Using the present simple and continuous

Using the present continuous

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The present continuous is typically used to refer to actions and events that are in progress. However, the present continuous is also used if a mental process is interpreted as an activity:

Is that the thing you are thinking about? (Bank of English)

Here, are thinking represents a kind of activity.

This file gives details of the uses of the present continuous.

You may either read through this file page by page or jump to a specific page by clicking on one of the choices below.

Introduction
Actions or events in progress
Repeated actions
Planned actions
With verbs representing thinking
With verbs representing perception
With verbs representing likes and dislikes
With verbs representing desires and needs
With verbs representing being and having