The Present Progressive (Continuous) Tense
We use the present progressive tense to describe an action that started in the past, is taking place, right now, at this present moment, and will probably continue in the future.
Form. Auxiliary Verb “to be” and Main Verb (bare infinitive) + ing.
The following words are often used in this tense: at the moment, Look!, Listen!, now, right now.
Positive Statement
| Subject | Auxiliary Verb (to be) | Main Verb | Object | where | when | how | why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | am | typing | an essay. | ||||
| You | are | eating | lunch | at home. | |||
| He/She/It | is | working. | |||||
| We | are | walking. | |||||
| People (they) | are | watching | a movie | now. |
Question
| Question Word | Auxiliary Verb (to be) | Subject | Main Verb | Object | where | when | how | why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | am | I | doing? | |||||
| Are | you | listening to | music? | |||||
| When | is | Jane | leaving? | |||||
| Why | are | we | eating | supper | now? | |||
| *Why | are | they | going to | Europe | in two weeks? |
*Note: We can use the present progressive when we describe a scheduled event that is to take place soon.
Negative Statement
| Subject | Auxiliary Verb (to be) | "not" + Main Verb | Object | where | when | how | why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | am | not walking | in the snow. | ||||
| You | are | not talking to | him. | ||||
| Bill | is | not eating | lunch. | ||||
| We | are | not visiting | Japan | this summer. | |||
| They | are | not playing | baseball | in the park | on Sunday. |