Present Continuous Tense or Present Progressive Tense - Past Continuous Tense or Past Progressive Tense - Daily English Grammar and Vocabulary Lessons - Practice Conversation in English

Important Note: Most Definitions and Examples on this page have been translated into Urdu Language. People who don't speak Urdu should not pay attention to these translations. Urdu Translations have been highlighted in yellow colour.

(1) Present Continuous Tense for Beginner Level Students

What is Present Continuous Tense?

A Present Continuous Tense defines those actions or events which have started and are not finished. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Kaam Jo Abhi Horaha Ho Orr Khatam Hona Baqi Ho)

Part (a)
Basic Rules of Present Continuous Tense

We use continuous form of verb like walking, sleeping, driving etc

We use auxiliary verbs “IS, AM, ARE” which agree with the following subjects in a sentence:

Part (b)
Examples:

• I am playing tennis. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Tennis Khel Raha/Rahi Hon)
• She is driving. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Gari Chala Rahi Hai)
• We are having dinner. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Raat Ka Khana Kha Rahe Hen)
• It is raining. (Urdu Meaning: Barish Ho Rahi Hai)
• Look! The stars are shining. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Dekho! Sitare Chamak Rahe Hen)
• They are painting the wall. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Dewar Ko Rang Karahe Hen)
• He is talking to his teacher. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Apni Teacher Se Baat Karaha Hai)
• You are sleeping. (Urdu Meaning: Ap Soo Rahe Ho)

Part (c)
More Examples with sentence types:

Affirmative Sentences	Negative Sentences	Interrogative Sentences
I am listening to the radio. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Radio Sun Raha/Rahi Hon)	I am not listening to the radio. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Radio Sun Raha/Rahi Nahi Hon)	Am I listening to the radio? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Mai Radio Sun Raha/Rahi Hon?)
Adam is living in Sydney. (Urdu Meaning: Adam Sydney Mai Reh Raha Hai)	Adam is not living in Sydney. (Urdu Meaning: Adam Sydney Mai Reh Nahi Raha Hai)	Is Adam living in Sydney? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Adam Sydney Mai Reh Raha Hai?)
They are waiting for taxi. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Loog Taxi Ka Intezar Karahe Hen)	They are not waiting for taxi. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Loog Taxi Ka Intezar Nahi Karahe Hen)	Are they waiting for taxi? (Urdu Meaning: Kya Woh Loog Taxi Ka Intezar Karahe Hen?)

Homework: Change the sentences in part (b) examples into negative and interrogative sentences.




(2) Present Continuous Tense for Intermediate Level Students

Part (a)
Commonly used time expressions or phrases with Present Continuous Tense

Adding time expressions to tenses is a good way to emphasize your statement. “NOW, RIGHT NOW, AT THE MOMENT, CURRENTLY, THESE DAYS, NOWADAYS” are the most common time expressions or phrases which we use with Present Continuous Tense. It is up to you if you want to use them or not.


Part (b)
1^st Use of Present Continuous Tense

We use Present Continuous Tense when someone is in the middle of an action, or an action is temporary. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Kaam Jo Abhi Horaha Ho Orr Khatam Hona Baqi Ho)

For example:

• I am doing the dishes at the moment. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Iss Waqt Bartan Dho Raha/Rahi Hon)
• We are not reading that News. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Woh Khabar Nahi Parh Rahe Hen)
• Lisa is not using her computer right now. (Urdu Meaning: Lisa Iss Waqt Apna Computer Istemal Nahi Karahi Hai)
• Is Chris drawing a picture at the moment? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Chris Iss Waqt Ek Tasweer Bana Raha Hai?)
• It is getting dark slowly right now. (Urdu Meaning: Abhi Ahista Ahista Andhera Ho Raha Hai)
• Are you watching TV right now? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Ap Iss Waqt TV Dekh Rahe Ho?)

Part (c)
2^nd Use of Present Continuous Tense

We use Present Continuous Tense for particular activities which are not happening at the time of speaking. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Uss Kaam Ki Baat Karte Hen Jo K Rozana Ho Raha Hota Hai Lekin Zarori Nahi Hai K Woh Kaam Ussi Waqt Hi Ho Raha Ho)

For Example:

I am working at a restaurant. (= I am not actually working at the moment. I am in the middle of an ongoing activity) (Urdu Meaning: Mai Ek Restaurant Mai Kaam Karahi Hon)

More Examples:

• She is learning yoga these days. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Aj Kal Yoga Seekh Rahi Hai)
• They are living in a small house. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Loog Ek Chote Ghar Mai Reh Rahe Hen)
• We are currently looking for a good business opportunity. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Fil-Hal Ek Achi Business Opportunity Ki Talash Karahe Hen)
• I am reading science books nowadays. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Aj Kal science ki Kitaben Parh Raha/Rahi Hon)
• Currently, we are providing shelter to the poor children. (Urdu Meaning: Fil-Hal Hum Gareeb Bachon Ko Panah Faraham Karahe hen)
• Most children are not paying attention to their teacher in the classroom. (Urdu Meaning: Classroom Mai Zyadah Tar Bache Apne Teacher Per Tawaja Nahi De Rahe Hen)
• Are you completing your engineering degree from XYZ University? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Ap XYZ University Se Apni Engineering Ki Degree Mukamal Karahe Hen?)

