English Grammar - Verbs - Present Continuous

FORM Present Continuous[AM / IS / ARE] + [VERB+ing]Examples:I am watching TV.He is quickly learning the language.
USE 1 Now
Use the Present Continuous to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening now.EXAMPLES:He is speaking now.They are not talking at the moment.The teacher is teaching.Who are you writing to? We are looking for the keys.The kids are watching TV. What is she doing?
USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now
In English, now can mean "this second," "today," "this month," "this year," "this century" and so on. Sometimes we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.Examples:She is studying to become a lawyer.I am not studying to become a dentist.He is reading the book Tom Sawyer.I am not playing tennis right now.Are you working on any special projects at work?We aren't working hard these days.
USE 3 Near Future.The Present Continuous Tense is also used to talk about activities happening in the near future, especially for planned future events.
Example:She is meeting her parents after dinner.I am not going to the party tonight.We aren't going on holiday next week.Tony is coming for dinner tomorrow.
The ING form of the verbsUsually we add ING work working stand standing learn learning
When the verb ends in an e, we drop the e and add ingcome coming have having write writing If a one syllable (with only one vowel sound) verb ends in one consonant (for example p, t, r) that follows one vowel (for example a, o, e), we double the consonant.
swim swimming get getting stop stopping
Some verbs have irregular ing formlie lying die dying travel - travelling (Britain) or traveling (American)
Non-continuous Verbs
These verbs are usually things you cannot see somebody doing. These verbs are rarely used in "continuous" tenses. They include:Abstract Verbsto be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to contain, to owe, to exist...Possession Verbsto possess, to own, to belong...Emotion Verbsto like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to mind...Examples:He is here now. CorrectHe is being here now. Not CorrectHe wants a drink now. CorrectHe is wanting a drink now. Not Correct