KOMPAS.com – Present continuous tense used to indicate an action that is still or is being done.
Thus, when the conversation is in progress, an action or action has already begun and has not ended.
Excerpted from the book Basic English Grammar (2020) by Veronika Unun Pratiwi, present continuous tense is the form of the verb used to describe an action that is taking place now (present) or future plans (future).
Because it can be used on present and future, kind of tense it is often accompanied by adverb of time to make it clear.
Different from simple present tense, shape present continuous tense using verbs present verb ending in -ing or present participleas watching, reading, visiting, and so on.
Read also: Simple Present Tense Formula and Example Sentences
Formula present continuous tense
According to Rachmat Faisyal in the book Easy English Grammar (2016), the formula for arranging verbs in positive sentences begins with to be, that is is, am, and are.
While in negative sentences after to be plus the word notBecomes isn’t, am not and aren’t. As for the interrogative sentence to be takes precedence over the subject.
The formula above can be concluded as:
(+) S + be (is, am, dan are) + present particle
(-) S + be (is, am, dan are) + not + present particle
(?) To be (is, am, dan are) + S + present particle?
Example of sentences present continuous tense
Here are some examples of positive, negative, and interrogative sentences in present continuous tense:
Example 1:
(+) The ships are sailing / The ships are sailing.
(-) The ships are not sailing / The ships are not sailing.
(?) Are the ships sailing? / Are the ships sailing?
Read also: What are Passive Modals and What Are Example Sentences?
Example 2:
(+) They are having a good time – They’re having fun.
(-) They are not having a good time – They’re not having fun.
(?) Are they having a good time? / Are they having fun?
Example 3:
(+) Budi is reading magazine / Budi is reading a magazine.
(-) Budi isn’t reading magazine / Budi is not reading a magazine.
(?) Is Budi reading magazine? / Is Budi reading a magazine?
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