Present Progressive (Continuous) Tense
The Present Progressive, also known as the Present Continuous, is used to describe actions happening at the moment of speaking.
Formation of Present Progressive Sentences
Positive Sentences
Use 'be' am/are/is + verb + -ing:
- I am doing my homework.
- Tom is helping to tidy up right now.
Example: "The students are studying hard before the exam next week."
Negative Sentences
Insert 'not' after the form of 'be':
- He is not going home.
- I am not feeling good at the moment.
Questions
Invert the subject and the form of 'be':
- What is the little girl asking Janet?
- Is Tom helping with breakfast?
Signal Words for Present Progressive
Common signal words include:
- At the moment
- Now
- Right now
Vocabulary: These signal words indicate that an action is happening currently.
Usage of Present Progressive
The Present Progressive is used for:
- Actions happening at the moment of speaking
- Describing images or scenes
Highlight: Use the Present Progressive when you want to emphasize that an action is ongoing.
Examples of Present Progressive
- "When Janet arrives, the staff is preparing breakfast."
- "Me and my family are staying at home."
Example: "At the moment Janet and Lisa are informing some parents about the outing."