Part (d)
3^rd Use of Present Continuous Tense

We use Present Continuous Tense for events which have already been arranged. (Urdu Meaning: Agar Hum Ne Koi Kaam Karne Ka Pehle Se Decide Kar Liya Ho To, Uss Kaam K Liye Hum Present Continuous Tense Istemaal Karte Hen)

For Example:

• She is celebrating her birthday next week. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Agle Hafte Apni Birthday Celebrate Karne Ja Rahi Hai) 
• Are we meeting Uncle James tomorrow? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Hum Kal Uncle James Se Milne Jarahe Hen?)
• I am working on Saturday. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Iss Saturday Ko Kaam Kar Raha/Rahi Hon)
• They are not playing in the tournament this year. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Iss Saal Tournament Mai Nahi Khel Rahen Hen)
• Are they going to London for a month? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Woh Loog 1 Mahine K Liye London Ja Rahe Hen?)

Some commonly used verbs are "GOING, COMING, VISITING, ARRIVING, STAYING, LEAVING, PLAYING, EATING, DRIVING, FLYING, HAVING" etc

Remember that you must use time expressions like "TOMORROW, NEXT WEEK, IN APRIL" etc in such cases to show that you are talking about future.

We can also use "BE GOING TO DO" form.
For example: She is celebrating her birthday next week.
Or She is going to celebrate her birthday next week. (Both sentences have the same meaning)
To learn more about "BE GOING TO DO", click here: (http://amtuq1.blogspot.com/2014/07/future-tenses-future-simple-tense-or.html)


Part (e)
4^th Use of Present Continuous Tense

We use Present Continuous Tense for changes we have just started observing (such changes add extra information to the current situation) (Urdu Meaning: Agar Hum Kisi Kisam Ki New Changes Hote Dekhen Hen To Uss K Liye Hum Present Continuous Tense Istemal Karte Hen)

For Example:
My health is getting better. (= my health is getting better, which wasn't good or just good at first) (Urdu Meaning: Meri Sehat Behtar Ho Rahi Hai)

More Examples:
Car accidents are increasing due to heavy traffic. (Urdu Meaning: Heavy Traffic Ki Waja Se Car Accidents Barh Rahe Hen)

Is the market price of your house falling day by day? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Din Bhar Din Apke Ghar Ki Market Price Kam Ho Rahi Hai?)
He is beginning to understand math. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Ab Math Ko Samajhna Shuru Karaha Hai)
The sea level is rising. (Urdu Meaning: Samandar Ki Satah Barh Rahi Hai)

The verbs that are commonly used in such cases are “START, BEGIN, IMPROVE, GROW, FALL, RISE, INCREASE, BECOME, CHANGE, GET”

Part (f)
Present Continuous Tense used in a story/conversation

Story about Kimo

Kimo is a Kenyan citizen who is currently living in Los Angeles. He has come to US to study in a well-reputed university of Los Angeles. He is staying at his uncle’s home nowadays. Kimo is working at a gas station as a part-time employee. He is paying his entire college tuition fee from his earnings. Kimo is a wonderful sportsman and is playing football with his university friends at a local sports club. He enjoys all his activities and works hard but his uncle sometimes feels unhappy with him because he thinks Kimo is not taking good care of his health. We hope Kimo does well in his life.

Urdu Meaning of Story about Kimo
Kimo Ek Kenyan Shehri Hai Jo K Fil-Hal Los Angeles Mai Reh Raha Hai. Woh Los Angeles K Ek Achi Shohrat Wali University Mai Taleem Hasil Karne America Aya Hai. Aj Kal Woh Apne Uncle K Ghar Mai Ruka Hoa Hai. Kimo Ek Gas Station Mai Part-Time Mulazim K Tor Pe Kaam Karaha Hai. Woh Apni College Ki Puri Fees Apni Kamaye Se De Raha Hai. Kimo Ek Zabardast Khilari Hai Orr Ek Local Sports Club Mai Apne College K Doston K Sath Football Khel Raha Hai. Woh Apni Tamam Sargarmiyon Ko Enjoy Karta Hai Orr Bht Mehnat Karta Hai Lekin Uske Uncle Usse Kabhi-Kabar Khush Nahi Rehte Kiyon K Uske Uncle Ka Khiyal Hai K Kimo Apni Sehat Ka Theek Se Khiyal Nahi Rakh Raha Hai. Hum Umeed Karte Hen K Kimo Apni Zindagi Mai Ache Kam Karta Rahe.

