're working ... .
He is / He's working ... .
She is / She's working ... .
It is / It's working ... .
We are / We're working ... .
You are / You're working ... .
They are / They're working ... .
Negative
I am not working ... . / I'm not working ... .
You are not working ... . / You aren't working ... .
He is not working ... . / He isn't working ... .
She is not working ... . / She isn't working ... .
It is not working ... . / It isn't working ... .
We are not working ... . / We aren't working ... .
You are not working ... . / You aren't working ... .
They are not working ... . / They aren't working ... .
Positive Questions
Am I working ... ?
Are you working ... ?
Is he working ... ?
Is she working ... ?
Is it working ... ?
Are we working ... ?
Are you working ... ?
Are they working ... ?
Negative Questions
Am I not working ...?
Are you not working ... ? / Aren't you working ... ?
Is he not working ... ? / Isn't he working ... ?
Is she not working ... ? / Isn't she working ... ?
Is it not working ... ? / Isn't it working ... ?
Are we not working ... ? / Aren't we working ... ?
Are you not working ... ? / Aren't you working ... ?
Are they not working ... ? / Aren't they working ... ?
Short Answers
Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
Yes, you are. / No, you aren't.
Yes, he is. / No, he isn't.
Yes, she is. / No, she isn't.
Yes, it is. / No, it isn't.
Yes, we are. / No, we aren't.
Yes, you are. / No, you aren't.
Yes, they are. / No, they aren't.
As you can see, we use the auxiliary verbs "am", "is" or "are" to make negative sentences and questions in the Present Continuous tense.
Examples:
+She's sleeping.
-She isn't sleeping.
+?Is she sleeping?
-?Isn't she sleeping? / Is she not sleeping?
Yes, she is. / No, she isn't.
+They're watching TV.
-They aren't watching TV.
+?Are they watching TV?
-?Aren't they watching TV? / Are they not watching TV?
Yes, they are. / No, they aren't.
When a verb ends in an "e", we drop the final "e" before adding "-ing".
Examples:
make
making
dancedancing
When a verb ends in "ie", we change the "ie" to "y" before adding "-ing".
Examples:
diedying
lielying
When a one-syllable verb ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) pattern, we double the final consonant before adding "-ing", except when the verb ends in "x", "y" or "w".
Examples:
runrunning
sitsitting
but
fixfixing
playplaying
rowrowing
Exercises
Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verbs in parentheses in the Present Continuous. Use contractions where possible.
1They ____ for the school play this week. (practice)
They're practicing for the school play this week.
2We ____ our summer holdiay right now. (plan)
We're planning our summer holiday right now.
3I ____ this week because I'm trying to save money. (eat out)
I'm not eating out this week because I'm trying to save money.
4He seems so busy. ____ he ____ for his exams these days? (study)
He seems so busy. Is he studying for his exams these days?
5They aren't at home at the moment. They ____ around the country. (travel)
They aren't at home at the moment. They're traveling around the country.