Learn the Simple Present Continuous Tense | Learn Tenses in English

Welcome back to the blog! Now that we’ve nailed the Simple Present, it’s time to move on to something a bit more... "happening."

Today, we’re looking at the Present Continuous Tense (also called the Present Progressive). While the Simple Present handles habits and facts, the Present Continuous is all about the here and now. We use it for actions happening at this very moment or for ongoing projects.

As always, we’ll break this down into Active and Passive voices so you can see exactly how the "be" verb and the "-ing" form work together. Let's dive in!

The simple present continuous tense
Simple Present Continuous Tense


1. The Active Voice: Actions in Progress

In the active voice, our subject is busy doing something right now.

  • The Formula: [Subject] + am/is/are + [Verb ending in -ing].

  • Negatives: We simply add not after the "be" verb. In American English, we love our contractions: isn't or aren't.

  • Questions: We move the "be" verb to the front of the sentence.

2. The Passive Voice: Focus on the Receiver

We use the passive voice when we want to emphasize what is being acted upon. For example, instead of focusing on the chef, we focus on the dinner being cooked.

  • The Formula: [Subject] + am/is/are + being + [Past Participle].

  • The Secret Ingredient: The word "being" is the hero here. It tells the reader the action is continuous, while the past participle (like eaten, cleaned, watched) tells us what the action is.

80 Simple Examples

We’ve put together a massive list of examples to help you master every angle of this tense. Remember, we're keeping these short and sweet—less than 10 words each!

Active Voice: Positive Statements

  1. I am eating lunch now.

  2. She is playing the piano.

  3. They are walking the dog.

  4. We are watching a movie.

  5. He is fixing the car.

  6. The sun is shining today.

  7. You are doing a great job.

  8. It is raining outside again.

  9. Students are learning English now.

  10. The cat is sleeping soundly.

Active Voice: Negative Statements

  1. I am not wearing a coat.

  2. She isn't working today.

  3. They aren't coming to dinner.

  4. We are not buying that car.

  5. He isn't listening to music.

  6. It isn't snowing right now.

  7. You aren't making a mistake.

  8. The phone isn't ringing.

  9. We aren't staying at a hotel.

  10. She isn't eating her vegetables.

Active Voice: Positive Questions

  1. Am I speaking too fast?

  2. Is she wearing a dress?

  3. Are they playing outside?

  4. Is he driving to work?

  5. Are we leaving soon?

  6. Is it getting dark?

  7. Are you feeling better?

  8. Is the oven heating up?

  9. Are the birds singing?

  10. Is she calling you now?

Active Voice: Negative Questions

  1. Aren't you coming with us?

  2. Isn't she feeling well?

  3. Aren't they helping you?

  4. Isn't he doing his homework?

  5. Aren't we going the wrong way?

  6. Isn't it working correctly?

  7. Am I not invited?

  8. Isn't she wearing her glasses?

  9. Aren't they selling their house?

  10. Isn't he playing soccer?

Passive Voice: Positive Statements

  1. The house is being painted.

  2. Lunch is being prepared now.

  3. Cars are being washed today.

  4. The letter is being written.

  5. Roads are being repaired here.

  6. The game is being played.

  7. Trees are being planted now.

  8. Music is being played loudly.

  9. I am being helped today.

  10. The cake is being baked.

Passive Voice: Negative Statements

  1. The room isn't being used.

  2. Reports aren't being printed now.

  3. The car isn't being fixed.

  4. Dinner isn't being served yet.

  5. Clothes aren't being washed today.

  6. The lawn isn't being mowed.

  7. Walls aren't being cleaned.

  8. Packages aren't being delivered.

  9. The truth isn't being told.

  10. Rules aren't being followed.

Passive Voice: Positive Questions

  1. Is the trash being collected?

  2. Are the floors being swept?

  3. Is the baby being fed?

  4. Are the windows being cleaned?

  5. Is the mail being sorted?

  6. Are the trees being cut?

  7. Is a movie being filmed?

  8. Are the lights being fixed?

  9. Is the patient being seen?

  10. Are orders being taken?

Passive Voice: Negative Questions

  1. Isn't the house being sold?

  2. Aren't the results being checked?

  3. Isn't the bridge being built?

  4. Aren't the kids being watched?

  5. Isn't the meat being cooked?

  6. Aren't the bags being packed?

  7. Isn't the bill being paid?

  8. Aren't the streets being cleaned?

  9. Isn't the song being recorded?

  10. Aren't the chairs being moved?

 

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