The present continuous negative form is used to express that an action is not happening at the current moment or is not ongoing. It is formed using the present continuous structure with a negation. Here’s how to form and use the present continuous negative:

Structure

Form: Am/Is/Are + not + [present participle of the verb]

Contraction: “Am not” remains the same, “is not” is often contracted to “isn’t,” and “are not” to “aren’t.”

Examples

1. I am not (I’m not) eating lunch right now.
   This implies the speaker is not in the process of eating lunch at the moment.
2. She is not (isn’t) working today.
   This means she is not engaged in work currently.
3. They are not (aren’t) playing soccer.
   This indicates they are not involved in playing soccer at this moment.
4. We are not (aren’t) watching TV right now.
   Suggests that the action of watching TV is not happening currently.

Present Continuous Negative Sentences Examples

1. I am not (I’m not) studying for my exams.
   (The action of studying is not happening at this moment.)
2. She is not (isn’t) running in the marathon today.
   (She is not participating in the marathon today.)
3. They are not (aren’t) building a new house.
   (The construction of the house is not taking place currently.)
4. We are not (aren’t) having lunch at the moment.
   (The action of having lunch is not occurring now.)
5. He is not (isn’t) working today.
   (He is not engaged in work currently.)
6. The children are not (aren’t) playing in the garden.
   (The children are not engaged in playing right now.)
7. I am not (I’m not) learning to play the guitar.
   (The action of learning to play the guitar is not happening currently.)
8. She is not (isn’t) shopping for groceries.
   (The action of shopping is not happening at this moment.)
9. We are not (aren’t) traveling to New York next week.
   (This is a future plan expressed in the present continuous negative form, indicating it will not happen.)
10. He is not (isn’t) reading the news online.
    (The action of reading the news is not happening currently.)
11. The teacher is not (isn’t) explaining the lesson.
    (The explanation is not taking place now.)
12. They are not (aren’t) discussing the new project.
    (The discussion is not ongoing at the moment.)
13. I am not (I’m not) feeling well today.
    (The state of not feeling well is current.)
14. She is not (isn’t) planning her vacation.
    (The planning is not happening right now.)
15. We are not (aren’t) waiting for the bus.
    (The waiting is not ongoing at this moment.)
16. He is not (isn’t) playing the piano.
    (The action of playing the piano is not happening now.)
17. The students are not (aren’t) preparing for the exam.
    (The preparation is not currently taking place.)
18. You are not (aren’t) always losing your keys.
    (This describes an action that is not happening repeatedly in the present continuous negative to express that it’s not a common occurrence.)
19. I am not (I’m not) visiting my grandparents this weekend.
    (A future plan expressed in the present continuous negative form, indicating it will not happen.)
20. She is not (isn’t) thinking about moving to a new city.
    (The thought process is not happening currently.)

The present continuous negative tense is essential for describing actions that are not happening at the current moment, temporary situations that are not occurring, and future plans that will not take place. Using this tense accurately helps convey the immediacy and ongoing nature of actions and states in English.

Related Articles:

• Questions in Present Continuous Tense with Examples
• Difference between Present Simple vs. Present Continuous with example
• Going to and Present Continuous for Future Plans and Arrangements
• Present Continuous Sentences With Examples
• Present Continuous Tense: How to Use It, With Examples