When to use the present continuous

The present continuous is formed using the verb ‘to be’ + ing:

• I am watching TV.
• He / She / It is working.
• We / you /They are walking.

For questions, we change the order of the subject and the verb ‘to be’:

• Are you watching TV?
• Is it working?
• Are they walking?

When do we use the present continuous?

1. AT THE TIME OF SPEAKING

“I am looking at your blog”.

This means you are looking at my blog now, at the time of speaking.

More examples:

• I’m sitting down. I’m looking at the computer. I’m learning about the present continuous.
• My father is sleeping. My mother is watching TV. The children are playing.

1. IN THE MIDDLE OF DOING SOMETHING

“I’m having English classes with OLA”

This means you have started having classes with OLA, and you haven’t finished yet. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are having a class at the time of speaking.

Other examples:

• “I’m reading a really good book about World War II”
• “I’m learning French as I want to live in France next year”

1. WITH WORDS LIKE: today, this week, this month, this year (period of time around now)

• “You’re looking nice today”
• “Barcelona are winning a lot of games this year”
• “The business is suffering a lot this year”

1. FOR CHANGES HAPPENING AROUND NOW

Especially using these verbs:

• Get:  “My English is getting better”
• Change: “The weather is changing these days”
• Increase: “Prices are constantly increasing”
• Rise: “Sea levels are rising”
• Fall: “House prices are falling due to the credit crunch”
• Grow: “My grandson is growing fast”
• Improve: “The weather seems to be improving”
• Begin: “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”
• Start: “I’m starting a course in English to improve my spoken skill”