Continuous Verb Tenses
Verbs are words that express action (run) or a state of being (love). The action can also be
abstract rather than visible, such as the words think and decide.
Verb tense tells when an action occurred on a time line. There are three tense-
present, past, and future.
Aspect indicates whether an action is complete or not.
The simple aspect indicates that an action occurred, without an indication of when
it occurred.
The continuous (progressive) aspect indicates that the action is ongoing.
The progressive aspect indicates that the action is complete.
These two concepts are combined to give the twelve verb 12 different verb tenses. These are:
The simple tenses- present, past, and future
The continuous tenses- present, past, and future
The perfect tenses- present, past, and future
The perfect continuous- present past, and future.
Below is an explanation of the simple verb tenses and when they should be used.
The Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous tense is formed by using: is/am/ + main verb + ing ending.
Use the present continuous tense:
1. When talking about events, actions, or situations that are happening as one speaks.
He is sleeping now.
2. When talking about events, actions, or situations that happen over a given period of time.
She is studying French this semester.
3. When talking about temporary events, actions, or situations.
I am currently living in Rome.
4. When talking about events or situations that are developing or changing.
American railroads are becoming competitive again.
Practice
Working in pairs, ask each other the following questions, answering in the present continuous
tense. Each partner should ask and answer each question. Be sure to use complete sentences
in your answers. For additional practice, change the words in parenthesis to make your
own questions.
What is your mother (doing at this moment)?
Who (is talking the loudest in the classroom) right now?
Where are (you living at the present time)?
Are you (saving any money these days and, if so, what for)?
Is anyone (in the class yawning right now). If so, who?
Are any other members (of your family studying English, if so, why)?
What are you doing (to protect the environment)?
Is anyone in the classroom (coughing or sneezing right now)? If so, who?
Are any of the students in the class (wearing anything purple)? If so, who and what?
What is the person (on your right wearing)?
Who is (sitting next to you)?
Is (answering some of these questions) boring?
What is the name of the man who (is governing your country)?
Past Continuous Tense
The past continuous is formed using: was/were + verb + “ing” ending.
Use the past continuous tense:
1. When talking about events, actions, or situations that occurred at a particular time in
the past that have been completed.
Yesterday afternoon I was singing in the rain.
2. When talking about temporary events, actions, or situations that occurred in the past.
She was living in Seoul until she got married.
3. When talking about events, actions, or situations that happened simultaneously with
other past events, actions, or situations.
I was fixing my car when a friend came over to visit.
Some verbs that express mental states or forms of perception do not usually take the present
continuous tense. These verbs are:
Mental states
believe like seem need
know love prefer understand
want wish forget remember
Condition Perception
belong mean feel see
own resemble smell hear
have cost taste
Practice
Working in pairs, ask each other the following questions, answering in the past continuous
tense. Each partner should ask and answer each question. Be sure to use complete
sentences in your answers. For additional practice, change the words in
parenthesis to make your own questions.
What were you doing (the last time the electricity went out)?
What you were doing (the last time you hurt yourself)?
What were you (arguing about the last time you argued with someone)?
What were you doing (the last time it started to rain)?
What were you doing (the last time you got really physically exhausted)?
Where were you (living seven years ago)?
What were you doing (the last time you were really, really bored)?
What were you doing (during the news last night)?
What were you doing (at midnight last Sunday)?
What were you doing (the last time you got a headache)?
Future Continuous Tense
Future continuous tense is formed by using: will/shall + be + verb + “ing”.
Use the future continuous tense:
1. When talking about events, actions, or situations that will be going on at a particular
time in the future.
She will be going to the shopping mall next Saturday.
2. When talking about events, actions, or situations that will continue into the future.
Dr. Kim will be working at the hospital for the next five years, then he will retire.
3. When talking about events, actions, or situations which are fixed or expected to happen
in the normal course of things.
Next year, Kelly will be moving to France.
Practice
Working in pairs, ask each other the following questions, answering in the future continuous
tense. Each partner should ask and answer each question. Be sure to use complete
sentences in your answers. For additional practice, change the words in
parenthesis to make your own questions.
What will you be doing (after this class)?
Will you (be doing dishes tonight at your house)?
When will (you be going shopping next)?
Will your sister or brother (be going to the theater tonight)?
What will you be doing (next weekend)?
Where will (you be going on your next vacation)?
When will you (be eating next)?
When will you (be going to the movies next)?
How will you (be celebrating your next birthday)?
What kind of (job will you be looking for in the future)?
