In this lesson, you’ll learn how use present and past continuous tenses in business contexts.

In professional communications and job searches, you will want to use continuous tenses. The continuous tenses can help you express things you are doing, as well as share information about things you have done while doing something else.

Present Participle Review

To use the continuous tenses, you need to know how to form the present participle of verbs. The present participle is formed by adding -ing to the base form of the verb. See the example below:

I am working here. (work + -ing)

Many present participle verbs are formed this way, but there are other verbs that have to be changed before the -ing can be added. We will not study all the spelling rules for creating present participles, but here are a few examples of how we change some verbs to present participle:

Our customers are begging for more queso. (beg + g + -ing)

They are closing the deal today. (drop silent e + -ing)

If you are unsure whether a verb needs to be changed to make the present participle, do a quick internet or dictionary search. This will help you determine how to form the present participle of the verb. Let’s study continuous tenses now.

Present Continuous

The present continuous tells about an action that is happening now. You can use it to tell about the work you do, the skills you have, the school you attend, etc.

It is formed by using the present tense of “to be” (is, am, are) with a present participle verb. Let’s look at an example:

Adam is teaching in the conference room. (is + teaching)

In the above example, we know that Adam is in the conference room now and that he is teaching.

Now let’s consider how you can use present continuous to tell about yourself in your cover letter, in your résumé, and in interviews. See the examples below:

I am studying health sciences at BYU-Idaho.
I am running the kitchen at the Friendly Café.
I am submitting this application for the nurse position posted on Monster.com.
I am planning to start a Master of Arts program after I graduate.

Notice how you can use present continuous to tell what you are doing every day, what you can do, what you are doing now, and even what you will do.

Past Continuous

The past continuous is used to describe a time when an action happened in the past. It can also tell about an action that happened when something else was happening. It is formed by using the past tense of “to be” (was, were) with a present participle verb. Let’s look at an example:

Vida and Peter were creating plans for that building last year. (were + creating)

In the above example, we know that last year (time), Vida and Peter created plans (past action—use past continuous) for the building.

Now, let’s learn how to use past continuous to explain an action that happened during a longer event. To do that, use the words while or when, plus past continuous to describe the longer event. Then use simple past to describe the action that happened during the long event. See the example below:

While Jon was working as a housekeeper, he learned English. (was + working)

In the above example, we know that when Jon worked as a housekeeper (long event—use past continuous), he learned English (short event—use simple past).

Now let’s consider how you can use past continuous to tell about yourself in your cover letter, in your résumé, and in interviews. See the examples below:

Three years ago, I was studying business management at my local college.
I was working as a taxi driver two months ago.
While I was living in England, I worked as a teacher.
When I was caring for my young children, I studied at night.

Remember, past continuous tense can help you describe when something happened in the past, or tell about an action that happened in the past during a longer event.

Practice Problems

1. True or False: The following sentence is in present continuous tense.Tim and Juan are attending a business lunch.
2. True or False: The following sentence is in present continuous tense.I have been working here since I was 18.
3. True or False: Thee following sentence is in past continuous tense.She had been training the new employees.
4. True or False: The following sentence is in past continuous tense.I am sending these packages back to the sender.
5. Select the option that shows the verb in present continuous form:
I currently _____ the billing department.

1. am directing
2. was directing
3. have been directing
4. will be directing

6. Select the option that shows the verb in present continuous form:
In the fall, I ____ to graduate.

1. am planning
2. have a plan
3. was planning
4. will plan

7. Select the option that shows the verb in past continuous form:
While my son ____ high school, I enrolled in English classes.

1. was finishing
2. finished
3. is finishing
4. will be finishing

8. Select the option that shows the verb in past continuous form:
I ____ the job listings yesterday.

1. had read
2. read
3. was reading
4. did read

9. Select the option that shows the sentence in present continuous tense.

1. We will be interviewing candidates at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.
2. We are interviewing candidates at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.
3. We can interview candidates at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.
4. We shall interview candidates at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.

10. Select the option that shows the sentence in past continuous tense.

1. When I had been managing the Retreat Inn, profits increased by seven percent.
2. When I had managed the Retreat Inn, profits increased by seven percent.
3. When I managed the Retreat Inn, profits increased by seven percent.
4. When I was managing the Retreat Inn, profits increased by seven percent.

Need More Help?

1. Study other English Language Practice pages in the Resource Center.
2. Visit the Online Tutoring Resources in the Resource Center.
3. Contact your Instructor.
4. If you still need help, Schedule a Tutor.