Present Continuous – Use

When do we use the present continuous tense in English?


Note: This is also called the present progressive tense.

We use the present continuous for:

1. Actions that are happening at the moment of speaking

For example:

  • I’m eating lunch now.
  • The dog is barking loudly.
  • It’s raining outside.
  • We’re not using the computer.
  • Are you working right now?
  • What are they doing in the kitchen?

2. Temporary actions, situations or habits

Note: The action might not be happening exactly at the moment of speaking.

For example:

  • I’m working at a café until I find a full-time job.
  • You’re spending too much time on your phone these days.
  • We’re watching an interesting series at the moment.
  • Ethel’s not going to the gym much lately. 
  • Are they studying Spanish this semester?
  • Where are you living at the moment?

3. Trends or changing situations

For example:

  • I’m listening to more podcasts now.
  • Your English is improving.
  • More people are using electric cars.
  • The economy is not getting better.
  • Is the price of gold increasing?
  • Why are children spending more time inside?


4. Things that happen frequently that are usually* negative or annoying

Note: Here we use adverbs like “always”, “constantly” or “forever”. It is also usually possible to use the present simple for these things, but the present continuous emphasises the frequent nature of the action.

For example:

  • You’re always leaving the window open.
  • Frank is forever complaining.
  • George is always trying to help people. (*Here it is something positive.)
  • Why are we constantly getting spam emails?


5. Narration (stories and jokes) and commentary

Note: We also use other tenses for narration and commentary, such as the present simple.

For example:

  • She waits for him in the bar. It’s raining outside.
  • Johnson takes the ball and now he is running across the field.

6. Actions in a scene or picture

For example:

  • In the photo, the women are wearing uniforms.
  • The man in the painting is looking at his dog.


7. Fixed future plans or arrangements 

Note: These are plans that we have already made. In these sentences you need to use a time word or phrase, like “tomorrow”, “at 5pm”, “on Monday”, “next year”, “when”, etc.

For example:

  • She’s going to Brazil next year. 
  • We’re meeting on Friday after work.
  • I’m not playing tennis tomorrow.
  • Are you seeing your doctor next week?
  • When is he visiting his family?

Present Continuous – Form →

Kahoot Quiz – Present Continuous

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Present Continuous Exercises