1
the tense used to talk about actions or behaviour that are in progress now or planned for the future. The present continuous consists of ‘am’, ‘is’ or ‘are’ and a present participle. For example, in the sentences ‘What is she trying to achieve?’, ‘We are listening carefully to all your suggestions’, and ‘I’m leaving for China tomorrow’, the verb groups ‘is trying’, ‘are listening’ and ‘am leaving’ are present continuous.
Synonyms and related words
Verb forms and tenses
aspect
auxiliary verb
conjugation