Dialogue Practice with Present Continuous Tense (telephone conversation)

James: Hi, May I speak to Kelly? (Urdu Meaning: Hi, Kiya Mai Kelly Se Baat Karsakta Hon?)
Kelly: Yes this is Kelly. May I know who is speaking? (Urdu Meaning: Jee Mai Kelly Baat Karahi Hon. Kiya Maai Jan Sakti Hon K Kon Baat Karaha Hai?)
James: Hi, this is James. (Urdu Meaning: Hi Mai James Hon)
Kelly: Hi James. How are you? What are you doing? (Urdu Meaning: Hi James. Ap Kese Ho? Ap Kiya Karahe Ho?)
James: Oh, I am just ironing my shirt. What are you doing? (Urdu Meaning: Mai Bas Apni Shirt Istari Karaha Hon. Ap Kiya Karahi Hen?) 
Kelly: Well, I am preparing dinner. (Urdu Meaning: Kher Mai To Raat Ka Khana Tayyar Karahi Hon)
James: What are you cooking for dinner? (Urdu Meaning: Ap Raat K Khane K Liye Kiya Paka Rahi Hen?)
Kelly: I am baking cake, boiling some potatoes and roasting chicken. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Cake Bake Karahi Hon, Kuch Aalu Ubal Rahi Hon or Chicken Ko Owen Mai Paka Rahi Hon)
James: That’s great. (Urdu Meaning: Zabardast)
Kelly: What are you doing tonight? (Urdu Meaning: Ap Aj Raat Kiya Karahe Hen?)
James: Well, I have not decided yet. (Urdu Meaning: Kher Mene Abhi Tak Decide Nahi Kiya Hai)
Kelly: Would you like to join us for dinner tonight? My parents would be pleased to meet you. (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Ap Aj Raat Humare Sath Khana Khana Pasand Karenge? Mere Parents Ko Bht Khushi Hogi Apse Mil Kar)
James: Of course, I'd love to. When should I come? (Urdu Meaning: Bilkul Jee Shoq Se! Mujhe Kab Ana Chahiye?)

Kelly: at eight o’clock. (Urdu Meaning: 8 Bje)

James: Alright, I'll be there at eight. (Urdu Meaning: Thek Hai Mai 8 Bje Wahan Honga)
Kelly: Ok, see you then. Bye. (Urdu Meaning: Thek, Phir Mulaqat Hogi Apse. Bye)
James: Bye.

(3) Past Continuous Tense for all Level of Students

What is Past Continuous Tense?

We use Past Continuous Tense when someone was in the middle of action, or an event was taking place at a particular time in the past. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Kaam Jo Kabhi Ho Raha Tha)

Part (a)
Basic Rules

We use continuous form of verb like walking, sleeping, driving etc

We use auxiliary verbs “WAS and WERE” which agree with the following subjects in a sentence:

Part (b)
Examples:

• I was repairing the TV. (Urdu Meaning: Mai TV Repair Karaha/Karahi Thi)
• Children were sitting on the table. (Urdu Meaning: Bache Table Per Bethe Hoye The)
• We were living together. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Sath Reh Rahe The)
• It was snowing. (Urdu Meaning: Baraf-Bari Horahi Thi)
• She was scolding her son. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Apne Bete Ko Dant Rahi Thin)

Part (c)
More Examples with sentence types:

Affirmative Sentences	Negative Sentences	Interrogative Sentences
I was flying the airplane. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Jahaz Urha Raha Tha)	I was not flying the airplane. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Jahaz Urha Raha Nahi Tha)	Was I flying the airplane? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Mai Jahaz Urha Raha Tha?)
You were cleaning my carpet. (Urdu Meaning: Ap Mera Carpet Dho Rahe The)	You were not cleaning my carpet. (Urdu Meaning: Ap Mera Carpet Dho Rahe Nahi The)	Were you cleaning my carpet? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Ap Mera Carpet Dho Rahe The?)

Homework: Change the sentences in part (b) examples into negative and interrogative sentences.

Part (d)
Uses of Past Continuous Tense

The uses of both Present Continuous Tense and Past Continuous Tense are the same, the only difference is the timings of two situations. (Urdu Meaning: Present Continuous Tense Orr Past Continuous Tense Mai Farq Sirf Different Timings Ka Hai. Isko Samajhne K Liye Hum Dono Tenses Ko Apas Mai Compare Karenge)

For Example:

Present Continuous Tense

1^st Person: What are you doing now? (Urdu Meaning: Ap Abhi Kiya Karahe Hen?)

