How to Form the Present Continuous

This post describes the meaning and form of English sentences in present continuous. You may also have heard it described as present progressive. They are the same thing.


Before we can begin, quickly review the Point of View and Verb Form table here. If you are already familiar with these concepts, then continue on.

Point of View

Choose the correct pronouns for each point of view. The first answer for "Third Person Singular" has been done for you. 

Third Person Singular	Third Person Plural	Second Person Singular & Plural	First Person Plural	First Person Singular
he   she   it   they   I   we   you	choose   he   she   it   they   I   we   you	choose   he   she   it   they   I   we   you	choose   he   she   it   they   I   we   you	choose   he   she   it   they   I   we   you
choose   he   she   it   they   I   we   you
choose   he   she   it   they   I   we   you

Verb Forms

Write the correct forms of the verbs walk and take in the blank spaces below. 

	First Form	Second Form	Third Form	Present Participle (-ing form)
Regular Verb	walk
Irregular Verb	take

As long as we know the Point of View and the Verb Form, we will be able to correctly form correct English sentences. These tables should be studied and practiced until they are memorized.

Present continuous 

We want to accurately communicate to others by using present continuous. These exercises will help you use present continuous correctly in both form and meaning. 

The example sentence below is in present continuous. Read the example sentence, and then answer the questions by answering them with a "yes" or "no". The "yes" or "no" answers indicate what the sentence communicates to other English speakers.

Example sentence:

I am playing the violin.

Answer the questions below by answering them with a "yes" or "no". 

• Do I always play the violin?
• What about right now?
• Will I stop sometime?

Can you notice the difference between the example sentences below?

• I am playing the violin. 
• We are playing the violin. 
• She is playing the violin. 

Each sentence uses the word "playing", but "am", "are" and "is" changes according to the Point of View. These words all come from the root verb "to be". Let's practice. 

Which point of view do we use for

is playing the violin.
are playing the violin.
am playing the violin.

 So, we form the present continuous by using  according to the Point of View plus the form of the verb.

Click here for answers