Skip to content Reading 2 min Views 845 Published by February 7, 2021 Contents The Present Continuous / ProgressiveThe past continuous progressive tenseThe form of the present continuous tenseThe affirmative forms of the present continuousThe interrogative forms of the present continuousThe negative forms of the present continuousThe use of the present continuous tenseSpecial verbsExamplesExercises on the themeThe Present Continuous / Progressive John is in his car. He is in his way to work. He is driving to workThis means he is driving now “at the time of speaking”This is the present continuous. The past continuous progressive tense This page will present the present continuous its formand its use. You may also be interested in a lesson about the past continuous The form of the present continuous tense The verb to be in the simple presentverb + ing The affirmative forms of the present continuous Iameating.’mYou, we, theyare’reHe, she, itiss The interrogative forms of the present continuous AmIeating?Areyou, we, theyIshe, she, it The negative forms of the present continuous Iam noteating.’m notYou, we, theyare notaren’tHe, she, itis notisn’t The use of the present continuous tense The present continuous is used to talk about actions happening at the time of is Mary? She is having a bath. Not she has a bathWhat are you doing at the moment in front of your screen? Don’t you know? Well … you are reading this lesson. You are learning present continuous can also be used when an action has started but hasn’t finished am reading a book; it’s a nice book. It means = I am not necessarily reading it; I started reading it but I haven’t finished it yet. Special verbs There are verbs which are normally not used in the present continuous. Examples be, believe, belong, hate, hear, like, love, mean, prefer, remain, realize, see, seem, smell, think, understand, want, wish These verbs are called stative verbs in contrast to action verbs also referred to as dynamic verbs’ such as work, play, eat, etc.’ It’s not correct to say He is wanting to buy a new car.* You must say He wants to buy a new car. Exercises on the theme