Unlocking the English Tenses Lesson 9: Present Progressive (continuous)

Welcome back, language learners! Today we'll have a look at the present progressive tense (subject + is/are + ing) and how it can be used to describe current events.

Uses

1. Annoying habits

"Rob is always going on and on about his ex - it's so annoying!"

2. Things in progress at this very moment

"I'm sitting at my desk as I write this post."

"The sun is shining really strongly today."

3. Things in progress at this time, but only temporarily

"Right now I'm living with my parents, but I'm moving out next month."

"At the moment, I am studying French, but I will switch to German next year."

4. To describe confirmed future plans

"I'm going to Spain next week; I just bought my ticket."

Structure (example sentence: I am waiting for the bus.)

Positive form (+)

I am waiting for the bus

You are waiting for the bus

He is waiting for the bus

She is waiting for the bus

It is waiting for the bus

Harry is waiting for the bus

Paul and Susan are waiting for the bus

We are waiting for the bus

They are waiting for the bus

You are waiting for the bus.

Negative Form

I am not waiting for the bus

You are not waiting for the bus

He is not waiting for the bus

She is not waiting for the bus

It is not waiting for the bus

Harry is not waiting for the bus

Paul and Susan are not waiting for the bus

We are not waiting for the bus

They are not waiting for the bus

You are not waiting for the bus.

Interrogative form

Am I waiting for the bus?

Are you waiting for the bus?

Is he waiting for the bus?

Is she waiting for the bus?

Is it waiting for the bus?

Is Harry waiting for the bus?

Are Paul and Susan waiting for the bus?

Are we waiting for the bus?

Are they waiting for the bus?

Are you waiting for the bus?

Time words that can be used with present progressive

...right now...

...at the moment...

...now..

...as we speak...

Common errors

Many students when they are first learning make the error of using the present progressive instead of the present simple. For example:

"I am playing volleyball every Monday."

This sentence is incorrect, because playing volleyball is not a temporary thing for this person, it's something they do every week and is a part of their life, so present simple should be used. Use the present progressive for temporary things happening at the moment, for example:

"I'm staying in a hotel near the castle; come by for a drink!"

We hope you found this lesson helpful, and stay tuned until next week when we'll move on to the future tense and the final section of our free course!

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