English Grammar: Present Continuous Tense Formation and Use – 1st Year Secondary – Algeria

Present Continuous Tense: Formation and Use

The Present Continuous tense is used to describe actions happening right now, temporary situations, and future arrangements.

Formation

Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are + Verb-ing.
Ex: I am reading a book. She is studying English.

Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + Verb-ing.
Ex: They are not (aren’t) playing football. He is not (isn’t) sleeping.

Interrogative: Am/Is/Are + Subject + Verb-ing?
Ex: Are you coming to the party? Is she working now?

Spelling Rules for -ing

• Most verbs: add -ing (play → playing, read → reading).
• Verbs ending in -e: drop the e and add -ing (write → writing, make → making).
• Verbs ending in consonant + vowel + consonant (CVC): double the last consonant and add -ing (run → running, swim → swimming).
• Verbs ending in -ie: change -ie to -ying (lie → lying, die → dying).

Uses of Present Continuous

• Actions happening now: Look! It is raining outside.
• Temporary situations: She is staying with her aunt this week.
• Future arrangements: We are meeting the manager tomorrow at 10 AM.
• Trends and changes: The climate is getting warmer.
• With “always” for annoying habits: He is always losing his keys!

Time Expressions

now, right now, at the moment, today, this week/month, these days, still, Look!, Listen!

Examples

Listen! Someone is singing. I am currently writing an email. They are building a new school in our neighbourhood. She is always complaining about everything.

Exercises

1. Put the verbs in Present Continuous: “She (read) ______ a novel now. They (play) ______ in the garden at the moment.”
2. Make negative sentences: “He is sleeping.” → “He ______ ______ sleeping.”
3. Ask questions: “You are doing your homework.” → “______ you ______ your homework?”

For more English lessons, check Present Simple Tense and Past Simple Tense.