PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
Singular number plural number
First person I am singing we are singing
Second person you are singing you are singing
Third person she is singing they are singing
The present continuous tense is used for an action that is progress at the time of speaking.
It is used for an action that is in progress and will continue in future
Examples:
Balun is learning English.
I am studying 10th std
It is used to denote an action that is planned to take place in the near future.
Examples:
Finance minister is going to meet the Prime Minister tomorrow
It is used along with adverbs such as “always, constantly, repeatedly” etc…
To express an action that has become a habit by doing it over and over again.
Examples:
Sandhya is always asking doubts
It is used to denote an action which is happening now:
Examples:
It is raining now
I’m eating biscuits now
To denote fixed plans
Examples:
I’m going to meet my friend next month
To denote temporary actions
Examples:
I’m waiting here since morning
To denote Current trends
Examples:
More and more people are using android phones to access WhatsApp and Telegram.
Note: verbs of perception that some other verbs are not generally used in the present continuous tense
Examples:
See, smell, hear, taste, know, understand, love, hate, like, want, wish, etc…
The Present Continuous is used
(1) For an action going on at the time of speaking; as,
She is singing (now).
The boys are playing hockey.
(2) For a temporary action which may not be actually happening at the time of speaking;
as,
I am reading Emma’ novel but I am not reading at this moment).
(3) For an action that has already been arranged to take place in the near future; as,
I am going to the movie tonight.
My uncle is arriving next week.
It has been pointed out before that the Simple Present is used for a habitual action.
However, when the reference is to a particularly obstinate habit-something which
persists,
for example, in spite of advice or warning- we use the Present Continuous with
an adverb like always, continually, constantly.
My dog is very silly: he is always running out into the road.
The following verbs, on account of their meaning, are not normally used in the
continuous form:
(1) Verbs of perception, e.g., see, hear, smell, notice, recognize.
(2) Verbs of appearing. e.g., appear, look, seem.
(3) Verbs of emotion, e.g., want, wish, desire, feel, like, love, hate, hope, refuse, prefer.
(4) Verbs of thinking, e.g., think, suppose, believe, agree, consider, trust, remember,
forget, know, understand, imagine, mean, mind.
(5) have (= possess), own, possess, belong to, contain, consist of, be (except when used in
the passive), e.g.
Wrong Right
These grapes are tasting sour -- These grapes taste sour.
I am thinking you are Right -- I think you are Right.
She is seeming happy -- She seems happy.
He is having a mobile phone -- He has a mobile phone.
However, the verbs listed above can be used in the continuous tenses with a change of
meaning:
She is tasting the sambar to see if it needs more salt.
(taste= lest the flavour of)
I am thinking of going to Singapore.
(think of = consider the idea of)
They are having breakfast, (have = eat)