Form of the Present Continuous

How do we form the Present Continuous?

We use a form of to be (am, are or is), the infinitive and the ending –ing.

1. Affirmative sentences in the Present Continuous

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

► Use am with I, is with he, she, it  and are with all other pronouns.

2. Negative sentences in the Present Continuous

• I am not playing tennis.
• You are not playing tennis.
• He is not playing tennis.
• She is not playing tennis.
• It is not playing tennis.
• We are not playing tennis.
• You are not playing tennis.
• They are not playing tennis.

Short/contracted forms in the Present Continuous