The present continuous in English - TOEIC® preparation

1. Forming the present continuous

2. Use of the present continuous

2.1. Activity in progress

We use the present continuous to describe an activity in progress, something that is occurring now, as we speak. In the present continuous tense, the action is not yet complete.

I'm sorry, Mr. Dupont is not available at the moment. He is talking to a customer.

2.2. Current projects

We also use the present continuous to talk about actions, activities and projects in progress. These actions have a beginning and an end, and may not be happening right now.

Currently, we are working on developing a new software that should revolutionize the market, while continuing to maintain our existing product to satisfy our current customers.

2.3. Temporary situations

The present continuous is also used to show that an action or activity is temporary (and not permanent). This action or activity has a start and end date.

• Mr. Thompson teaches the advanced mathematics course : The present simple is used because that's usually its role.
• Mr. Thompson is recovering from surgery, so Ms. Anderson is teaching the advanced mathematics course : The present continuous tense is used because this is a temporary situation, with a start and end date.

2.4. Slow changes

The present continuous tense is used to describe situations that are constantly evolving, current trends or slow changes that are taking place :

The inflation rate is climbing in South America.

2.5. Expressing the very near future

The present continuous tense is also used to express plans for the very near future.

I'm meeting her soon. : Je vais la rencontrer bientôt.

3. TOEIC® tips: when to use the present continuous?

3.1. With adverbs of time

The present continuous tense is almost always used with adverbs of time.

List of adverbs of time

• currently
• at the moment
• this year
• this week
• today
• still
• these days
• now
• meanwhile
• right now

Exemples

1. She is studying for her exams at the moment.
2. We are planning a trip to Japan this year.
3. He is still working on the project right now.

3.2. With always to review

When you see the adverb of frequency always in a sentence, you should immediately think of using the simple present! However, there is one exception.

If the sentence is trying to convey criticism, negative emotion, exasperation, we use the continuous present to express the fact that it's aggravating.

• He always loses his keys : Present simple, it's habitual (He always loses his keys, we're used to him ...)
• He is always losing his keys! :Present continuous - implied "and it's annoying!" (He's always losing his keys, it's annoying!).

Conclusion

If you'd like to learn more about the present, in order to master this time for your TOEIC® exam, we recommend you consult these other articles:

1. The present tense for the TOEIC® - an overview
2. The present simple for the TOEIC®
3. The present simple VS the present continuous for the TOEIC®