PRESENT CONTINUOUS AND PRESENT SIMPLE TENSE

Annotation: This article provides information on Present continuous and present simple tenses.

The present continuous, also called the present progressive or present imperfect, is a verb form used in modern English that combines the present tense with the continuous aspect.It is formed by the present tense form of be and the present participle of a verb. The present continuous is generally used to describe something that is taking place at the present moment and can be employed in both the indicative and subjunctive moods. It accounts for approximately 5% of verbs in spoken English.The present continuous is formed by the present tense form of be and the present participle (-ing form) of the verb.[3][4]

For example you would write the verb work in the present continuous form by adding the -ing suffix to the verb and placing a present tense form of be (am, are, is) in front of it:

I am working.

You are working.

She is working.

We are working.

They are working.

The present continuous is used in several instances. Its most common use is to describe something that is happening at the exact moment of speech:

The boy is laughing.

This contrasts with the simple present, which is used to refer to something that occurs habitually (i.e. habits, unchanging situations, general truths, and fixed arrangements).

The present continuous is also used to describe a temporary activity, even if is not taking place at the exact moment of speech, or a temporary situation:

They are working in Dubai.

I am writing a book.