Present Continuous

Level: beginner

We use the present progressive tense:

1. When somebody is doing something at this moment.

• Sarah is changing her clothes right now.
• Her boyfriend is waiting for her.
• We are learning the progressive tense in English.

2. When something is happening at this moment. When the action has started but hasn't finished.

It is snowing at the moment.

• The economy is growing at an exponential rate.
• The children are sleeping so please be quiet.

3. To talk about something that is happening around the time of speaking but not necessarily at that exact moment.

• • Alfredo is studying a lot for his exam.
  • I'm reading a great book. (Not necessary right at this moment)
  • We are planning a trip to Jamaica.

4. future plans or arrangements:
Mary is going to a new school next term.
What are you doing next week?

• verbs of thinking and feeling:

• verbs of the senses:

• others:

We normally use the simple  present instead:

I understand you. (NOT I am understanding you.)
This cake tastes wonderful. (NOT This cake is tasting wonderful.)

We also use the present continuous to talk about:

• something which is happening before and after a specific time:

At eight o'clock we are usually having breakfast.
When I get home the children are doing their homework.

• something which we think is temporary:

Michael is at university. He's studying history.
I'm working in London for the next two weeks.

• something which is new and contrasts with a previous state:

These days most people are using email instead of writing letters.
What sort of clothes are teenagers wearing nowadays?
What sort of music are they listening to?

• something which is changing, growing or developing:

The children are growing up quickly.
The climate is changing rapidly.
Your English is improving.

• something which happens again and again ( or to express annoyance):

It's always raining in London.
They are always arguing.
George is great. He's always laughing.

Note that we normally use always with this use.

Level: advanced

We can use the present continuous to talk about the past when we are:

• telling a story:

The other day I'm just walking down the street when suddenly this man comes up to me and asks me to lend him some money. Well, he's carrying a big stick and he looks a bit dangerous, so I'm wondering what to do …

• summarising a book, film or play:

Harry Potter is a pupil at Hogwarts school. One day when he is playing Quidditch he sees a strange object in the sky. He wonders what is happening …