What is continuous tense?

Grammar Toolkit

Continuous tense

Grammar Toolkit

Continuous tense

Continuous tense describes an action that is, was or will be continuing.

It has a form of the verb to be plus the present participle of the main verb.

present continuous past continuous future continuous

I am talking I I

she she she

they they theyis talking

are talking

was talking

was talking

were talking

will be talking

will be talking

will be talking

The continuous tense is great for describing: • things happening now he is wondering• a temporary activity she was studying Italian• a changing situation your hair is getting long

Grammar Toolkit

Continuous tense

Complete the continuous tenses of these verbs.present continuous past continuous future continuous

I am flying I I

you are lying you you

it it was wriggling it

they know they they

is wriggling

was flying

were lying

knew

will be flying

will be lying

will be wriggling

will know

Note: don’t use the present participle with thinking verbs, like know, seem and like. These verbs should

use the simple present tense.

Grammar Toolkit

Continuous tense

• A verb shows action or being.• A verb’s tense tells when the action

takes place. • Continuous tense shows action that is,

was or will be continuing.

Grammar Toolkit

Continuous tense

The End