The Present Continuous

The Present Continuous

1. Actions in progress

We use the present continuous to talk about actions which are happening at the moment of speaking.

Peter is watching TV at the moment.

We are cooking dinner in the kitchen.

What is happening in the street

2. Temporary actions in the present

We use the present continuous to talk about temporary actions or situations in the present period.

We often use following adverbials: today, this week, this year, these days, now, for the time being, for now, at the moment, etc. to refer to a period around now.

I am working from home these days. (but normally I work in the office)

These days Peter is living in London. (but his home is in York)

She is studying at university. (but she is not studying at this very moment)

3. Situations in the process of changing

We use the present continuous to talk about situations which are changing.

We often use the following verbs: get, become, change, rise, increase, grow, fall, improve, begin, start

The prices are rising.

Is your English improving?

We are getting tired.

4. Planned future actions

We use the present continuous to refer to planned future actions, especially with verbs which express movement.

She is flying to New York on Wednesday.

We are driving to France next week.

Peter is travelling to the UK next month.

5. Repeated actions

We use the present continuous to talk about repeated actions, especially if we are irritated or want to criticise.

We often use: always, constantly, continually or never.

You are always talking on the phone!

He is constantly inviting his friends to the pub.

He is always coming late to work.