Present Continuous
A1 · BeginnerPresent TensesThe present continuous focuses on actions in progress — right now, or around this period of time — rather than general truths or routines.
What you'll learn
- Form: am/is/are + verb-ing (I am working, she is working, they are working)
- Used for actions happening right now, at this exact moment
- Also used for temporary situations happening around now (this week, these days)
- Stative verbs (know, want, love, believe, understand) don't usually take the continuous form
What the present continuous is for
The present continuous describes an action in progress — either happening at this exact moment, or happening around now as a temporary situation, rather than as a permanent habit.
Forming the present continuous
Use am/is/are (matching the subject) plus the main verb with -ing: I am working, you are working, he/she/it is working, we/they are working.
Right now vs. temporary situations
The present continuous covers two related uses: something happening at this exact second ('I'm reading this sentence right now'), and something true only for a limited period around now, even if it's not happening this very second ('She's staying with her parents this week' — true for now, but not permanent).
Stative verbs: usually not continuous
Some verbs describe states rather than actions — knowing, wanting, believing, loving, understanding, owning — and these usually stay in the simple present even when talking about now, rather than taking -ing.
Real English
Watch out
Stative verbs like know, want, believe, and understand don't normally take the continuous form, even for something true right now.
For something happening right now, use the present continuous, not the present simple.
The present continuous always needs am/is/are before the -ing verb — it can't be dropped.
Real life — Checking in with a friend
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"Just watching TV. What's up?"
"Are you free tonight? I'm thinking about grabbing dinner."
"I'm actually working late this week, but tomorrow works."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the correct form
Look! It ___ outside.
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct form
She ___ a book right now.
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence
Which is correct?
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct form
They ___ dinner at the moment.
Exercise 5 · Choose the correct word
___ you working on the report today?
Exercise 6 · Choose the correct form
This month, she ___ extra hours to finish the project.
Exercise 7 · Fix the mistake
Fix the mistake:
Exercise 8 · Complete the sentence
Complete: We ___ (wait) for the bus right now.
Exercise 9 · Complete the sentence
Complete: I ___ (not/watch) TV at the moment — I'm reading.
Exercise 10 · Build the sentence
Exercise 11 · Choose the correct sentence
Which is correct?
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
Listen! Someone ___ at the door.
You learned
- Present continuous: am/is/are + verb-ing.
- Used for actions happening right now, and temporary situations around now.
- Stative verbs (know, want, believe, understand) usually stay in the simple present.
- am/is/are can never be dropped from the continuous form.
Related grammar lessons
Present Simple
Learn how to form and use the present simple tense — for habits, routines, facts, and schedules — including the do/does questions and negatives.
Present Perfect
Learn how to form and use the present perfect (have/has + past participle) — connecting a past action to the present moment, without saying exactly when it happened.
Present Perfect Continuous
Learn how to form and use the present perfect continuous (have/has been + verb-ing) — for actions that started in the past and continue now, or whose recent activity explains a present result.
Past Simple
Learn how to form and use the past simple for completed actions at a specific time in the past — statements, negatives with didn't, and questions with did.