Present continuous

Use

The present continuous is used to describe temporary actions or events which are either happening at the time of speaking,
e.g. I’m writing an email at the moment,
or events of a longer term but still temporary nature, which are happening around now,
e.g. I’m working on a sales project this week.

The present continuous is only used with active verbs (actions such as to do, to work, to go).

Note: State verbs such as to own and to know are normally not used with the present continuous.

Form

The present continuous is formed with the respective form of the verb to be and the -ing form of the verb:
work – am/is/are working
go – am/is/are going

Verbs which end with an –e: we simple remove the –e then add –ing form:
give – am/is/are giving.
Short verbs (i.e. with one syllable) which end with a vowel followed by a consonant, we simple double the consonant:
get – am/is/are getting

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Positive Sentences

I am working in Berlin this week.
She is giving a presentation at the moment.
We are staying in a nice hotel this week.

Negative Sentences

Negatives in the present continuous are formed with not between the subject and verb.

I am not working in Berlin this week.
She is not giving a presentation at the moment.
We are not staying in a nice hotel this week.

Questions

Questions are formed by inverting the subject and to be. Question words are placed at the start of the sentence.

Where are you working this week?
Is she giving a presentation at the moment?
Where are they staying this week?