Present Continuous Tense with Formula, Examples, and Exercises

Base Verb	“-ing” Form
talk	talking
walk	walking
read	reading
write	writing
eat	eating
drink	drinking
sleep	sleeping
play	playing
run	running
cook	cooking
study	studying
drive	driving
work	working
watch	watching
listen	listening

Spelling Rules for “-ing” Form

1. Most verbs

Add -ing
Example: play → playing

2. Verbs ending in “e”

Remove e + add -ing
Example: write → writing

3. One-syllable verb with consonant + vowel + consonant

Double last consonant + -ing
Example: run → running

4. Verbs ending in “ie”

Change ie → y + -ing
Example: die → dying

Present Continuous Examples in Sentences

Here are 20 Examples of Present Continuous Tense:

• I am writing a message.

• She is cooking dinner.

• They are playing in the garden.

• He is reading a new book.

• We are watching the news.

• You are learning English.

• The children are singing loudly.

• It is raining outside.

• I am preparing my notes.

• She is cleaning the kitchen.

• They are travelling tomorrow.

• He is fixing his bicycle.

• We are planning our day.

• You are improving your grammar.

• The dog is barking again.

• I am checking my email.

• She is drawing a picture.

• They are waiting for the bus.

• We are discussing the project.

• He is practising his speech.

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Exercises of Present Continuous

A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form

1. She ______ (read) a story now.
2. I ______ (not watch) TV.
3. They ______ (play) in the garden.
4. ______ you ______ (come) to class?
5. We ______ (travel) tomorrow.

B. Identify the use (now, temporary, future plan, repeated action)

1. I am cooking right now.
2. She is staying at her aunt’s house.
3. We are meeting the manager later.
4. He is always talking loudly.

Answer Key

A.

1. is reading
2. am not watching
3. are playing
4. Are you coming
5. are travelling

B.

1. Now
2. Temporary
3. Future plan
4. Repeated action

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FAQs

What is the present continuous tense with examples?
The present continuous tense describes actions happening now or around the current time. Examples include: I am reading, She is cooking, They are playing.

What are the 5 basic rules for present continuous?
The rules are: use am, is, are before the verb; add ing to the base verb; remove e before adding ing; double the last consonant in short CVC verbs; and use the tense for now, temporary actions, plans, and repeated behaviour.

What is the formula of present continuous?
The formula is: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing. Example: She is eating.

What is present continuous example 20?
A set of 20 examples includes: I am eating, You are walking, He is writing, She is cooking, It is raining, We are studying, They are running, I am working, You are reading, She is talking, We are travelling, They are playing, He is swimming, I am driving, We are watching, She is learning, They are cooking, He is cleaning, I am listening, We are living.

When do we use the present continuous tense?
The present continuous is used for actions happening now, temporary activities, fixed future plans, and repeated actions that feel annoying.

How do you write the positive form of present continuous?
The positive form follows: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing. Example: She is reading.

How do you write the negative form of present continuous?
The negative form follows: Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing. Example: They are not playing.

How do you form present continuous questions?
Present continuous questions start with am, is, or are, followed by the subject and verb-ing. Example: Are you coming?

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Read More

1. Simple Present Tense
2. Tense Structure
3. 12 Types of Verb Tenses