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Present Uses
1: First, we use the present continuous for things that are happening at the moment of speaking. These things usually last for quite a short time and they are not finished when we are talking about them.
- I'm working at the moment.
- Please call back as we are eating dinner now.
- Julie is sleeping.
- John's working in a bar until he finds a job in his field. (He might not be working now.)
- I'm reading a really great book.
- She's staying with her friend for a week.
- I work in a school. (I think this is a permanent situation.)
- I'm working in a school. (I think this is a temporary situation.)
- He's eating a lot these days.
- She's swimming every morning (she didn't use to do this).
- You're smoking too much.
- You're forever losing your keys!
- She's constantly missing the train.
- Lucy's always smiling!
5: The next use is for definite future arrangements (with a future time word). In this case we have already made a plan and we are pretty sure that the event will happen in the future.
- I'm meeting my father tomorrow.
- We're going to the beach at the weekend.
- I'm leaving at three.
Read more about the difference between the present simple and the present continuous here.
Try some exercises about the present continuous here.
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