1 Introduction
This lesson covers all the basics of the present progressive tense. It includes: explanations, examples, illustrations, exercises, activities, rules, and games.
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Before we start the lesson, take this short quiz to test your knowledge:
2 Present Progressive Rules: Quiz
3 The Present Progressive Tense
(Also Called the Present Continuous)
The Present Progressive is a very common tense in English. You should understand it, and know it well.
4 How Do We Use This Tense?
The Present Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action is in progress in the present.
Here are the different usages of this tense:
A Actions that Are Happening Now
(The verbs are in bold)
She is running.
The phone is ringing.
They are talking.
B Actions that Are Currently in Progress
(Not at this exact second, but in the present.
For example: these days, this month, this year)
This month they are practicing for a contest.
He is working in an office.
They are studying a lot these days.
They are fighting for their country.
C Planned Future Actions
Tomorrow he is returning home.
She is meeting her friends tonight.
He is starting a new job in the morning.
She is traveling to Paris this afternoon.
D Annoying Repeating Actions
My aunt is always posting embarrassing stuff!
He is always coming late.
This guy is always smoking!
5 Examples of Typical Time Expressions
| Now | The present time period | Near future | Annoying repeating actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| now | these days | this afternoon | always |
| right now | today | tonight | constantly |
| this moment | this week | next week | |
| this month | on Sunday | ||
| this year | after dinner | ||
| currently | tomorrow |
6 Examples of the Present Progressive Tense
The following examples of Present Progressive tense will help you understand and use this tense properly and naturally.
Note: the Present Progressive verbs are colored.
Present Progressive Tense Example Sentences
A) Actions that are happening now:
We are having lunch.
We are not having lunch right now.
Are you having lunch right now?
They are singing very nicely.
This kid is sleeping.
Why is this kid sleeping?
Andrew is playing the guitar and Bella is listening to him.
What are Bella and Andrew doing?
Bella and Andrew are not playing golf.
B) Actions that are currently in progress
(Not at this exact moment, but in the present.
For example: these days, this month, this year):
We are moving to Packard Street this week.
Usually I work in an office, but this month I am traveling from place to place.
Julie is studying so hard because she has a lot of exams these days.
Patrick is temporarily working from home.
She is having a lot of trouble with her divorce.
I am studying to become a teacher.
Jane is reading the book “War and Peace”.
C) Actions that will happen in the near future:
I am meeting Robert this afternoon.
Are you coming with us to the party tonight?
When are you having lunch?
Patricia is returning later this week.
They are arranging a special dinner and they want us to come.
I am not watching the game this evening. I have homework.
He is not going to the party tonight.
D) Annoying repeating actions:
She is always complaining about something.
They are constantly fighting.
Josh is always smoking.
You are always coming late!
It is always raining!
Next:
7 Present Progressive Rules
Here you can find tables with Present Progressive rules on:
positive sentences, negative sentences and questions.
Positive Sentences
| Who? | Form of verb | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| I | am + verb + ing | I am reading now. |
| He/She/It | is + verb + ing | He is reading now. She is reading now. It is reading now. |
| You | are + verb + ing | You are reading now. |
| We | are + verb + ing | We are reading now. |
| They | are + verb + ing | They are reading now. |
Short forms:
- I am => I’m
- He is => He’s
- She is => She’s
- It is = It’s
- You are = You’re
- We are => We’re
- They are => They’re
Negative Sentences
| Who? | Form of verb | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| I | am + not + verb + ing | I am not reading now. I’m not reading now. |
| He/She/It | is + not + verb + ing | He is not reading now. He isn’t reading now. He’s not reading now. She is not reading now. She isn’t reading now. She’s not reading now. It is not reading now. It isn’t reading now. It’s not reading now. |
| You | are + not + verb + ing | You are not reading now. You aren’t reading now. You’re not reading now. |
| We | are + not + verb + ing | We are not reading now. We aren’t reading now. We’re not reading now. |
| They | are + not + verb + ing | They are not reading now. They aren’t reading now. They’re not reading now. |
Short forms:
- is not => isn’t
- are not = aren’t
Question Sentences
| Who? | Form of verb | Examples | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Am | I | verb + ing | Am I reading now? |
| Is | he/she/it | verb + ing | Is he reading now? Is she reading now? Is it reading now? |
| Are | you | verb + ing | Are you reading now? |
| Are | we | verb + ing | Are we reading now? |
| Are | they | verb + ing | Are they reading now? |
8 Spelling Rules for Adding ING
Introduction
Vowel = a sound we make when the breath flows out through the mouth freely, without being blocked. The English letters a, e, i, o, u are called vowels, because they represent such sounds.
Consonant = a sound we make that is not a vowel. The breath is somehow blocked on its way out of the mouth. For example, the sound b is made when breath flow is stopped with the lips. All the English letters which are not vowels are called consonants. These are: b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y, z.
Some verbs change their spelling when “ing” is added to them.
Verbs ending with “consonant-vowel-consonant”
When a verb ends with a consonant-vowel-consonant and we put STRESS on this sound in speech, we double the last consonant. Then we add ing.
In the following examples the STRESS is underlined.
| run | ➡️ | runn + ing | ➡️ | running |
| stop | ➡️ | stopp + ing | ➡️ | stopping |
| plan | ➡️ | plann + ing | ➡️ | planning |
| begin | ➡️ | beginn + ing | ➡️ | beginning |
But if we don’t put STRESS on this sound in speech, then we simply add ing.
| open | ➡️ | open + ing | ➡️ | opening |
| visit | ➡️ | visit + ing | ➡️ | visiting |
| listen | ➡️ | listen + ing | ➡️ | listening |
| happen | ➡️ | happen + ing | ➡️ | happening |
Verbs ending with “x”, “y”, “z”, or “w”
Never double the letters x, y, z, or w.
| fix | ➡️ | fix + ing | ➡️ | fixing |
| buzz | ➡️ | buzz + ing | ➡️ | buzzing |
| chew | ➡️ | chew + ing | ➡️ | chewing |
| enjoy | ➡️ | enjoy + ing | ➡️ | enjoying |
Verbs ending with “e”
When a verb ends with the letter e, we first remove it, and then add ing.
| take | ➡️ | tak + ing | ➡️ | taking |
| make | ➡️ | mak + ing | ➡️ | making |
| dance | ➡️ | danc + ing | ➡️ | dancing |
| write | ➡️ | writ + ing | ➡️ | writing |
Verbs ending with “ie”
When a verb ends with the letters ie, we change them into y and add ing.
| lie | ➡️ | ly + ing | ➡️ | lying |
| die | ➡️ | dy + ing | ➡️ | dying |
9 Spelling Rules for Adding ING: Quiz
10 Examples of the Present Progressive Tense: Activity
11 Present Progressive Exercises
12 Present Progressive Games
Game 1: Find the Present Progressive Verbs
Game 2: Drag and Drop
Game 3: Memory Game to Match Positive and Negative
This lesson covers all the basics on the present progressive tense. It includes: explanations, examples, illustrations, exercises, activities, and rules.
You can purchase our full online English Tenses Course here. If you prefer eBooks, you can purchase our Tenses eBook Series here.
You can also get full access to all our courses:
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