2^nd Person: I am reading a book. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Ek Kitab Parh Raha/Rahi Hon)

Past Continuous Tense

1^st Person: What were you doing yesterday at 9 am? (Urdu Meaning: Ap Kal 9 Bje Kiya Karahe The?)

2^nd Person: I was reading a book. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Ek Kitab Parh Raha Tha/Rahi Thi)

Present Continuous Tense

They are walking in the garden at the moment. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Loog Iss Waqt Garden Mai Walk Karahe Hen)

Past Continuous Tense

They were walking in the garden at that time. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Loog Uss Waqt Garden Mai Walk Karahe The)

Present Continuous Tense

Is Lisa taking French classes nowadays? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Lisa Aj Kal French Zaban Ki Classes Le Rahi Hai?)

Past Continuous Tense

Was Lisa taking French classes in those days? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Lisa Un Dinon French Zaban Ki Classes Le Rahi Thi?)

Present Continuous Tense

The sea level is rising. (Urdu Meaning: Samandar Ki Satah Barh Rahi Hai)

Past Continuous Tense

The sea level was rising during the summer season in 1995. (Urdu Meaning: Saal 1995 Ki Garmiyon Mai Samandar Ki Satah Barh Rahi Thi)

Here you can clearly see that we are using different time expressions and auxiliary verbs for Present Continuous Tense and Past Continuous Tense. The uses of both tenses are similar.

Part (e)
Past Continuous Tense used in a story/conversation

Dialogue Practice with Past Continuous Tense (Face-To-Face Conversation)
Sophie: Hello John! How are doing today? (Urdu Meaning: Hello John! Ap Aj Kese Hen?)

John: Hi Sophie, Good to see You. I am fine. What about you? (Urdu Meaning: Hi Sophie! Ap se Mil Kar Khushi Hoe. Mai Thek Hon. Ap Kesi Hen?)

Sophie: I am fine. Thank you. I phoned you yesterday at 9 pm, but you did not answer my call. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Thek Hon. Shukriya Apka. Mene Kal Raat 9 Bje Apko Call Ki Thi, Par Apne Meri Call Ka Jawab Nahi Diya)

John: I am really sorry for that Sophie. I did not hear the phone ringing as I was watching a movie at the cinema. After I saw your miss call at 11 pm, I was thinking about calling you back but it was too late at night. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Iss Baat K Liye Bht Mazrat-Khoah Hon Sophie. Mene Phone Bajne Ki Awaz Nahi Suni Kiyon K Mai Cinema Mai Movie Dekh Raha Tha. Raat 11 Bje Apki Miss Call Dekhne K Baad Mene Soch Raha Tha K Apko Wapis Call Karon, Lekin Kafi Raat Ho Chuki Thi)

Sophie: That’s ok, John. I just wanted to tell you that my cat has disappeared. I was looking for it inside and around my house all afternoon, but I could not find it. (Urdu Koi Baat Nahi John! Mai Sirf Apko Ye Batana Chahti Thi K Meri Billi Gayab Ho Chuki Hai. Mai Puri Dopahar Usse Ghar K Andar Orr Ghar K Charon Taraf Talash Karahi Thi, Lekin Mai Billi Ko Dhond Nahi Saki)

John: Don’t worry Sophie. It will come back home soon. In case it does not come back within a few more hours, report its disappearance to the nearest police station. (Urdu Meaning: Ap Fikar Na Karen Sophie. Apki Billi Jald Ghar Wapis Ajaye Gi. Agar Apki Billi Kuch Ghanton K Andar Wapis Nahi Aati, To Ap Qareebi Police Station Jake Apni Billi Ki Ghumshudgi Ki Report Karden)

Sophie: Thank you so much for encouraging me, John. You have always been helpful. (Urdu Meaning: Mujhe Hosla Dene K Liye Apka Bht Shukriya John. Ap Hamesha Mere Liye Madad-Gar Rahe Hen.)

John: Do not mention it Sophie. Take rest for some time when you go home as you sound quite tired. (Urdu Meaning: Shukriya Kehne Ki Zarorat Nahi Hai Sophie. Ghar Jaane K Baad Thodi Der K Liye Ap Aram Kijiye Ga Kiyon K Ap Kafi Thaki Hoye Lag Rahi Hen)

Sophie: Ok John, I will inform you as soon as I find my cat. I have to go somewhere. Take care, bye. (Urdu Meaning: Thek Hai John, Mai Apko Bata Dongi Jese Hi Mujhe Meri Billi Mil Jayegi. Mujhe Kahin Jana Hai. Apna Khiyal Rakhiye Ga. Bye)

John: Bye.









These notes have been conceived and prepared  by Sir Shahzad Ahmed.
Contact me: acquiescent.writer@gmail.com