LEARN ENGLISH PRESENT CONTINUOUS VERBS

To form the Present Continuous tense we need the present simple tense of the verb "to be" and another verb ending in "-ing".

Example

We are studying the present continuous of the English verbs. (Estamos estudiando el presente continuo de los verbos ingleses)

Some verbs have certain spelling changes when adding "-ing": If the verb ends in "-e", we will drop the "e" and then we will add "-ing".

Example

I dance in the disco. (Bailo en la discoteca)

I am dancing in the disco. (Estoy bailando en la discoteca)

If the verb consists of only one syllable and the last three letters are: consonant plus vowel plus consonant, we will double the last consonant of the verb then add "-ing".

Example

I plan my weekend ahead. (Planeo el fin de semana que viene)

I am planning my weekend ahead. (Estoy planeando el fin de semana que viene)

For the negative form we use "not" after the verb "to be".

Example

We are not studying French right now. (No estamos estudiando francés ahora mismo)

For the interrogative form we place the verb "to be" in front of the person.

Example

Are you studying Spanish this evening? (¿Vas a estudiar español esta tarde?)

SOME GENERAL USES

We use the present continuous to talk about events that are in progress now, in the very moment of speaking or writing.

Example

I am studying English now. (Estoy estudiando inglés ahora)

Another use of the present continuous is to refer or speak about future commitments that have been arranged, although we sometimes use the present continuous to speak about something that is about to happen.

Example

I'm spending next weekend in the countryside. (Voy a pasar el próximo fin de semana en el campo).

We also use the present continuous to speak about exceptions in our routines.

Example

I always have coffee in the mornings but today I am having tea. (Siempre tomo café por las mañanas, pero hoy estoy tomando té)

The above example shows that the fact of having tea is an exception for the speaker. With the present continuous it is frequent to find time expressions or adverbs of time like: now, right now, at the moment, at present, etc.

Example

We are studying the present continuous now. (Estamos estudiando el presente continuo ahora)

They are watching a film on television right now. (Están viendo una película en televisión ahora mismo)

He is doing his homework at the moment. (Está haciendo sus deberes en este momento)

Lets us conjugate a verb as an example. We are going to take the verb "to study".

There are some verbs in English that are NOT normally used in the present continuous. These verbs are called "Stative verbs". Some of them, depending on their meaning, can be used in the present continuous though.

Example

I love animals. (Me encantan los animals)

I am loving every moment of this project. (Estoy disfrutando cada uno de los momentos de este proyecto)

In the first example it is impossible to find the verb "love" in its "-ing" form as its meaning refers to a permanent state, either you love animals or you do not. In the second example, on the contrary, we are not using the verb "love" with the same meaning. In this case, the verb "love" is the equivalent to the verb "enjoy" and therefore it can be used in its continuous (-ing) form.

Here there is a list of the most common "stative verbs" in English. Bear in mind that some of them can also be used in the present continuous according to their meaning as explained above.

Back to top