Present Continuous Tense and the usage

In the previous blog, we had seen Present Tense. Now let’s see how the present continuous tense works. In this tense we see the Present form, however in addition to this what is happening now is also included. The action is not yet completed. Let’s take a few examples;

• I am typing.
• You are reading.
• You are watching.
• He is walking.

In India, we tend to use “ing” form more often. We need to understand the proper usage of this tense. Else, we go towards the wrong usage.

We will discuss three main parts of this tense in more detail.

1. Affirmative

2. Interrogative

3. Negative

1. Affirmative:

We can also refer to this as a positive or a reply to the state of action.

“subject” + “am/is/are” + “verb” + “ing” + “object” + “.”

Singular:

• I am reading a book.
• He is reading a book.
• She is reading a book.
• It is reading a book.
• You are reading a book.

Here you have noticed that for “I”, we used “am” for “He”, “She” and “It” we used “is” and for “You”, “are” is used. The verbs “am”, “is” and “are” are called as “Auxiliary verbs”. What do you mean by “Auxiliary verbs”?

Supportive/ helping verbs.

These verbs are supporting the main verb of the sentence. What is the main verb in the sentences here? “reading”.

Plural:

• You are reading a book.
• We are reading a book.
• They are reading a book.

In Plural form, we are using “are” with the main verb and of course, the main verb is in “ing” form. The action is happening now.

 

2. Interrogative:

We will see now, how to form questions.

“am/is/are” + “subject” + “verb” + “ing” + “object” + “?”

Singular:

• Am I reading a book?
• Is he reading a book?
• Is she reading a book?
• Is it reading a book?
• Are you reading a book?

Here you have noticed that the auxiliary verb / supportive verb / helping verb is taking the 1^st position. So, to form a question we must take the “subject” in the second position. In this way, the question is ready.

Plural:

• Are you reading a book? (Here, we are asking to more than one person.)
• Are we reading a book?
• Are they reading a book?            

     

3. Negative:

We are using negative to simply imply “No”.

“subject” + “am/is/are” + “not” + “verb” + “ing” + “object” + “.”

Here, you have noticed that we have added “not” in the sentence structure.

Singular:

• I am not reading a book.
• He is not reading a book.
• She is not reading a book.
• It is not reading a book.
• You are not reading a book.

Plural:

• You are not reading a book.
• We are not reading a book.
• They are not reading a book.

Note: The requirement of “Object” may vary as per the sentence.

For example.

• “He is walking”. Here, the “object” is not compulsory in the sentence.
• “He plays”. Here, you need to give information to complete the sentence, like “He plays Cricket”, “He plays Piano” etc.

Hope you understand this topic. Please leave your comments here.