Present Continuous

to be (am/is/are) + Ving         now     today  at the moment

I'm writing          we're talking             you're sleeping     He's cooking        They're discussing


1. Study this example situation:

Amy is in her car. She is on her way to work.

She is driving for work.

This means: She is driving now, at the time of speaking.

This is the Present Continuous Tense.

                                              I                      am = I'm driving                

                                              He/She/It           is = He's/She's/It's driving

                                              We/You/They  are = We're/You're/They're driving

2. We use the Present Continuous when we talk about something which is happening at the time of         speaking:

              -  Please don't make so much noise. I'm studying. (not 'I study')

              -  'Where is Maggy?'   'She's having a bath. (not 'she has')

              -  Let's go out now. It isn't raining any more.

              -  (at a party) 'Hello Ann. Are you enjoying the party? (not 'do you enjoy')

3. We also use the Present Continuous when we talk about something which is happening around the        time of speaking, but not necessarily exactly at the time of speaking.
     Study this example situation:   

          -  Tom and Liz are talking and drinking in a cafe. Tom says: 'I'm reading an interesting book                 at  the moment. I'll lend it to you when I've finished it'.

         [Tom is not reading the book at the time of speaking. He means that he has begun reading the              book but hasn't finished it yet. He is in the middle of reading it.]

          -  Silvia is learning English at the moment. (not 'learns')

          -  Have you heard about Bob?  He is building his own house. (not 'builds')

          [But perhaps Silvia and Bob are not doing these things exactly at the time of speaking.]

          -  He is attending the university. [He may attend the university for four or more years]

4. We often use the Present Continuous when we talk about a period around the present. For example     today, this season, etc .

           -  'You're working hard today'.  'Yes, I have a lot to do'.

           -   Jack isn't playing football this season. He wants to concentrate on his studies.

              

5. We use the Present Continuous when we talk about changing situations:

          -  The population of the world is rising very fast. (not 'rises')

          -  Is your English getting better? (not ' does ...get')

[Reference:

Murphy, Raymond (1985) English Grammar in Use, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

Wishon, George, E & Burks, Julia, M (1980) Let's Write English, New York, American Book Company

Thomson, A.J & Martinet, A.V (1961) A Practical English Grammar, Oxford, Oxford University Press]