Present Continuous Tense
We use the present continuous tense to show we are in the middle of an activity that is in progress at this moment. The activity started in the past and will go on in the future.
Examples: I am reading / I'm writing.
So when we use the present continuous tense we are talking about something that is still not yet finished or complete at the time of speaking.
The present continuous tense of any verb is formed with the simple present tense of the verb to be (=am, is, are) and the present participle of the main verb (verb + ing)
Example: I am eating a pie for lunch.
Example: Mike is walking out after a row with his girlfriend.
Example: Police are looking through a pile of papers and still haven't found what they want.
We use the present continuous tense:
for an action that is still happening at the time of speaking.
Example: She is cooking a meal now.
for an action that is still going on about this time but not necessary at the time of speaking.
Example: Jack is teaching at a secondary boys' school. (He is not actually teaching now. He may be watching television or playing with his cat at the moment of speaking.)
to talk about an action that has been planned or arranged to take place at a particular time in the immediate or distant future.
Example: We are performing magic tricks on stage in two weeks.
to describe a situation that is temporary and does not happen as usual.
Example: He is usually the hero of the film, but he is playing the role of a villain.
for a changing or evolving situation.
Example: Pollution is causing global warming.'
to describe a repeated action that the speaker finds irritating.
Example: He is forever making unfavourable comments about his mother-in-law.
with 'always', 'very often', 'forever', 'constantly' to describe an action that happens many times or frequently.
Example: My old car is always breaking down.
Example: I very often go to my mum's for tea or coffee.
Example: He told her that their love would last forever.
Example: She is constantly reminding me to pay back the money I owe her.
with time expressions such as now, at this moment, at present, in a minute, just now, today, tonight, tomorrow, nowadays, this week, next week, these days, this year.
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