present continuous questions
Level One
Lesson 18
To form questions in the present continuous tense, use this word order:
(be) + subject + main verb + ing
Is it raining today?
- be = Is
- subject = it
- main verb = rain +
- “ing”
- ?
The verb “be” is capitalized when it appears at the beginning of the question. End the question with a question mark: ?
Take Quiz #18 – the present continuous tense – questions when you are ready.
Why do we use the present continuous tense?
There are three main reasons for this verb tense:
- To talk about things that are happening right now.
- To talk about things that are happening in a person’s life.
- To talk about things that are likely to happen in the future.
Is she taking care of her chickens?
- be = Is
- subject = she
- main verb = take / take care
- “ing”
- prepositional phrase = of her chickens
- ?
18a. forming the question ✍🏾
(be) + subject + _____ing
singular
Am I walking?
Are you walking?
Is he walking?
Is she walking?
Is it walking?
plural
Are we walking?
Are you walking?
Are they walking?
Pay attention to the verb “be” and the way it changes:
am / is / are
The verb “be” goes before the subject.
Think about the subject to choose the correct form of “be.”
18a. forming the question ✍🏾
(be) + subject + _____ing
Is the rabbit running?
Why is it running?
To ask a question for a “yes” or “no” answer, begin with the verb “be.”
To ask a question for information, put a question word (who, what, where, when, why, etc.) before the verb “be.”
18b. happening now
The present continuous tense is used for activity that is happening right now at this moment. Here are some examples of questions:
- Are you learning English right now? (Are + you + learn + ing + ?)
- Is the sun shining? (Is + the sun + shine + ing + ?)
- Is she studying English? (Is + she + study + ing)
- Are they enjoying themselves? (Are + they + enjoy + ing)
- Where are they going? (Where + are + they + go + ing)
(be) + subject + main verb + ing
18b. happening now
- Is she drinking her coffee?
- Is she getting ready for work?
- What is she thinking about?
This activity is happening now.
18c. happening in your life
The present continuous tense is used to ask questions about a person’s life. These activities are ongoing. They don’t stop.
- Am I working as a teacher?
- Are you going to school?
- Where are you living?
- How much money are you making at your job?
(be) + subject + main verb + ing
18c. happening in your life
- What are they all doing this week?
- Are they all working at the same construction site?
- Who is paying them to do their jobs?
18d. happening in the future
The present continuous tense is used to ask questions about things that are happening in the future.
- What are your friends doing this weekend?
- Are you going anywhere this summer?
- Who’s making dinner for you tonight?
- Are you making dinner?
- When is the school having its next big event?
- Which country is hosting the winter Olympics? (Notice that this question puts the subject (country) before the verb (is hosting.)
(be) + subject + main verb + ing
18d. happening in the future
He’s thinking about what he is doing later today and this weekend.
These questions are for future activities:
- Am I playing baseball this weekend?
- What are my friends doing this Saturday?
- What are you doing after school today?
In Lesson Nineteen, you will learn how to use “will” for the future tense.