subject + am/is/are + verb-ingUse be plus the -ing form to show an action in progress now.
Present Continuous
A1Present Continuous shows actions happening now and temporary situations around now. Build it with am/is/are + verb-ing.
What you'll learn
- Build Present Continuous with am, is, or are plus verb-ing.
- Choose the correct be form for the subject.
- Make negatives with am not, is not, and are not.
- Ask yes/no questions by moving be before the subject.
- Recognize markers like now and at the moment.
Structure
subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ingPut not after be. Keep the main verb in the -ing form.
Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing + ?Move be before the subject to make a yes/no question.
Build a sentence
Subject
Verb
Sheisworking
She is working now.
Use is with she.
When to use
Happening now
An action is in progress at this moment. Lisa is talking on the phone now.
Temporary situation
A situation is true around now, but not forever. Tom is staying with friends this week.
Changing situation
Something is developing around now. The weather is getting colder.
Markers
nowright nowat the momenttodaythis weekcurrently
Spelling
most verbs
→ + ingwork → workingfinal silent e
→ drop e, + ingmake → makingshort stressed verb + final consonant
→ double consonant, + ingrun → runningIn contrast
vs present-simple
Present Continuous = happening now or temporary. Present Simple = habits, routines, and general facts.
Common mistakes
Wrong
She working now.
Correct
She is working now.
Present Continuous needs be before the -ing form.
Wrong
They are play outside.
Correct
They are playing outside.
After am, is, or are, use the -ing form, not the base verb.
Wrong
He are cooking dinner.
Correct
He is cooking dinner.
He, she, and it take is, not are.
Wrong
Maria not reading the email.
Correct
Maria is not reading the email.
Negative Present Continuous keeps be and adds not after it.
Wrong
Tom is waiting outside?
Correct
Is Tom waiting outside?
Questions move am, is, or are before the subject.
Common misconceptions
❝ I can use Present Continuous only if the sentence has now. ❞
You can use Present Continuous without now if the context already shows the action is in progress: Anna is cooking dinner.
❝ Any present action should use Present Continuous. ❞
Use Present Continuous for actions in progress or temporary situations, but use Present Simple for habits and general facts.
Skills in this rule (8)
AM_IS_ARE_PLUS_INGw5Build Present Continuous with am/is/are + verb-ing
Use am, is, or are before the verb, then add -ing to the main verb. This is the basic pattern for actions in progress now.
CHOOSE_AM_IS_AREw5Choose am, is, or are for the subject
Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they. The auxiliary must match the subject every time.
ADD_ING_CORRECTLYw4Add -ing to the verb with the right spelling
Most verbs just add -ing. Drop final silent e before -ing, and double the last consonant in short stressed patterns like run → running.
NEGATIVE_WITH_NOTw5Make negatives with am not, is not, and are not
Put not after am, is, or are to say an action is not happening now. Keep the main verb in the -ing form.
QUESTION_WITH_BEw5Ask yes/no questions with Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing
Move am, is, or are before the subject to make a yes/no question. The main verb stays in the -ing form.
USE_FOR_NOWw4Use Present Continuous for actions happening now
Choose this tense for actions in progress at the moment of speaking. Time words like now and right now often appear with it.
USE_FOR_TEMPORARYw4Use Present Continuous for temporary situations
Choose this tense for situations around now that are not permanent. The action or situation is limited in time.
PICK_NOW_MARKERSw3Recognize markers that point to happening now
Words like now, right now, at the moment, and today often signal Present Continuous. They help you choose this tense over Present Simple.