Grammar Guide

What is it?

The Present Continuous is used to talk about actions that are happening now or around the present time.

It is formed with the present form of to be and a verb ending in -ing.

Examples:

• I am working.
• She is reading.
• They are playing outside.

The short forms are common in everyday English.

• I am → I’m
• he is → he’s
• she is → she’s
• it is → it’s
• we are → we’re
• you are → you’re
• they are → they’re

When to use

Use the Present Continuous for:

• actions happening now: She is talking on the phone.
• actions happening around the present time: I am reading a new book this week.
• temporary situations: He is staying with friends.
• changing situations: The weather is getting colder.
• planned future arrangements: We are meeting them tomorrow.
• repeated actions that are annoying, often with always: He is always losing his keys.

Structure

Positive sentences

Use:

subject + am/is/are + verb-ing

Negative sentences

Use:

subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing

Examples:

• I’m not sleeping.
• He isn’t listening.
• We aren’t waiting.

Questions

Use:

Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing?

• Am I speaking too quickly?
• Is she working today?
• Are they coming with us?

Short answers

• Are you studying? — Yes, I am.
• Is he sleeping? — No, he isn’t.
• Are they waiting? — Yes, they are.

Spelling of -ing forms

Examples

1. I am writing an email.
2. She is cooking dinner.
3. They are playing in the garden.
4. We aren’t watching television.
5. He isn’t working today.
6. Are you waiting for the bus?
7. Is your brother sleeping?
8. The weather is getting warmer.
9. I am staying with my parents this week.
10. We are meeting Sarah tomorrow evening.

Exceptions

Some verbs are not normally used in continuous forms because they describe states, thoughts, feelings, possession, or senses.

Common examples include:

• know
• believe
• understand
• want
• need
• like
• love
• hate
• own
• belong

Use the Present Simple with these meanings.

• Correct: I know the answer.
• Incorrect: I am knowing the answer.
• Correct: She wants some water.
• Incorrect: She is wanting some water.

Some verbs can be used in both forms when their meaning changes.

• I think he is right. — This is my opinion.
• I am thinking about the problem. — This is a mental activity happening now.

Common mistakes

1. Incorrect: She working now. Correct: She is working now. Explanation: Use am, is, or are before the -ing verb.

2. Incorrect: I am work today. Correct: I am working today. Explanation: Use the -ing form after am.

3. Incorrect: They is playing outside. Correct: They are playing outside. Explanation: Use are with they.

4. Incorrect: He is play football. Correct: He is playing football. Explanation: Add -ing to the main verb.

5. Incorrect: Are she studying? Correct: Is she studying? Explanation: Use is with she.

6. Incorrect: I don’t working now. Correct: I’m not working now. Explanation: Use am not, not don’t, in Present Continuous negatives.

7. Incorrect: Does he sleeping? Correct: Is he sleeping? Explanation: Do not use does in Present Continuous questions.

8. Incorrect: She is makeing dinner. Correct: She is making dinner. Explanation: Remove the silent -e before adding -ing.