English Grammar Tenses II: Continuous Tenses

Present Continuous Tense

Present Continuous Tenses are used when describing a particular point in
time. In the Present Continuous Tense we are discussing something that is
happening now. We add the suffix –ing to the word stem to create examples
like the following.

• I’m eating sushi right now.

• I’m not eating anything.
• Is she eating burgers again? I can’t believe it!
• Why are you eating that type of food?

Past Continuous Tense

Past Continuous Tenses are used to describe a past action that occurred over a
period of time.

• What were you eating last night for dinner?

• I was eating fish last night for dinner.
• I was eating when the phone rang.
• As I was eating, the phone rang.
• They weren’t taking notes when the listening ended.

Future Continuous Tense

The Future Continuous Tense is used for certain specific future arrangements and
plans. It is used to show that an action will be happening at a time in the future.

• I will be having dinner at my parents’ house tomorrow at 9:15 pm

• They will be studying for the test today in the afternoon.
• Where will they be working next month?
• Susan will not be developing her project next week because she will be
working abroad.