The present progressive tense is used to describe actions that are happening now or around the time of speaking, changing situations, and things that are always true. It can also be used to talk about plans for the near future. Some verbs like have, think, feel, know, like, love, remember, and want cannot be used in the present progressive form. To form the present progressive, use the present form of the verb be plus the -ing form of the main verb.

1. Grammar reference: Present progressive tense (Present continuous)
Use
We use the Present Continuous to talk about:
• things that are happening just around the time when we speak:
• They’re breaking the safety rules.
• changing and developing situations: I work in a laboratory.
• things that are always true: The number of accidents is going up.
We can also use the Present Continuous to talk about plans and intentions for the near future:
• What are you doing tomorrow? - I’m doing a farm inspection.
• I’m leaving tomorrow.
There are some verbs which cannot be used in the Present Progressive:
• have (= possess)
• thinking and feeling verbs such as dislike, hate, know, like, love, remember, want.
• I hate my new job. NOT I’m hating my new job.
Form
AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES
= subject + are / is / are + -ing form
NEGATIVE SENTENCES
= subject + are / is / are + not + -ing form
INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES
= Are / is / are (+ not) + subject + -ing form
SHORT ANSWERS
Bibliography: Swan, Michael & Catherine Walter (2011) Oxford English Grammar Course. Intermediate, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
I am working (= I’m working)
you / we / they are working (= You’re working)
he / she / it is working (= She’s working)
I am not working (= I’m not working)
you / we / they are not working (= You’re not working / You aren’t working)
he /she / it is not working (= She’s not working / She isn’t working)
Am I / (not) working ?
Are you / we / they (not) working ?
Is he /she / it (not) working ?
I Yes, I am. No, I’m not.
You / We / he Yes, we are. No, we aren’t. / No, we’re not.
He / She / It Yes, he is. No, he isn’t. / No, he’s not.
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