Mastering the Present Continuous Tense with 100 Examples

Definition:

The Present Continuous Tense (also called the Present Progressive Tense) is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment or temporary actions that are ongoing. It can also indicate future plans.

Structure:

  • Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are + verb + ing
    • Example: She is reading a book right now.
  • Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + verb + ing
    • Example: They are not playing outside.
  • Interrogative: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb + ing?
    • Example: Are you watching the movie?
A teacher pointing to a whiteboard with present continuous examples like “She is reading” and “They are playing,” while students take notes
The present continuous tense describes actions happening right now or around the present moment. It’s formed with “am/is/are” + verb-ing. These 100 examples show how it’s used in daily life, work, school, and more.

100 Examples of Present Continuous Tense

1. Ongoing Actions:

  1. She is cooking dinner right now.
  2. They are playing soccer in the park.
  3. I am watching a movie at the moment.
  4. He is writing an essay.
  5. The kids are swimming in the pool.
  6. We are waiting for the bus.
  7. The dog is barking loudly.
  8. She is studying for her exams.
  9. I am reading a new novel.
  10. They are dancing at the party.

2. Temporary Actions:

  1. I am staying with my parents this week.
  2. He is working on a new project.
  3. They are living in London for the summer.
  4. We are visiting our grandparents this weekend.
  5. She is learning French at the moment.
  6. He is attending a seminar for the next few days.
  7. I am taking a break from work.
  8. The company is hiring new employees.
  9. We are redecorating our house.
  10. She is recovering from the flu.

3. Future Plans:

  1. I am meeting Sarah tomorrow.
  2. They are leaving for Paris next week.
  3. We are having a party this Saturday.
  4. He is flying to New York next month.
  5. She is starting her new job next week.
  6. We are going hiking this weekend.
  7. They are visiting their cousins next month.
  8. I am taking a trip to Italy next year.
  9. He is joining the gym tomorrow.
  10. She is baking a cake for tomorrow's event.

4. Current Activities:

  1. She is cleaning her room.
  2. He is fixing his bike.
  3. They are practicing for the game.
  4. I am brushing my teeth.
  5. The children are playing in the yard.
  6. We are shopping for groceries.
  7. He is watching TV.
  8. She is talking on the phone.
  9. They are studying together for the test.
  10. I am packing my bags for the trip.

5. Describing Changes:

  1. The weather is getting colder.
  2. He is becoming more confident.
  3. She is improving her grades.
  4. The city is expanding rapidly.
  5. I am learning to play the guitar.
  6. The flowers are blooming beautifully.
  7. The prices are increasing this year.
  8. He is growing taller every day.
  9. Technology is advancing quickly.
  10. They are building a new mall downtown.

6. Parallel Actions:

  1. I am reading while they are playing outside.
  2. She is cooking dinner, and he is setting the table.
  3. They are watching TV, and I am working on my project.
  4. I am cleaning the house while she is studying.
  5. He is driving, and I am giving directions.
  6. The children are drawing while the parents are talking.
  7. We are listening to music while we are working.
  8. They are discussing the plan while we are finalizing the details.
  9. She is dancing while he is singing.
  10. We are waiting while they are getting ready.

7. Negative Actions:

  1. I am not eating junk food anymore.
  2. She is not attending the meeting today.
  3. They are not going to the party tonight.
  4. He is not driving to work today.
  5. We are not watching the movie now.
  6. She is not studying for her test right now.
  7. They are not swimming in the lake.
  8. I am not playing video games this evening.
  9. He is not practicing the piano.
  10. We are not traveling this weekend.

8. Expressing Annoyance:

  1. You are always interrupting me!
  2. She is constantly complaining about her job.
  3. They are always making a mess in the kitchen.
  4. He is always arriving late.
  5. You are always forgetting your keys.
  6. She is always borrowing my clothes.
  7. He is constantly texting while we are talking.
  8. They are always playing loud music.
  9. You are always leaving the door open.
  10. He is always talking during meetings.

9. Describing an Ongoing Trend:

  1. People are becoming more health-conscious.
  2. The company is growing rapidly.
  3. Social media is gaining more users.
  4. He is focusing more on his career.
  5. The world is changing due to technology.
  6. People are adopting eco-friendly practices.
  7. She is investing more in education.
  8. The team is improving with every match.
  9. The population is increasing in urban areas.
  10. People are spending more time online.

10. Describing Immediate Situations:

  1. I am waiting for the bus right now.
  2. She is making breakfast.
  3. They are talking about the new project.
  4. He is calling the client right now.
  5. We are sitting in the park.
  6. She is taking a nap at the moment.
  7. I am working on my assignment.
  8. They are eating lunch together.
  9. He is getting ready for the meeting.
  10. We are relaxing after a long day.