The past continuous also called past progressive is a verb tense which is used to show that an ongoing past action was happening at a specific moment of interruption, or that two ongoing actions were happening at the same time. May 27, 2014 the present continuous tense is a really helpful bit of grammar and will let you add a touch of punchiness to both your written and spoken english. Present continuous progressive tense mixed exercises with answers to learn and practice one of the most basic verb tenses of english language. Present continuous tense examples, definition, video. I have been telling him a long story and not finished yet. These things usually last for quite a short time and they are not finished when we are talking about them. The present perfect verb tense is a little difficult in english it is used in several different ways, and there are lots of rules to remember. Be going to and present continuous macmillan education. Where continuing action is emphasized, the present continuous present progressive is used. Read on for detailed descriptions, examples, and past continuous exercises. With verbs not normally used in the continuous form, use the simple present perfect instead verbs such as.
Whats the difference between the present simple present continuous and how to use them. Use and formation 8 min when do we use the present continuous. We use present perfect tense to ask and answer questions about actions or events in the past that still have an effect on the present moment. Since it is a planned event that is already arranged i. The teacher presents a powerpoint with rules and uses of the present continuous form. Heres the positive form positive means a normal sentence, not a negative or a question. These things usually last for quite a short time and they are not.
The present continuous tense can also be used to talk about a temporary action which may not be actually happening at the time of speaking. We use the short form more often than the full form, especially when speaking. The present continuous conditional tense of any verb is composed of three elements. Present continuous positive and negative form 1 make the present continuous. Some verbs have one meaning in the simple form, but a different meaning in the continuous form. The auxiliary verb be is conjugated in the present simple. Yes, youre always late to work is correct, and its also correct to use a continuous form, though i would use the verb arrive youre always arriving late since we generally avoid using be in the continuous. English grammar today a reference to written and spoken english grammar and usage cambridge dictionary. The present continuous tense, also known as the present progressive, is one of the most commonly used verb tenses in english. Present continuous tense indicate an action which is in progress at the time of speaking or at the present time. Present continuous tense simple present rules simple present vs continuous simple past tense past continuous tense subject exercises. We often use yet in negative present perfect sentences. We use the present simple tense when we want to talk about fixed habits or. There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of the event, and that some preparation has already happened.
How to use present perfect continuous in passive form. We can use the present continuous to talk about the past when we are. To get technical about it, present is a tense, but continuous and progressive are grammatical aspects, not tenses. First, we use the present continuous for things that are happening at the moment of speaking. We also can use be going to to make predictions about the future, which are based on observa tions in the present. Verbs 2 tenses 02 present continuous 4 the present.
Before we get started, please note that this is also often called the present progressive tense. In the present continuous tense, negative forms are made using not, and question forms are made by changing the word order of the sentence. Use the present continuous with normal verbs to express the idea that. The structures of present continuous progressive tense. Practice your english verb tenses here clear explanations and lots of free online and pdf exercises. We use the present continuous for temporary situations. Writing exercise 5 min complete with the present continuous in the affirmative form. Present continuous use also called the present progressive tense read about how to make the present continuous tense here.
There are few rules with the help of which you can identify present continuous tense easily. We use the present continuous to talk about 1 action happening now and 2 action in the future. Present continuous tense formula for third person singular. For grammar details, see the continuous forms page. Present continuous tense expresses the ongoing action or task of the present. May be freely copied for personal or classroom use. First, we use the present continuous for things that are happening at the. Please follow the list about structure of present continuous tense. Although present perfect continuous is less commonly used in its passive form. Please have a look at our talking about the future and future plans pages. Lets learn the forms of the present continuous including the affirmative, negative, question and short forms. I want to know if its possible to use a sentence below in its passive form. Some verbs are rarely used in the present continuous, such as. It includes 40 basic english grammar lessons covering most of the english grammar tenses and mostused structures.
The present continuous can also be used to show that an action is going to take place in the near future. The present continuous, in the interrogative form, is used to ask about situations that are going on around the moment of speaking when we use the present continuous in its interrogative form, we start with the verb to be followed by the subject and a verb that ends with ing the sentence ends with a question mark. To talk about things that are happening now, at the moment we speak. Verbs 2 tenses 02 present continuous 4 the present continuous. The present, past, and future continuous tenses are formed with the present, past, or future of the verb to be and the present participle, i. Present continuous interrogative english grammar a1 level. Examples affirmative examples negative examples interrogative. Read on for detailed descriptions, examples, and present perfect continuous exercises.
