The present continuous tense is made from the present simple tense of the verb “to be” and a verb + ing.[1]https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/english-grammar-reference/present-continuous
Subject + to be + verb –ing
When do we use the present continuous tense?
Action happening right now
The present continuous tense is used to talking about an action that you are doing right at the moment.
Positive
- I am studying English right now!
- You are watching a movie.
- He/she/it is eating dinner.
- We are studying for an exam.
- They are going to school right now.
Negative
- I am not studying English right now.
- You are not watching a movie.
- He/she/it is not eating dinner.
- We are not studying for an exam.
- They are not going to school right now.
Question
- Am I studying English right now?
- Are you watching a movie?
- Is he/she/it watching a movie?
- Are we studying for an exam?
- Are they going to school right now?
Action happening around right now
The present continuous tense is also used to talk about events that is happening right now but is not yet finished.
Positive
- I am reading a great book.
- You are cooking dinner.
- He/she/it is learning French.
- We are eating dinner.
- They are taking a test.
Negative
- I am not reading a great book.
- You are not cooking dinner.
- He/she/it is not learning French.
- We are not eating dinner.
- They are not taking a test.
Question
- Am I reading a great book?
- Are you cooking dinner?
- Is he/she/it learning French?
- Are we eating dinner?
- Are they taking a test?
When do you not use it?
Do not use the present continuous tense verb conjugation with stative verbs. Stative verbs show a state of being.[2]https://www.grammarly.com/blog/present-continuous/
When using stative verbs you should just use the present tense.
For example:
I am preferring chocolate ice cream to vanilla ice cream. (incorrect)
I prefer chocolate ice cream to vanilla ice cream. (correct)
Practice Exercises
References