Form
Positive
| Subject | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | am + verb-ing | I am working now. |
| He / She / It | is + verb-ing | She is studying at the moment. |
| You / We / They | are + verb-ing | They are watching TV. |
Contractions: I'm, he's/she's/it's, you're/we're/they're working
Negative
| Subject | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | am not + verb-ing | I am not working right now. |
| He / She / It | is not + verb-ing | He isn't coming. |
| You / We / They | are not + verb-ing | They aren't waiting. |
Questions
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yes/No | Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing? | Are you working now? |
| Wh- | Wh- + am/is/are + subject + verb-ing? | What are you doing? |
Important:
The verb BE changes with the subject. Always use the -ing form of the main verb — never the base form: "She is working" (NOT "She is work")
Use
| Use | Examples |
|---|---|
| Action happening right now |
Shh! The baby is sleeping.
"What are you doing?" — "I'm watching a film."
|
| Temporary situation (not permanent — often an emergency contingency) |
My friend is staying with me for a couple weeks until she finds her own place.
I'm driving my mom's car until I have mine fixed.
We are having class without a camera until I repair my PC.
Normal state: class with camera → Emergency: camera broken → Contingency: class without camera (until fixed) |
| Changing or developing situation getting/becoming + adjective/comparative |
The climate is getting warmer.
Prices are rising quickly.
|
| Fixed future arrangement or future intentions Not just an idea in someone's head — a real step has already been taken to make it happen: tickets bought, a date confirmed with someone, plans already set. Also used for a strong personal decision — something you're determined to do, no matter what anyone else says. |
I am meeting Laura tonight at 8. (already agreed with her)
We are flying to Rome next Friday. (tickets bought)
❌ I'm thinking about traveling to Rome someday. → ✅ We are flying to Rome next Friday. (a real arrangement, not just an idea)
I'm quitting this job next month, no matter what they offer me. (a strong personal decision)
|
| Annoying or habitual behavior About how someone BEHAVES repeatedly — not a routine or scheduled event. It's a pattern in someone's behavior, usually one that surprises or annoys the speaker. You MUST use "always" right after the verb BE. |
You are always interrupting me.
He is always giving people hope.
He's always leaving his shoes in the hallway.
|
| Negative sentences — strong refusal or unwillingness This isn't simply the negative of "happening right now." It expresses that someone is unwilling to do something, or is flatly refusing to do it — the refusal itself is the point, not just the timing. |
I'm not leaving without my money.
Forget it! That's not happening, buddy.
No, man, you're not driving drunk. I'm calling a taxi.
|
Temporary situation as emergency contingency:
Sometimes the Present Continuous describes an unusual action you're doing temporarily to deal with a problem, until you can go back to your normal routine (e.g., "We are having class without a camera until I repair my PC" — normal state: class with camera; emergency: camera broken; contingency: class without a camera, only until it's fixed).
Present Continuous vs. BE GOING TO:
We use the Present Continuous for future plans that are already arranged — a specific time, place or person is fixed (e.g., "I'm meeting Laura tonight at 8" — you already agreed this with her). We use BE GOING TO for intentions or decisions you've made but that aren't necessarily arranged with anyone yet (e.g., "I'm going to call her" — you've decided, but nothing is set up).
Stative verbs:
Some verbs are NOT normally used in the continuous: know, understand, like, love, hate, want, need, have (possession), believe, see, hear. We say "I know" — NOT "I am knowing".
Spelling rules for -ing
| Rule | When | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Add -ing | Most verbs | work → working, play → playing |
| Drop -e, add -ing | Ends in silent -e | make → making, come → coming |
| Double consonant + -ing | Short vowel + single consonant (CVC) | run → running, sit → sitting, swim → swimming |
| -ie → -ying | Ends in -ie | lie → lying, die → dying |
Signal words
These time expressions often go with the Present Continuous:
now
right now
as we speak
at the moment
at present
currently
today
this week / month / year
tonight
Look! / Listen!
Exercises
Exercise 1 — Fill in the blank
Use the Present Continuous form of the verb in brackets.
1.
Look! It (rain) outside.
2.
My cousin (stay) with us until she finds her own apartment.
3.
Prices (get) higher every year.
4.
I (meet) Ana tonight at 7.
5.
My brother (always / lose) his keys!
6.
Forget it! I (not / pay) for your mistake.
Exercise 2 — Choose the correct option
Present Simple or Present Continuous?
1. Listen! Someone _____ at the door.
2. She _____ coffee every morning.
3. He _____ in Paris for a few months while his flat is being renovated.
4. I _____ what you mean.
5. My sister _____ my clothes without asking! It's so annoying.
6. No way! I _____ that job. It's too dangerous.