The Present Continuous tense, also known as the Present Progressive tense, is used to describe actions or events that are happening at the present moment or are in progress. It is formed using the auxiliary verb be (in the present tense) followed by the present participle of the main verb (which is typically formed by adding -ing to the base form of the verb).

I am eating breakfast. (The speaker is in the process of eating breakfast at the present moment.)

She is writing a letter. (The speaker is in the process of writing a letter at the present moment.)

Here are some more examples of sentences in the present continuous tense:

They are having a party tonight.

We are watching a movie.

He is studying for his exams.

I am waiting for the bus.

#1. The Present Continuous is formed by means of the Present Indefinite of the auxiliary verb to be and Participle I of the notional verb.

#2. In the interrogative form, the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject. And In the negative form, the negative particle not is placed after the auxiliary verb.

#3.  The contracted affirmative forms are:

I’m reading

She’s reading

We’re reading

The contracted negative forms are:

She isn’t reading

We aren’t reading

#4. The negative-interrogative forms are:

Am I not reading?

Is she not reading? = Isn’t she reading?

Are you not reading? = Aren’t you reading?

The present continuous tense is often used to describe temporary actions or events that are happening now but may not continue in the future. It can also be used to describe ongoing actions or events that are happening around the present moment. Here is detailed used cases of the Present Contionus tense:

#1. The Present Continuous is used to denote an action going on at the present It should be borne in mind that the term ‘present moment’ is not limited to the actual moment of speaking.

“My dear,” said Jolyon with gentle exasperation, “you are talking nonsense.” (Galsworthy)

Robert is just now speaking to my uncle and they are shaking hands. (Ch. Bronte)

How is Dartie behaving now? (Galsworthy)

David Copperfield is not to be got. The second-year students are reading it.

The Present Continuous can be used to denote a certain state or quality peculiar to the person at a given moment.

You are being a nuisance.

“You are being bitter,” said Karen. (Heym)

#2. When there are two actions one of which is in progress and the other is a habitual action, the first is expressed by the Present Continuous and the second by the Present Indefinite.

You never open your lips while you are painting. (Wilde)

I never talk while I am working. (Wilde)

#3. The Present Continuous is used to denote a future action with such verbs as to go, to come, to leave. The future action is regarded as something fixed.

I’m leaving tonight. (Abrahams)

He is coming to us tomorrow to stop till next month. (Collins)

#4. The Present Continuous is used to express a continual process. In this case, the adverbs always, constantly, and ever are used.

The earth is always moving. The sun is ever shining.

#5. The Present Continuous is used to express an action thought of as a continual process (with the adverbs always, ever, constantly). The action is represented as going on without any interval.

She is always grumbling.

“She is constantly thinking of you,” I said. (Wells)

The difference between case 4 and case 5 is as follows: what is said in No. 4 is literally true, whereas in No. 5 there is an element of exaggeration because the action, in this case, cannot go on without intervals. The exaggeration is generally called forth by emotion.

The Present Indefinite, not the Present Continuous, is used to denote actions going on at the present moment when the fact is important and not the process.

He did such a mean thing and you defend him. Why don’t you read your examples?

Why do you look at me as if you had never seen me?

Why don’t you answer? Good God, John, what has happened? (Thackeray)