Present Continuous (Progressive) for Beginners

Read the following interview using the present continuous (progressive) tense

On the telephone

Tracy: Hello, can I speak to Alex.
Alex: This is Alex, who is speaking?
Tracy: Hi, this is Tracy.
Alex: Hi Tracy. What are you doing?
Tracy: Oh, I'm just watching TV. What are you doing?
Alex: Well, I'm cooking dinner.
Tracy: What are you cooking?
Alex: I'm baking some potatoes, boiling some carrots and grilling a steak.
Tracy: It sounds delicious.
Alex: What are you doing for dinner tonight?
Tracy: Well, I don't have any plans...
Alex: Would you like to come over for dinner?
Tracy: Oh, I'd love to. Thanks.
Alex: Great. Mary and Jack are also coming. They are arriving at seven.
Tracy: OK, I'll be there at seven, too.
Alex: OK, see you then. Bye.
Tracy: Bye.

Take a look at the following conjugation chart. Notice from the above dialogue and following chart that the present continuous (progressive) is used to describe what is happening at the moment. It is also used to describe a plan in the near future (this evening, next week, on Saturday, etc.). The present continuous (progressive) is often used with: now, at the moment, today, this morning - afternoon - evening.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• The present continuous (progressive) is used only with action verbs. Example: I am working at the moment NOT I am believing you.
• The present continuous (progressive) is also used to describe an action which is happening around this moment: Example: I'm reading 'Just in Time' this week. I'm not reading the book at this particular moment, but around this time.

Examples	Usage
What are you cooking? Tom is studying for his exams at the moment. It isn't raining now. We can go outside.	Actions happening at the present moment.
What are you doing this weekend? I'm meeting Peter tomorrow morning. We're driving to Albany this weekend.	Planned future events (usually in the near future)
We're currently working on the Smith account. What classes are you taking this semester? We're studying Greek history this month.	Actions or events happening around the present moment.

Structure

In the positive form, follow the form S To be Verb -ing. Remember that you need to conjugate the auxiliary verb 'to be'. I am (I'm) You are (You're) He, She, It is (He's, She's, It's) We, You, They are (We're, You're, They're) eating lunch at noon.

Conjugate the helping verb 'To Be' Not Verb - ing to form negatives. I am not (I'm not) You are not (You aren't) He, She, It is not (He, She, It isn't We, You, They are not (We, You, They aren't) coming this evening.

Conjugate the helping verb 'To Be' S Verb - ing in question forms. Are you we they listening to me? Is he she it listening to me?

Write the correct form of each sentence or question in the present continuous (progressive). Click on the arrow to see the answer.

• He -- is reading (read) a book at the moment.
• We -- are visiting (visit) our friends this evening.
• They -- are working on the Brown account this month.
• I -- am not watching (not/watch)TV, I -- am working (work)!
• What -- are you doing (you do) this evening?
• Where -- is she staying (she/stay)?

Write some sentences to describe what you and your friends are doing now, tonight and currently (around this moment)!

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