Structure: Subject + is/am/are + -ing form of the verb

• She is reading.
• I am writing.
• He is working.

The Present continuous tense is used:

1) To talk about an action that is happening at the moment of speaking

• I am writing now.
• They are playing.
• We are waiting for them.

When we use the present continuous tense, the emphasis is on the continuity of the action. Adverbs of present time like now, at the moment, at present etc., are common in the present continuous tense.

2) To talk about an action going on over a period of time. Note that the present continuous tense can be used to express this meaning even if the action is not going at the moment of speaking.

• Nowadays I am learning French. (The speaker may not be learning French at the moment of speaking, but he has been doing this over a period of time.)
• I am working in a factory.

3) To talk about an action going to take place in the future

• I am leaving for London tomorrow. (= I will leave for London tomorrow.)
• Wait, we are coming. (= We will come now.)

Verbs not used in the present continuous tense

Some verbs like see, hear, smell etc., cannot normally be used in the present continuous sense.

• I see a ship. (NOT I am seeing a ship.)
• I hear a strange voice. (NOT I am hearing a strange voice.)

Some verbs expressing mental or physical feelings cannot be used in the present continuous tense. Examples are: love, like, hate, wish, hope, forgive etc.

• I love you. (NOT I am loving you.)
• I like this city. (NOT I am liking this city.)

Other verbs that cannot normally be used in the present continuous tense are: think, remember, believe, know, understand, imagine, possess, own, belong, appear, seem, look etc.