What is Present continuous tense?

The present continuous tense is formed from the present tense of the verb be and the present participle (-ing form) of a verb.

It is used to express a continued or ongoing action at present time. It expresses an action which is in progress at the time of speaking. For example, a person says, “I am writing a letter”. It means that he is in the process of writing a letter right now. Such actions which are happening at time of speaking are expressed by present continuous tense. Present Continuous tense is also called Present progressive tense.

Use of present continuous tense

We use the present continuous tense for the following reason

(1) For something that is happening at the moment of speaking:

I am just leaving work. I shall be home in an hour.

Please be quiet. The headmaster is coming.

(2) For something which is happening before and after a given time:

At nine o’clock we are usually having breakfast. 

When I get home the students are doing their homework.

(3) For something which we think is temporary:

Karim is at university. He is studying history.

I am working in Canada for the next two weeks.

(4) For something which is new and contrasts with a previous state:

These days most people are using email instead of writing letters.

What sort of dresses are teenagers wearing nowadays? 

What sort of music are they listening to?

(5) To show that something is changing, growing or developing:

The children are growing quickly.

The world is changing rapidly.

Your English is improving.

(6) For something which happens again and again:

It is always raining in Canada.
Rahim is great. He is always laughing.

Note: We normally use always with this use.

 (7) For something which has been arranged or planned:

Harry is going to a new school next term. 

What are you doing next week?  

The following verbs, on account of their meaning, are not normally used in the continuous form:-

(1) Verbs of perception, e.g., see, hear, smell, notice, recognize.

(2) Verbs of appearing, e.g., appear, look, seem.

(3) Verbs of emotion, e.g., want, wish, desire, feel, like, love, hate, hope, refuse, prefer.

(4) Verbs of thinking, e.g., suppose, believe, agree, consider, trust, remember, and forget.

(5) Have (Possess), own, belong to, contain, consist of etc.

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