Present continuous

verb tense

The present continuous tense is one of the continuous tenses in English. (Continuous tenses are: present continuous, past continuous, and future continuous.)

The present continuous (also called "present progressive") tense mainly describes actions that are in progress at the time of speaking.

Forms change

Affirmative sentences change

Affirmative sentences in the present continuous are formed using verb be (am / is / are) + base verb-ing.

  • I am eating.
  • She is eating.
  • He is eating.
  • It is eating.
  • We are eating.
  • You are eating.
  • They are eating.

The short forms 'm, 's, 're can be used in informal situations and in speech.