How to form the Present Continuous: table
To be in the present (am, is, are) + the main verb with -ing. For the negative add not; for a question put am / is / are before the subject. No do is needed.
| Form | I | he / she / it | you / we / they |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive | I’m working. | She’s working. | They’re working. |
| Negative | I’m not working. | She isn’t working. | They aren’t working. |
| Question | Am I working? | Is she working? | Are they working? |
| Short answer | Yes, I am. / No, I’m not. | Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t. | Yes, they are. / No, they aren’t. |
When to use the Present Continuous
Actions happening right now
At the moment of speaking.
Shh! The baby is sleeping.
Look! It’s snowing.
Temporary situations around now
Not necessarily this second: this week, this month, for now.
I’m reading a great book at the moment.
not necessarily this second
She’s staying with her parents this month.
Future arrangements
When it is already arranged: the time, the place, the tickets. Compare with Future Simple and be going to.
We’re meeting Anna at 7 tonight.
What are you doing on Saturday?
Changes and trends
Something is gradually changing.
Your English is getting better.
Prices are going up.
Annoying habits with always
Always + Present Continuous is a complaint.
He’s always losing his keys!
and it annoys me
Present Continuous signal words
- now
- right now
- at the moment
- today
- this week
- these days
- currently
- Look!
- Listen!
- tonight
- tomorrow
Tonight, tomorrow, next week with the Present Continuous mean an arrangement, not an action now: I’m flying to Lviv tomorrow.
Spelling: how to add -ing
| Rule | Examples |
|---|---|
| most verbs: + -ing | work → working, read → reading, play → playing |
| silent -e is dropped | write → writing, make → making, come → coming |
| short stressed vowel + consonant: double it | sit → sitting, run → running, swim → swimming, begin → beginning |
| -ie → -ying | lie → lying, die → dying, tie → tying |
| -ee, -ye, -oe: keep the -e | see → seeing, agree → agreeing |
State verbs: when not to use the Continuous
Verbs that describe a state rather than an action are not usually used in the Continuous, even about “now”. Use the Present Simple.
| Group | Verbs |
|---|---|
| thinking | know, believe, understand, remember, forget, mean |
| feelings | like, love, hate, want, need, prefer |
| senses | see, hear, smell, taste, seem |
| possession | have (= own), own, belong |
I think you’re right. — I’m thinking about it.
opinion vs process
She has a car. — She’s having lunch.
possession vs activity
Common mistakes
What learners of English often say. On the left — the mistake, on the right — the correct version.
Wrong:
I working now.Right: I’m working now.
You need am / is / are.
Wrong:
Do you working?Right: Are you working?
Questions use am / is / are, not do.
Wrong:
I’m wanting a coffee.Right: I want a coffee.
Want is a state verb: Present Simple.
Wrong:
She is writeing.Right: She is writing.
Drop the silent -e before -ing.
Wrong:
I go to the cinema tonight with Max.Right: I’m going to the cinema tonight with Max.
A fixed arrangement: Present Continuous.
Check yourself
Quiz: Present Simple vs Present Continuous
12 questions with an explanation after every answer. Free, no sign-up.
I work · I’m working