The present continuous tense is used to describe an action that is happening at the present moment or around the current time. It is formed using the auxiliary verb (am, is, are) followed by the present participle form of the main verb (verb + -ing).
Here’s the formula for forming positive, negative, interrogative, interrogative negative and Wh-word sentences in the present continuous tense:
(1) Positive Form:
[Subject + am/is/are + ing form of verb + objects]
Examples:
- I am studying for my exam.
- He is playing football in the park.
- We are watching a movie tonight.
- They are cooking dinner together.
- She is singing a song on stage.
(2) Negative Form:
[Subject + am/is/are + not (ain’t/isn’t/aren’t) + ing form of verb + objects]
Examples:
- I am not going to the party tonight.
- He isn’t wearing his glasses.
- We are not playing video games right now.
- They are not listening to the radio.
- She isn’t studying French.
(3) Interrogative Form:
[Am/Is/Are + subject + ing form of verb + objects + ?]
Examples:
- Are you coming to the meeting?
- Is he playing the guitar?
- Are we going to the beach this weekend?
- Are they eating dinner already?
- Is she wearing a red dress?
(4) Interrogative Negative:
[Is/am/are + subject + not + ing form of verb + objects+ ?] OR [Isn’t/ain’t/aren’t + subject + ing form of verb + objects/ + ?]
Examples:
- Are you not studying for the exam?
- Isn’t she watching television?
- Aren’t they playing football?
- Isn’t he working on a project?
- Are we not going to the party tonight?
(5) Wh-word form:
[Wh-word + Auxiliary Verb (Am/Is/Are) + Subject + ing form of verb + object + ?]
Examples:
- What are you doing?
- Where is he going?
- Why are they laughing?
- When is she leaving?
- How are we getting there?