WHEN TO USE THE PRESENT

CONTINUOUS TENSE

What is the
1
present
continuous?
2 Temporary events
The present continuous tense is a
grammatical tense that can be used
to describe when an action
happened, or may happen. You can
use it to describe both events that
are happening in the present – right
now, while you are talking about
something, or in the future –
something that may or will happen
later on.
Thing that are happening now
ou can use the present continuous to describe immediate events
taking place in the current moment:
Eg. “She is eating dinner right now and cannot answer the phone.”
You can also use it in the same way for the negative form:
Eg. “They’re not watching TV at the moment.”
For longer actions that may be taking place for a
temporary period only, you can use the present
continuous tense to describe them. It can be used for
any temporary situation, no matter how long or short it
is.
Eg. “He’s studying a new language at the moment.”
3 A new pattern or habit
Eg. “These days, people are writing emails a lot less
than they used to a few years ago.
4
Future plans
Eg. “When we arrive at the airport, we are taking a
private car direct to the hotel.”
When not to use!
tine minte

It’s important to bear in mind that you cannot use the present continuous for all events taking
place in the present. You do not use it to describe events that happen normally, or for a long
time:
Eg: “I play the piano every morning” is correct.
“I am playing the piano every morning” is not correct, unless it was a new habit you had just
started.
Another instance where you do not use the present continuous verb is with non-continuous
verbs. These are a small group of verbs that describe things that you cannot normally see
someone do, for example: to love, to fear, to want, to cost, and others. With these verbs, you use
the present simple tense instead.
Eg. “A loaf of bread costs £1.50.”
You do not say “A loaf of bread is costing £1.50.”