Introduction

Present tense is divided into several forms i.e. present tense, present continuous tense and present
perfect tense. Murphy (1987: 6) says that present continuous tense is a tense, which tells about
something, which is happening at the time of speaking. Thus, present continuous tense is a tense
that is used to say something happening at the moment. According to the Collins Dictionary,
the present continuous tense is defined as “a verb form consisting of an auxiliary be in
the present tense followed by a present participle and used especially to indicate that a present
action or event is in progress, being repeated, or of a temporary nature or to express the future.”

In this academic article I will specifically talk about Present continuous tense, its use and
structure which is discussed by many authors correctly referenced.

General objective of that work:

 Discuss Present Continuous Tense.

Specific work objectives:

 Define Present Continuous Tense;

 Explain the use of Present Continuous Tense;

 Elaborate example sentences with Present Continuous Tense.

Methodology:

For the design of this work, the bibliographic review was used as methodology, in which the
consulted works will be presented at the end of work.

Structure of the Work:

I. Introduction;

II. Work development;

III. Conclusion;

IV. Bibliographic references.

Literature review

Present Continuous Tense

A tense is a grammatical category that locates a situation in time, to indicate when the situation
takes place (Hansen: 2006). The tenses are past, present, and future. The present tense is a
grammatical tense that locates a situation or event in present time (Comrie: 1985). Present tense
is divided into several forms i.e. present tense, present continuous tense and present perfect
tense. Murphy (1987: 6) says that present continuous tense is a tense, which tells about
something, which is happening at the time of speaking. Thus, present continuous tense is a tense
that is used to say something happening at the moment.
The present continuous tense is used to express an action that occurs at the time of speaking or
can be used to express the future time to explain a plan. The time signals are used now, right
now, at the moment, at the present, today, this morning, this afternoon, this evening, etc. The
present continuous tense or progressive tense is a tense that indicates the activities that are being
done or are in progress. Azar (2002:13) points out:
“The present progressive (Present Continuous Tense) expresses an activity that is in progress at
the moment of speaking. It is a temporary activity that began in the past, is continuing at present,
and will probably end at some point in the future.”
Present continuous tense is also used to speak about what is happening around the moment in
time. For example, if someone is working for a project for only two weeks, it should be said:
“I’m working on the Smith account”. This is because this is not a routine, but, rather a project
that is happening around at the moment in time.

The Use of Present Continuous Tense

According to Hall (1993: 164), present continuous tense is usually used to express:
a. The idea that something is happening now, at this very moment.
Examples:
 They are learning English now
 She is not swimming now Are you sleeping?
 b. That someone is in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress;
however, s/he might not be doing it at this exact second. In English, “now” can mean:
this second, today, this month, this year, this century and so on.
Examples
 I am studying to become a doctor
 I am reading the book Tom Sawyer
 Are you working on special projects at work?
c. That something will or will not happen in the near future.
Examples:
I am meeting some friends after works.
I am not going to the party.
Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
d. Repetition and Irritation. especially when used with words such as “always” or
“constantly” the meaning is like simple present, but with negative emotion. The words
“always” or “constantly” should always be put between “be” and Verb+ing”.
Examples:
He is always coming to class late
She is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up
I don’t like them because they are always complaining

B. The Pattern of Present Continuous Tense

In English, each tense has its own pattern. Here are the patterns of present continuous
tense (Murphy, 1987: 7): a. Positive form:
SUBJECT AM/IS/ARE PRESENT
PARTICIPLE

Here are the examples of present continuous tense in positive form:

1. You are studying English

 2. I am reading a novel

3. She is waiting for her friends

4. They are watching football match

5. Antonio is cooking in the kitchen

b. Negative form:
SUBJECT AM/IS/ARE NOT PRESENT
PARTICIPLE

Here are the examples of present continuous tense in negative forms:

1. You are not studying English

2. I am not reading a novel

3. She is not waiting for her friends

4. They are not watching football match

5. Anto is not cooking in the kitchen

c. Interrogative form:

AM/IS/ARE SUBJECT PRESENT PARTICIPLE ?

Here are the examples of present continuous tense in interrogative forms:

1. Are you studying English?

 2. Is she reading a novel?

3. Is she waiting for her friends?

4. Are they watching football match?

5. Is Anto cooking in the kitchen?

Spelling Rules

1. Some verbs when in the present continuous they need to have their last letter doubled, but
this is more an exception than a general rule.

Verb Form of the verb Examples

Get Getting She is getting nervous;

Sit Sitting They are sitting on the floor;

Run Running The dog is running after the cat;

Travel Travelling He is travelling to Paris very soon;

Begin Beginning It is beginning to rain;

Swim Swimming They are swimming in the pool;

Shop Shopping She is shopping alone;

Win Winning They are winning the game;

2. In verbs ending with the silent “e”, we always drop the «e» and replace it by the suffix “-
ing” like in:
 Verb Form of the verb Examples

Take Taking My parents are taking a nap now

Have Having I am not having a shower today

come Coming Nobody is coming to the party

Write Writing She is writing her third book

Revise Revising Are you revising your lessons?

3. There is a particular exception and it is this

 lie => lying

Example: The boys are lying to you;.

Apart from these exceptions, the other verbs take the “-ing” suffix normally without omitting,
adding or doubling any letters; no modifications are needed, and this is the general rule.

How to Conjugate the VERB TO PLAY with present Continuous Tense

Affirmative

I am playing football.

You are playing football.

He, She, It is playing football.

We are playing football.

You are playing football.

They are playing football.

Negative

I am not playing football.

You are not playing football.

He, She, It is not playing football.

We are not playing football.

You are not playing football.

They are not playing football.

Interrogative

Am I playing football?

Are you playing football?

Is he, she, it playing football?

Are we playing football?

Are you playing football?

Are they playing football?

Conclusion

The Present Continuous Tense plays a vital role in our daily communication as it is a verb tense
which is used to show that an ongoing action is happening now, either at the moment of speech
or now in a larger sense. The present continuous can also be used to show that an action is going
to take place in the near future.

Studying English grammar can help us to convey our ideas clearly, concisely, and precisely,
while also enhancing our credibility and professionalism. Therefore, it is essential to develop
strong English grammar skills to be an effective communicator and to succeed in academic and
professional endeavors.

After many researches took place in this article it is evident that the main goal was reached as
well as the specific ones.
References

Gari, A. (2012). Definition of Tense. Retrieved on March 25, 2013 from

http://www.allwords.com/word-tense.html;

Magfirah. (2009). Teaching Present Continuous Tense to the Seventh Year Students of SMP
Negeri 10 Through Substitution Drill. Unpublished Skripsi: Teacher Training and Education
Faculty of Tadulako University;

Paul, R. K. (2005). Analyzing Grammar: An Introduction. New York: Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press;

Sance. (2009.) Teaching Present Progressive Tense to the Eighth Grade Students of SMP
Negeria Kulawi through Short Dialogue. Unpublished Skripsi: Teacher Training and Education
Faculty of Tadulako University;