English Present Progressive

aka Present Continuous

The English present progressive emphasises the course or duration of an action. It expresses:

  1. actions taking place at the moment of speaking
  2. actions taking place only for a limited period of time
  3. actions planned for the future

Certain words typically signal the use of the present progressive:

  • at the moment
  • just
  • just now
  • Listen!
  • Look!
  • now
  • right now

For example:

  • Affirmative
    • I am speaking at the moment.
    • I am watching that Bond film tomorrow.
  • Negative
    • Look! He's not watching TV.
    • We're not leaving right now.  
  • Interrogative
    • Are you doing that now?
    • Is she going university next year?
Let me take a look at that...