Use the present continuous tense with the appropriate to be verb and a dynamic verb. It is formed from the present tense of the verb to be and the present participle ing form of a verb. It is very different from the simple present tense, both in structure and in use. Get our basic english grammar ebook pdf want to download all the grammar lessons to learn offline. I havent had a shower yet they havent danced together for 2 years questions in present perfect. We use the present continuous for permanent states or situations. Actions which are happening at or around the moment of speaking. Learn the present continuous tense in english youtube. The verb be is different from the other verbs in this tense. The present continuous expresses an action which is going on at the moment of speaking see dialogues 1, 2. Simple past, present, future continuous past, present, future perfect past, present, future perfect continuous past, present, future. English esl present continuous worksheets most downloaded.
Present continuous use clear explanations about when to use the present continuous or present progressive tense in english, with lots of exercises. We often use the present continuous for things happening right now. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the. Ec offers various english courses, including online english speaking courses i surf i am surfing.
The present perfect continuous usually emphasizes duration, or the amount of time that an action has been taking place. There are also lots of examples to help make everything very clear. See the grammar reference chart at top of this site page. Is the tense called present progressive or present. You can use it to describe both events that are happening in the present right now, while you are talking about something, or in the future something that may or will happen later on.
We use them to talk about our intentions and plans. English grammar, tenses page 5 of 38 present continuous tense i am singing we often use the present continuous tense in english. Wrapup by having students compare answers with classmates, and then choose one or two students to write their answers on the board. Structure of present continuous tense english study page. The present continuous tense is a grammatical tense that can be used to describe when an action happened, or may happen. Answers you can use the short form shes or the longer form she is. In english, we can use the same type of verb for different purposes. The present continuous also called present progressive is a verb tense which is used to show that an ongoing action is happening now, either at the moment of speech or now in a larger sense. When do we use the present progressive the present progressive is used when we talk about something which is happening now. Continuous tenses, also called progressive tenses, are used to describe a continuing action. In the 3rd person singular he, she, it or a name we put an s to the end of the infinitive.
In the downloadable pdf set, you will find the following examples of present continuous usage. Practice present continuous tense with printable and online exercises with answers. We offer you the revise this grammar topic with the help of flashcards. The continuous infinitive is used to express a continuing action after a verb or auxiliary which must be followed by the infinitive. For actions happening now for future arrangements to express annoyance at repeated actions. In this lesson we look the structure and use of the present continuous tense, follwed by a quiz to check your understanding. All the continuous actions come into the categories of present continuous tense. Present continuous temporary habits temporary situations hes eating a lot these days.
Present continuous learnenglish teens british council. Complete list of past continuous forms use 1 interrupted action in the past use the past continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. Match the verb forms in the sentences 16 to the correct use af. Complete the following sentences using present continuous tense.
A collection of english esl present continuous progressive tense worksheets for home learning, online practice, distance learning and english classes to te. Future definite future plans im meeting my father tomorrow. Present continuous positive form exercise simple present past past continuous past continuous. Present continuous it is used to express an action taking place at the time. Habits or situations that happen regularly we use the present simple. Learn the present continuous tense in english with examples. English grammar, tenses page 6 of 38 how do we use the present continuous tense. When we use the present continuous in its interrogative form, we start with the verb to be followed by the subject and a verb that ends with ing the sentence ends with a question mark. Present continuous all forms exercise 1 make the present continuous. Nov 18, 2015 the present continuous tense is used for 1. The formula for present continuous tense when the third person is singular are that the sentence starts with he, she, common noun or proper noun and is, then a verb in its 1st form with ing followed by an object which is optional. The present perfect continuous also called present perfect progressive is a verb tense which is used to show that an action started in the past and has continued up to the present moment.
The present continuous tense is most often used for the following. Jul 06, 2010 the present continuous tense is used to talk about an action going on at the time of speaking. The teacher asks the students to recall some rules shown in the video, namely the form and the use of the verb tense, and registers the information on the board. It is one that english learners frequently confuse with a similar tense, the present simple.
Present continuous for future arrangements english. The present continuous tense is formed with the subject plus the present particle form ing of the main verb and the present continuous tense of the verb to be. The past perfect continuous also called past perfect progressive is a verb tense which is used to show that an action started in the past and continued up to another point in the past. The future continuous tense, sometimes also referred to as the future progressive tense, is a verb tense that indicates that something will occur in the future and continue for an expected length of time. Whereas tenses mark when an action happens, aspects give other temporal information, such as duration, completion, or frequency. To form the present continuous, follow this formula.
A collection of english esl worksheets for home learning, online practice, distance learning and english classes to teach about present, continuous, present. Simple present vs present continuous present continuous simple present now at the momentat present this morningevening e. Using the present continuous to talk about the future the present continuous is used to talk about arrangements for events at a time later than now. This lesson will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about the present perfect try the four quizzes with grammar exercises in each section. Repetition, judgment, irritation he is always talking. Present simple and present continuous learn english.