English Grammar: Present Continuous Tense

Study Notes

The present continuous tense is formed using the present participle of the main verb and the present tense of the auxiliary verb "to be".
The formula is: Subject + is/are + present participle

To describe an action that is happening at the moment of speaking:
- e.g. "I am writing an email."
To describe an action that is happening around a specific time:
- e.g. "I am meeting my friends at 7pm."
To describe a temporary or changing situation:
- e.g. "I am studying for my exams."
To describe an annoying or disturbing habit:
- e.g. "He is always leaving his dirty socks on the floor."
To describe an action that is planned or arranged for the future:
- e.g. "I am flying to Paris next week."

Verbs ending in -ie, -oe, or -ye change the -ie to -y- before adding -ing:
- e.g. "die" -> "dying"
Verbs ending in a consonant + -le, -ne, or -re double the consonant before adding -ing:
- e.g. "travel" -> "travelling"
Verbs ending in a vowel + -le, -ne, or -re do not double the consonant before adding -ing:
- e.g. "love" -> "loving"

Do not use the present continuous to describe general truths or permanent situations:
- e.g. "I am living in London" (instead, use the present simple: "I live in London")
Do not use the present continuous to describe completed actions:
- e.g. "I am finishing my homework" (instead, use the present perfect: "I have finished my homework")

Formed using the present participle of the main verb and the present tense of the auxiliary verb "to be"
Formula: Subject + is/are + present participle

Verbs ending in -ie, -oe, or -ye change the -ie to -y- before adding -ing
Verbs ending in a consonant + -le, -ne, or -re double the consonant before adding -ing
Verbs ending in a vowel + -le, -ne, or -re do not double the consonant before adding -ing