The Present Continuous Tense
-Progressive Action
(A) This tense is normally used for an action in progress that is temporary in nature (not for a permanent activity) in the present at the time of speaking.
For example
(i) She is not working. She is swimming in the river.
(ii) It is raining outside.
(B) It also expresses future action or a definite arrangement in the near future.
For example
(i) I am going to the cinema tomorrow. (ii) She is coming next week.
Additional Uses of Present Continuous Tense
(C) Continuous tense with 'always' may express an idea which is not to the liking of the speaker.
For example
(i) She is always teaching her children.
(ii) He is always praising his friends.
(D) There are some of the verbs which sometime don't admit of progressive action. Such verbs are called Non-progressive (Stative verbs),
For example
(i) Verbs of Perception See, taste, smell, hear, prefer, please.
(ii) Verbs of Thinking Process Think, know, mean, mind.
(iii) Verbs Showing Possession Own, have, belong, comprise, possess,contain.
(iv) Verbs Expressing Feelings or State of Mind Believe, like, love, want, wish, desire, hate.
(v) Verbs in General Look, seem, appear, affect, resemble, cost, require, stand, face, become.
(a) Study these sentences carefully
Incorrect
1. He is owning a car
2. We are hearing the bell.
3. This house is belonging to me.
4. I am not hating him.
5. Are you forgetting my name?
6. I am not meaning this..
7. I am having no house to live in. 8. She stands in the shade of a tree.
9. The temple is standing in the heart
of the city.
10. The book is containing good subject-matter.
Correct
He owns a car.
We hear the bell.
This house belongs to me.
I don't hate him.
Have you forgotten my name?
I don't mean this.
I have no house to live in.
She is standing in the shade of a tree.
The temple stands in the heart of the city.
The book contains good subject matter.