Present Continuous Tense

What is Present Continuous Tense and When it is Used?

1. Present continuous tense is used to talk about something that is happening or not happening at this very moment.
For example:
* The children are sleeping. (They are sleeping right now.)
* I'm eating. (He is eating right now.)

2. It is used to talk about something that is happening before or after a time mentioned.
For example:

* At 2'O clock we are having lunch. (not eating right now, but at 2'O clock they are usually eating lunch.)
* When I get home, the children are usually sleeping. (not sleeping right now, but at that time, they are usually sleeping.)

3. It is used to talk about something that happens again and again. But this type of sentence must contain always or constantly in it.
For example:
He is always sleeping.
He is always coming late to school.
He is always crying.
(Note: These types of sentences give meanings like present simple tense, but with negative emotions.)

4. It is used to talk about something planned or arranged which will or will not happen in the near future.
For example:
1. I'm coming tomorrow. (planned)
2. I'm meeting him after 2pm. (planned)
3. I'm not going to school tomorrow. (planned)
4. What are you doing tomorrow. (planned)

5. It is used to talk about something that is in process of completion and it will take you a long time to finish the thing, but it might not be happening right now.
For example:
1. I'm studying science. (he might not be studying right now, but he is in the process of studying science.)
2. I'm working here for next 2 months.
3. I'm teaching at the school. (right now he is at home, he is not teaching right now, but in the process of teaching.)
Note:
In present continuous tense, is/am/are and ing form of verb are always used. Present Continuous tense is also called Present progressive tense.