Present Continuous Tense | Definition, Rules, Uses , Examples & Practices

Present Continuous Tense

Learn the Present Continuous Tense with clear rules, uses, examples, spelling tips, non-action verbs, and practice exercises. Easy explanation for ESL learners. 

Present Continuous Tense (Present Progressive Tense)

What Is the Present Continuous Tense?
The Present Continuous Tense, also known as the Present Progressive Tense, is one of the most commonly used tenses in English. It is mainly used to describe:

1. Actions happening right now
2. Future plans or arrangements
3. Temporary situations
4. Annoying or repeated habits

The present continuous tense is formed using:
Subject + am / is / are + verb + ing
⚠️ Important note: Non-action (stative) verbs are not used in the continuous tense.

Forms of the Present Continuous Tense

1. Positive Sentences
Structure:
Subject + am / is / are + verb-ing
Example:
I am reading this article right now.
2. Negative Sentences
Structure:
Subject + am / is / are + not + verb-ing
Example:
She isn’t cooking at the moment.
3. Yes / No Questions
Structure:
Am / Is / Are + subject + verb-ing?
Example:
Are you checking social media at the moment?
Short Answers:
Yes, I am. / Yes, he is.
No, I’m not. / No, she isn’t.
4. Wh-Questions
Structure:
Wh-word + am / is / are + subject + verb-ing?
Example:
What are you doing right now?

Uses of the Present Continuous Tense

Usage 1: Actions Happening Now

(សកម្មភាពដែលកំពុងកើតឡើង ក្នុងពេលកំពុងនិយាយ)
The present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking.
Examples:

• You are reading this article.
• My mom is cooking dinner in the kitchen.
• People are travelling on the streets.
• Birds are flying in the sky.
• Dogs are barking at people walking nearby.
• The teacher is teaching the students in the class.

Usage 2: Future Plans or Arrangements
(គម្រោងការក្នុងពេលអនាគត)
The present continuous tense can be used instead of “be going to” when talking about future plans that are already arranged.
Examples:

• She is getting married next year.
• We are having a trip next week.
• They are playing soccer this weekend.
• She is visiting Angkor Wat next month.
• My dad is having a business trip next week.

Usage 3: Temporary Situations

(សកម្មភាពបណ្តោះអាសន្ន)
This use refers to actions that are happening for a limited period of time, even if they are not happening at the exact moment of speaking.
Examples:

• My friend is taking his master’s degree in the US.
• I am living with my sister in Phnom Penh this year.
• They are working on an important project this month.
• We are staying at this hotel for two weeks.

Usage 4: Annoying Habits

(ទម្លាប់ដែលរំខាន)
The present continuous tense can describe repeated or annoying habits, usually with the word “always.”
Examples:

• He is always talking loudly during the lesson.
• Why are you always asking me about this?
• Why is she always complaining?

Spelling Rules for Adding “-ing”

Rule 1: Verbs Ending in -e

Drop the -e before adding -ing.
live → living
love → loving
receive → receiving

Rule 2: One-Syllable Verbs (CVC Pattern)

If a verb ends in consonant + vowel + consonant, double the final consonant.
plan → planning
sit → sitting
spot → spotting

Rule 3: Other Verbs

If the verb does not follow Rules 1 or 2, simply add -ing.
stay → staying
cry → crying
eat → eating
watch → watching

Non-Action (Stative) Verbs)

Non-action verbs are usually used in the present simple tense, not in the present continuous tense.

Common Non-Action Verbs

Senses / Feelings

• look 👀
• feel 🤲
• sound 🔊
• taste 👅
• smell 👃

Desires

• love ❤️
• like 👍
• want 🤲
• prefer ⭐

Possession

• have 📦
• own 🏠
• belong to 🔗
• possess 🗝️

Opinions

• think 💭
• believe 🙏
• consider 🤔

Practice Exercise

👉 Put the verbs in the correct form (present simple or present continuous):

1. She ____ (study) for her exam right now.
2. I ____ (go) to the gym every morning.
3. They ____ (play) football in the park at the moment.
4. He ____ (not / watch) TV right now.
5. We ____ (live) in New York.
6. The children ____ (eat) dinner now.
7. My brother ____ (not / like) broccoli.
8. She ____ (dance) very well.
9. I ____ (read) an interesting book this week.
10. He ____ (drive) to work currently.
11. My parents ____ (visit) us every summer.
12. The cat ____ (sleep) on the sofa at present.
13. She ____ (work) as a teacher.
14. They ____ (not / play) tennis today.
15. I ____ (write) an email at the moment.
16. He ____ (take) the bus to school every day.
17. The sun ____ (shine) brightly now.
18. We ____ (plan) our holiday for next month.
19. My friend ____ (call) me now.
20. The baby ____ (cry) because he is hungry.