Guide to the Present Continuous – TOEIC® Preparation
Flow Exam team
The present continuous (or present continuous in English) is a fundamental grammatical tense for mastering professional English and succeeding in the TOEIC®. This verb form, constructed with the conjugated auxiliary be and a verb ending in -ing, allows for expressing actions currently in progress, temporary situations, or current projects. Knowing how to distinguish its different uses and employ it correctly in Parts 5 and 6 of the TOEIC® will allow you to gain valuable points. This detailed guide presents all the rules, exceptions, and tips for perfectly mastering this verb tense.
1. Construction of the Present Continuous
| Subject | Affirmative form | Negative form | Interrogative form |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | am working | am not working | Am I working? |
| You | are working | are not working | Are you working? |
| He / She / It | is working | is not working | Is he working? |
| We | are working | are not working | Are we working? |
| You | are working | are not working | Are you working? |
| They | are working | are not working | Are they working? |
2. The Different Uses of the Present Continuous
2.1. Action in Progress
We use the present continuous to express an action that is taking place precisely at the moment of speaking. The described activity is currently happening and is not yet finished when we talk about it.
I apologize, but Ms. Johnson is unavailable right now. She is meeting with a client.
2.2. Current Activities and Projects
The present continuous is also used to refer to projects under development or activities currently underway. These actions have a defined start and end date, even if they are not necessarily happening at the exact moment we are speaking.
At the moment, we are developing an innovative application designed to transform our industry, while simultaneously upgrading our legacy systems to serve our established clientele.
2.3. Temporary Circumstances
This grammatical tense indicates that a situation is transitory rather than permanent. The described action has a limited duration in time.
- Professor Williams teaches the corporate finance seminar: The simple present indicates that this is his usual role.
- Professor Williams is recovering from an illness, therefore Dr. Martinez is teaching the corporate finance seminar: The present continuous signals a temporary substitution, limited in time.
2.4. Gradual Evolutions
The present continuous expresses gradual transformations, ongoing developments, or current trends that are manifesting progressively:
The unemployment rate is decreasing across European markets.
2.5. Intentions for the Imminent Future
The present continuous is also used to communicate planned projects in the near or immediate future.
They're launching the campaign tomorrow. : Ils lancent la campagne demain.
3. TOEIC® Tips: Recognizing the Present Continuous
3.1. Presence of Time Indicators
The present continuous appears systematically accompanied by time markers that signal an ongoing or current action.
Main Time Indicators
- currently
- at the moment
- this year
- this week
- today
- still
- these days
- now
- meanwhile
- right now
Practical Illustrations
- The team is reviewing the quarterly results at the moment.
- Our department is implementing new procedures this year.
- She is still negotiating the contract terms right now.
3.2. The Adverb always with a Critical Connotation
When you spot the adverb always in a statement, your reflex should be to use the simple present! However, an important exception exists.
If the sentence conveys an implicit criticism, irritation, or annoyance, the present continuous is used to emphasize the repetitive and frustrating nature of the behavior.
- She always forgets her password: Simple present, this is an observed habit (She always forgets her password, it's recurrent...)
- She is always forgetting her password!: Present continuous - implying « and it's really exasperating! » (She is constantly forgetting her password, what irritation!)
To Go Further
To deepen your understanding of present tenses and optimize your TOEIC® preparation, we suggest consulting these complementary resources:
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