Use of the present continuous tense

1. We use the present continuous tense to talk about an action that is happening now, e.g.

• You are learning the present continuous tense now.

• You are reading this sentence right now.

2. We often use the following words with present continuous tense which tell us that the action is happening now:

   • now, at the moment, at present, (at) this minute, right now, just now

3. The following verbs are NOT normally used in present continuous tense:

• be (is/am/are)

  • He is thirsty now. (NOT: He is being thirsty now.)

• like, love, hate, want, need

  • I'm hungry. I want something to eat. (NOT: I am wanting something to eat.)

• know, understand, believe, remember

  • Do you understand what I mean? (NOT: Are you understanding what I mean?)

• see, hear, smell, taste

  • Do you see the man over there right now? (NOT: Are you seeing the man over there right now?)

Level 1

Forming the present continuous tense

Task 1: Do as many exercises on this webpage as you need until you feel confident in forming the present continuous tense.

• Present continuous tense exercises: https://agendaweb.org/verbs/present_continuous-exercises.html

Simple present or present continuous?

Task 2a: Watch this video to learn the difference between the simple present and present continuous tense.

Task 2b: Play the two games on this website to check how well you understand the use of the two tenses.

• British Council: Learn English Kids - Simple Present and Present Continuous : https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/grammar-practice/present-simple-and-present-continuous

Level 2

Simple present or present continuous tense?

Task 1: Watch the following video to learn the difference between using the simple present and present continuous tense.

Task 2: Do the following exercises to check how well you understand the use of the simple present and present continuous tenses.

Simple present or present continuous tense?

• Exercise 1: https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/present-simple-present-continuous-1.html

• Exercise 2: https://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs9.htm

• Exercise 3: https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/tenses/simple_present_progressive2.htm

Level 3

Simple present or present continuous tense?

Task 1: Watch the following video to learn the difference between using the simple present and present continuous tense.

Task 2: Do these exercises to see how well you understand the use of the simple present and present continuous tenses.

1. https://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs1.htm

2. https://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs2.htm

(Optional) Use present continuous tense to talk about future arrangements

Visit this website to learn when to use the present continuous tense to talk about the future.

• https://www.ef.com/wwen/english-resources/english-grammar/present-continuous-future-arrangements/