PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Present continuous is the verb form used for actions or events that are happening or developing now.

Subject + "am/is/are (not)" + Verb-ing + Object

1. Happening Now (now, at the moment, currently)

    Example:

    a. Sofi is sleeping at the moment.

    b. I am working at the moment.

    c. The kids are watching TV at the moment.

    d. I am reading a really interesting book now.

    e. Sorry, she can't come to the phone right now, she is having a bath.

2. Temporary Situations (at the moment, these days, for a few days, this month, this years)
    Example:
    a. I am staying with a friend for a few days.
    b. She is staying with her friend for a week.
    c. Mahmud is studying history for a few months.
    d. I am wearing these old trousers to school this week.
    e. We are moving to Packard Street this week.

3. Annoying Habits (always, forever, constantly)
    Example:
    a. You're always losing your keys!
    b. He is eating a lot these day.
    c. She is tapping her pencil on the desk and it is
    d. My teacher is always giving detentions; how can anyone be so mean?
    e. I am getting tired of you coming late to class.

4. Definite Future Plans (tonight, later, this weekend, tomorrow, next week)
    Example:
    a. I am meeting my father late.
    b. My mother is going to the dentist tomorrow.
    c. Do you know if he is going to the dance with me next week?
    d. I am playing tennis with Rohmat in this week.
    e. Are you doing anything on Sunday morning?

5. Changing Situations (little by little, gradually)
    Example:
    a. The weather is improving.
    b. I am getting better at playing the piano.
    c. The weather is improving.
    d. His level is changing little by little.

Source : Aplication 12 Tenses, English Grammar

PAST CONTINUOUS

Fast continuous is use to describes actions or events in a time before now, which began in the past and is still going on at the time of speaking.

Subject + "was/were" + Verb-ing + Object

1. Interrupted Action

    Example:

    a. I was taking a bath when the phone rang.

    b. At three o'clock, I was working.

    c. When Indra was driving, she noticed an animal in the road.

    d. Anisa called when Rahmat was studying.

    e. While the movie was playing, Mary ate popcorn.

2. Specific Time

    Example:

    a. Last night at 6pm, I was eating dinner.

    b. At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.

    c. Mahmud was warking on his essay last night.

    d. It was raining all the afternoon.

    e. At this time last week, I was lying on the beach in Bali.

3. Parallel Actions 

    Example:

    a. I was watching TV and he was reading.

    b. I was studying while he was making dinner.

    c. You phoned while I was having a bath.

    d. When I got home yesterday, a cat was sitting on the roof.

    e. It started to rain just as we were getting ready to have our picnic.

4. An Annoying and Repeated Action (Always)

    Example:

    a. He was always leaving the tap running.

    b. She was always coming to class late.

    c. Yazid was always coming late.

    d. My brother was always snoring.

    e. They were always making fun of him.

Source : Aplication 12 Tenses, English Grammar