Present and Past Continuous Verbs describe actions ongoing now, in the future and in the past respectively. Learn to apply them correctly here. Download sample worksheets or experience all by purchasing Learning Guide 3 from www.languagelab.sg/books

1. Languagelab 3.4
Verbs -
Present and Past Continuous
Tenses

2. Learning Objectives
To change verbs to show different
aspects.

3. Introduction

You have learnt that verbs – actions – need
'ed' to show a past action compared to a
present action.

An arrow in the Timeline is used as a
mental guide.

Present Tense:

Past Tense:

4. Power Challenge
What happens if we want to show a
duration?
For example, an action that started a
while ago and has not ended?

5. Continuous Tense
We use a left-to-right arrow or a horizontal
arrow to show continuous tense.

6. Present Continuous

With Present Continuous, we can describe both
when an action starts (past or present) and how
long it lasts (short or long period)!

Shown by: 'am' , 'is' , 'are' + 'verb ing'
1) He is studying.
2) They are revising.
3) I am revising.

7. Tips with Present Continuous

Present Continuous is used for an action still going
on (continuous) presently (present). Hence, the
name, present continuous.
1) Shawn is having dinner now.
2) I am preparing for my presentation tomorrow.
3) Fiona is sitting for an examination currently.
Present tense and Continuous aspect combine to
show when and how long an action is done.

8. Past Continuous

Past Continuous Verb refers to a moment
of a non-stop action in the past :

Shown by: 'was' or 'were' + 'verb ing'
1) They were singing in the karaoke for two
hours.
2) The fans were waiting for their idol when it
rained.

9. Tips with Past Continuous

Like present continuous, it is used to show a
continuous action but in the past. Hence, the term
past continuous.
1) The children were dancing in the dance hall.
2) We were having our dinner when the bell rang.
3) My parents were napping when I reached home.

Present and Past Continuous both have two words –
one shows tense and the other aspect.

10. Learning Activity

State the key words in these sentences that show
you that the verb – 'is walking' or 'was walking' –
is correct.
1) He is walking to school now.
2) He is walking to school with his mother.
3) He is walking to school because his father is not
driving.
4) He was walking to school just now.
5) He was walking to school when it rained.
6) He was walking to school for a while.

11. Learning Activity Answers

State the key words in these sentences that show
you that the verb – 'is walking' or 'was walking' –
is correct.
1) He is walking to school now.
2) He is walking to school with his mother.
3) He is walking to school because his father is not
driving.
4) He was walking to school just now.
5) He was walking to school when it rained.
6) He was walking to school for a while.

12. Discussion

What's the difference between aspect and verb?

What does Present Continuous show?

What does Past Continuous show?

13. In Summary

Tense shows when, aspect shows how an action
is done.

Present continuous shows non-stop action
happening now.

Past continuous shows non-stop action
happening last time.