Understanding the Present Continuous Tense

The Present Continuous tense is used to talk about actions that are happening now, temporary situations, and activities that are in progress around the present time.

What Is the Present Continuous Tense?

The Present Continuous tense describes an action that is happening at the moment of speaking or during a current period of time.

Examples:

I am studying English now.
She is cooking dinner.
They are playing football at the moment.
He is working on a new project this week.

Present Continuous Structure

Sentence Type	Structure	Example
Positive	Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing	She is reading a book.
Negative	Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing	They are not watching TV.
Question	Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing?	Are you learning English?

Using the Present Continuous for Actions Happening Now

We use the Present Continuous for actions happening at the exact moment of speaking.

I am writing an email now.
She is talking on the phone.
They are waiting outside.

Using the Present Continuous for Temporary Situations

We use this tense for situations that are true for a short period of time but may change later.

I am staying with my friend this week.
She is working from home these days.
They are living in London for a few months.

Using the Present Continuous for Future Arrangements

The Present Continuous can describe planned future events, especially when the time and arrangement are clear.

I am meeting my teacher tomorrow.
We are traveling next week.
She is starting a new job on Monday.

How to Form the -ing Verb

Rule	Example
Add -ing	work → working
Remove final -e	make → making
Double final consonant	run → running
Change -ie to -y	lie → lying

Using Am, Is, and Are

Subject	Helping Verb	Example
I	am	I am studying.
He / She / It	is	She is working.
You / We / They	are	They are playing.

Negative Sentences in the Present Continuous

Add not after am, is, or are.

I am not sleeping.
He is not driving.
They are not studying today.

Questions in the Present Continuous

Move am, is, or are to the beginning of the sentence.

Are you working now?
Is she coming with us?
Are they watching a movie?

Present Continuous Time Expressions

Common words used with the Present Continuous include:

now
right now
at the moment
currently
today
this week
these days

Examples:

He is studying right now.
We are working on a new project this week.

Stative Verbs Usually Not Used in Continuous Form

Some verbs describe states, feelings, or thoughts and are usually not used with the Present Continuous.

I know the answer. (Not: I am knowing the answer.)
She likes coffee. (Not: She is liking coffee.)
He understands the lesson. (Not: He is understanding the lesson.)

Common Mistakes With Present Continuous

Incorrect	Correct
She is work now.	She is working now.
They are play football.	They are playing football.
I am study English.	I am studying English.

Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Present Simple	Present Continuous
I work every day.	I am working now.
She reads books often.	She is reading a book now.
They play football on Fridays.	They are playing football at the moment.

Present Continuous Exercises

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb:

She _____ (watch) TV now.
They _____ (study) for the exam.
I _____ (write) an email at the moment.
He _____ (drive) to work today.

Present Continuous Summary

The Present Continuous describes actions happening now or around the present time.
It is formed with am/is/are + verb-ing.
It can describe temporary situations and future arrangements.
Some stative verbs are usually not used in continuous forms.