The present continuous tense is formed using:
- subject + verb 'be' + present participle (-ing)
Subject | Present form 'be' | Present Participle |
---|---|---|
I | am | walking to the park. |
You | are | walking to the park. |
He | is | walking to the park. |
She | is | walking to the park. |
It | is | walking to the park. |
We | are | walking to the park. |
You | are | walking to the park. |
They | are | walking to the park. |
We can also use the present continuous tense to make negative sentences using:
- subject + verb 'be' + not + present participle (-ing)
Subject | Present form 'be' | not | Present Participle |
---|---|---|---|
I | am | not | drinking coffee. |
You | are | not | drinking coffee. |
He | is | not | drinking coffee. |
She | is | not | drinking coffee. |
It | is | not | drinking coffee. |
We | are | not | drinking coffee. |
You | are | not | drinking coffee. |
They | are | not | drinking coffee. |
Remember, you can always use contractions for 'be,' like 'I'm' and 'you're.'
Here are some examples of sentences that use the present continuous.
![group of friends](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL120Youth/unit01/1-1g1.jpg)
They are hanging out.
![dressed up](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL120Youth/unit01/1-1g2.jpg)
We're not doing anything strange here.
![eating strawberries](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL120Youth/unit01/1-1g3.jpg)
I'm eating this whole strawberry for lunch!
![cat hunting butterfly](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL120Youth/unit01/1-1g4.jpg)
I'm coming to get you!
![seagul eating](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL120Youth/unit01/1-1g5.jpg)
Hey! He's stealing my lunch!
![dog smelling](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL120Youth/unit01/1-1g6.jpg)
She is smelling you to see if you are tasty!