Present continuous or present progressive tense

Present continuous or present progressive tense (Subject + am/is/are +verb + -ing)

Look at the picture.

Mr. Anderson is in his car. He is on his way to work.

He is driving to work.

This means: he is driving now, at the time of speaking.

The action is not finished.

Subject + am/is/are + verb + -ing is the present continuous:

I | am (= I’m) driving

He/she/it | is (=he’s etc.) reading

We/you/they | are (=we’re etc.) doing

I am doing something means I’m in the middle of doing it; I’ve started doing it and I haven’t finished yet:

Please don’t make so much noise. I’m trying to study for my exam. (not I try)

A: ‘Where’s Jean?’

B: ‘She’s having a shower.’ (not She has a shower)

Let’s go out. It isn’t snowing any more. (not it doesn’t snow)

(at a party)

A: Hello, Jack. Are you enjoying the party? (not Do you enjoy)

B: Yes, I am.

What’s all that noise outside? What’s going on? (= What’s happening)

The action is not necessarily happening at the time of speaking. For example:

Annie is talking to a friend on a phone. She says: I’m reading a really good book at the moment. It’s about a man who rescued a princess from drowning.

Note: Annie is not reading the book at the time of speaking. She is talking on the phone. She means that she has started it, but has not finished it yet. She is in the middle of reading it.

Some more examples:

Kevin wants to work in France, so he’s learning French. (but perhaps she isn’t learning French at the time of speaking)

Some of my classmates are creating their own website. They hope to finish it next month.

You can use the present continuous with today/this week/this year etc. (periods around now):

A: You’re studying hard today. (not You work hard today)

B: Yes, I have a lot of homework to do.

The restaurant I work for isn’t doing so well this month.

We use the present continuous when we talk about changes happening around now, especially with these verbs:

get change become increase rise

fall grow improve begin start

Is your French getting better? (not Does your English get better)

The weather here is changing every time.

This city is becoming a smart city.

The population of the world is increasing very fast. (not increases)

The temperature is rising.

The gasoline prices are falling.

The plants are growing fast.

My English is improving.

At first I didn’t like my job, but I’m beginning to enjoy it now. (not I begin)

I am starting to understand the lesson.

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