The present continuous tense of verbs in English is formed as follows:
| Past Continuous Tense |
| Affirmative |
Negative |
Interrogative |
| |
Long Form |
Contracted Form |
|
| I am playing |
I am not playing |
I'm not playing |
Am I playing? |
| You are playing |
You are not playing |
You're not playing |
Are you playing? |
| He/she/it is playing |
He/she/it is not playing |
He/she/it isn't playing |
Is he/she/it playing? |
| We are playing |
We are not playing |
We're not playing |
Are we playing? |
| You are playing |
You are not playing |
You're not playing |
Are you playing? |
| They are playing |
They are not playing |
They're not playing |
Are they playing? |
The present continuous tense is used:
- To talk about continuous activities :
- At the time of speaking :
- "I am reading this page now."
- "I am using my computer."
- Around now, in a more general sense :
- "I am learning English this year."
- "I am doing a computer course this term."
- To talk about planned future activities or intentions:
- "Tom and Mary are coming to dinner tomorrow. They called to confirm."
- "I am spending my holidays in Australia this summer. I have already booked my flight."