The Present Continuous Tense is known as present progressive tense in English. This tense defines the running action of current time.
Two types of verbs are used in this tense:
- Present form of auxiliary verb (am, is, are)
- Main verb with adding “ing” form.
Structure 1 (a):
Positive Form
Subject + present form of be verb (am, is, are) + main verb with ing + Remaining Part of the sentence (If have).
Example:
- They are discussing about this matter.
To compare the sentence according to the structure,
Subject= They
Present Form of be Verb (am, is, are) + main verb with ing = are discussing
Remaining Part of the sentence= about this matter.
Structure 1 (b):
Negative Form:
Subject + present form of be verb (am, is, are) not + main verb with ing + remaining part of the sentence (if have)
Example:
- He is not working here.
To compare the sentence according to the structure,
Subject = He
Present form of be verb (am, is, are) not + main verb with ing = is not working
Remaining Part of the sentence = here.
Structure 2:
Question Form (Yes/No Question)
Present form of be verb (am/is/are/ain’t/isn’t/are not + Subject + Main verb with ing + Remaining part of the sentence (if have)?
Example:
- Are you cleaning your desk?
To compare the sentence according to the structure,
Present form of be verb (am/is/are) = Are
Subject + Main verb with ing = you cleaning
Remaining Part of the sentence= your desk?
Example 2:
- Is not he going there?
To compare the sentence according to the structure,
Present form be verb (ain’t/isn’t/are not)= Is not
Subject + Main verb with ing = he going
Remaining Part of the sentence= there?
Structure 3:
Question Form (Wh Question)
Wh Word (What/Who/How/Which etc.) + Present form of be verb (am/is/are)/(ain’t/isn’t/aren’t) + Subject + Main verb with ing + Remaining part of the sentence (If have)?
Example 1:
- What are you doing here?
To compare the sentence according to the structure,
Wh word (What/Who/How/Which etc.) = What
Present form be verb (am/is/are) = are
Subject + Main verb with ing = you doing
Remaining Part of the sentence= here?
Example 2:
- What are not they allowing in this shop?
To compare the two sentences according to the structure,
Wh word (What/Who/How/Which etc.) = What
Present form be verb (ain’t/isn’t/aren’t) = are
Subject + main verb with ing = they allowing
Remaining Part of the sentence= in this shop?
Structure 4:
Question Form (Wh Question)
Wh Word (What/Who/How/Which etc.) + Present form of be verb (am/is/are)/ain’t/isn’t/aren’t) + main verb with ing + Remaining part of the sentence (if have)?
Example 1:
- Who are doing this job?
To compare the sentence according to the structure,
Wh word (What/Who/How/Which etc.) = Who
Present form of be verb (am/is/are) + main verb with ing = are doing
Remaining Part of the sentence = this job?
Example 2:
- Who are not attending in this ceremony?
To compare the sentence according to the structure,
Wh word (What/Who/How/Which etc.) = Who
Present form of be verb (ain’t/isn’t/aren’t) + main verb with ing = are not attending
Remaining Part of the sentence = in this ceremony?
Structure 5:
Question Form (Wh Question)
Wh Word (What/Who/How/Which etc.) + Noun + Present form of be verb (am/is/are)/(ain’t/isn’t/aren’t) + subject + main verb with ing + Remaining Part of the sentence (if have) ?
Example 1:
- Which books are you searching?
To compare the sentence according to the structure,
Wh word (What/Who/How/Which etc.) + Noun = Which books
Present form of be verb (am/is/are) + subject + subject + main verb with ing = are you searching
Present form of be verb (am/is/are) + subject + main verb with ing = are you searching?
Remaining Part of the sentence = the following sentence has no remaining part.
Example 2:
- Which pen are not you finding in the classroom?
To compare the sentence according to the structure,
Wh word (What/Who/How/Which etc.) + noun = Which pen
Present form be verb (ain’t/isn’t/aren’t) + subject + main verb with ing = are not you finding?
Remaining Part of the sentence = in the classroom?
Structure 6:
Question Form (Wh Question)
Wh Word (What/Who/How/Which etc.) + Noun + Preposition + Noun + Present form of be verb (am/is/are)/(ain’t/isn’t/aren’t) + subject + main verb with ing + remaining part of the sentence (if have)?
Example 1:
- What kinds of foods are you eating in this restaurant?
To compare the sentence according to the structure,
Wh word (What/Who/How/Which etc.) + Noun + Preposition + Noun = Which kinds of foods
Present form of be verb(am/is/are) + subject + main verb with ing = are you eating
Remaining Part of the sentence= in this restaurant?
Example 2:
- Which types of products are not you getting in the shop?
To compare the sentence according to the structure,
Wh word (What/Who/How/Which etc.) + Noun + Preposition + Noun = Which types of products
Present form of be verb (ain’t/isn’t/aren’t) + subject+ main verb with ing = aren’t you getting
Remaining Part of the sentence = in the shop?
In conclusion, the present continuous tense provides a dynamic view of an action in progress, emphasizing its continuity. This tense is also used to express temporary actions, ongoing situations and future plans. Hope this structure will be helpful to communicate with other person at the time of that moment.
