See it in action
Level A1Read or listen first. Don’t worry about the rules yet — just notice the verbs in bold.
A quick phone call
Sam: Hi, Mia! What are you doing?
Mia: I’m sitting in a café. I’m waiting for Jo.
Sam: Is it raining there? It’s pouring here.
Mia: No, the sun’s shining. People are walking by the river.
Sam: Lucky you! Oh, and we’re having a party on Saturday. Can you come?
Quick check
What do all the verbs in bold have?
The present continuous is am / is / are + verb-ing: I’m sitting, it’s raining, they’re walking.
Quick check
Is Mia waiting for Jo at this moment?
The present continuous talks about what is happening now, while we speak.
When to use it
Level A1–B11. Actions happening now
Shh! The baby’s sleeping.
Look! It’s snowing.Look!, Listen! and Be quiet! point at something happening now.
2. Temporary situations (around now)
I usually drive, but this week I’m cycling to work.
Words like this week, this month, this year, these days, at the moment show the situation is temporary.
3. Changes and trends
Prices are going up every month.
The days are getting shorter. More and more people are working from home.
4. Fixed plans for the future
We’re meeting Tom on Friday.An arrangement: the time is usually given.
Quick check
“I usually drive, but this week I’m cycling to work.” Is cycling my normal habit?
The present continuous shows a temporary situation. My normal habit is driving (present simple).
Form: am / is / are + -ing
Level A1| I | he / she / it | you / we / they | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive | I am working (I’m) | she is working (she’s) | they are working (they’re) |
| 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. |
My brother is cooking dinner.
Are you listening to me?
What are you doing?Wh- questions: question word + am / is / are + subject + -ing.
Short answers repeat am / is / are — never do. Don’t contract a positive short answer.
Wrong: Are you working? — No, I don’t.Are you working? — No, I’m not.
Wrong: Is it raining? — Yes, it’s.Is it raining? — Yes, it is.
Quick check
Which sentence is correct?
You need both parts: is + working.
Spelling of -ing
Level A1–A2| Rule | Examples |
|---|---|
| Most verbs: add -ing | work → working, play → playing, see → seeing |
| Final -e: drop it | make → making, write → writing |
| -ie becomes -y | lie → lying, die → dying |
| One vowel + one consonant (stressed): double it | run → running, swim → swimming, begin → beginning |
| British -l doubling | travel → travelling (US: traveling) |
Quick check
What is the -ing form of “swim”?
One vowel + one consonant at the end: double the consonant → swimming.
Present simple or continuous?
Level A2–B1Use the present simple for habits and things that are always true; the present continuous for what is happening now or around now.
She cooks dinner every evening.A routine.
She’s cooking dinner right now.In progress.
Wrong: I am going to the gym every day.I go to the gym every day.
Now words: now, right now, at the moment, at this very moment, as we speak, Look!, Listen! · Habit words: every day, usually, often, on Saturdays, twice a week, most evenings, on a regular basis.
Quick check
Look out of the window! It ___.
“Look!” tells us it’s happening now, so use the present continuous.
State verbs
Level B1Some verbs describe states, not actions, so we don’t normally use them in the continuous: know, want, need, understand, believe, remember, prefer, agree, recognise, own, owe, seem, mean, deserve, doubt, belong, contain, depend on.
Wrong: I’m knowing the answer.I know the answer.
Wrong: She is wanting a new phone.She wants a new phone.
A few verbs have a state meaning and an action meaning:
I think it’s a good idea.Opinion: state.
I’m thinking about changing jobs.Considering: action.
They have a big garden.Possession: state.
We’re having dinner — can I call you back?Have dinner: action.
Quick check
“I’m thinking about changing jobs.” What does “thinking” mean here?
When think means “consider”, it’s an action, so the continuous is fine. For an opinion, say “I think it’s a good idea”.
Future arrangements
Level B1For plans that are already arranged (you’ve booked, agreed or bought tickets), use the present continuous with a future time.
I’m seeing the dentist tomorrow.
Are you doing anything tonight?
Quick check
“We’re having a party on Saturday.” When is the party?
With a future time (on Saturday), the present continuous means an arranged plan.
Advanced uses
Level B2–C2Once the basics feel easy, these uses help you sound natural and express feelings.
Show the advanced uses
always + -ing: annoying habits (B2)
He always leaves… (present simple) just describes a habit. am / is / are + always + -ing adds a feeling: the habit happens too often and it annoys the speaker. It’s a complaint. Always goes between am / is / are and the -ing verb.
He’s always leaving his socks on the floor!
My flatmates are always borrowing my charger without asking!
Wrong: She always is interrupting me.She’s always interrupting me!Not always is, is always interrupt or is interrupting always.
Quick check
“He’s always leaving his socks on the floor!” How does the speaker feel?
always + present continuous often shows that a habit annoys the speaker.
Passive: is being done (B2)
Use it for something that is being done to the subject now or around now, when who does it isn’t important. Form: am / is / are + being + past participle.
The bridge is being repaired at the moment.Work in progress now. Compare: Bridges are repaired every year (a routine).
The suspect is being questioned by the police.Add by + the doer when it matters.
The rooms aren’t being cleaned today. Is my order being prepared?Negative: isn’t / aren’t being. Question: Is / Are + subject + being + participle.
Wrong: The house is been painted.The house is being painted.Being (in progress), not been.
Quick check
“The kitchen is being painted.” Is someone painting it now?
is being + participle is an action in progress. For finished work, say “The kitchen has been painted”.
State or action? Verbs with two meanings (C1–C2)
Some verbs are states with one meaning and actions with another. The state takes the present simple; the deliberate action happening now can be continuous.
This soup tastes delicious.A quality: state.
The chef is tasting the sauce right now.A deliberate action.
The suitcase weighs twenty kilos. The tickets cost fifty euros. The milk smells strange.Qualities: simple.
I see what you mean.See = understand: state.
At C2, these are states too: consist of, involve, appear (= seem), and expect, suppose, imagine when they mean “I think”: I expect you’re right. The job involves a lot of travel.
Common mistakes
Level AllWrong: She working now.She is working now.Don’t forget am / is / are.
Wrong: They are play football.They are playing football.
Wrong: He is runing.He is running.
Wrong: My sister aren’t working today.My sister isn’t working today.
Wrong: She is knowing the answer.She knows the answer.State verb: present simple.
Wrong: Is he coming? — Yes, he does.Is he coming? — Yes, he is.
Wrong: Yes, I’m.Yes, I am.Don’t contract positive short answers.
Wrong: He always is complaining.He’s always complaining.
Remember
- Form: am / is / are + verb-ing — I’m working, she isn’t working, are they working?
- Use it for things happening now, temporary situations and changes in progress.
- With a future time it means an arranged plan: We’re meeting Tom on Friday.
- Habits and facts take the present simple: I go to the gym every day.
- State verbs (know, want, need, understand…) aren’t normally used in the continuous.
- Spelling: make → making, run → running, lie → lying.
Practise the present continuous
Pick your level. Gap-fills, spelling, word order, simple vs continuous, “find the mistake” and more — new exercises every time.
- A1BeginnerFirst steps: am / is / are + -ing for things happening now.Start
- A2ElementaryNegatives, questions, short answers and -ing spelling.Start
- B1IntermediateSimple vs. continuous, state verbs and future plans.Start
- B2Upper intermediateTemporary situations, trends and “always” complaints.Start
- C1AdvancedTwo-meaning verbs, the passive and subtle contrasts.Start
- C2ProficientFormal passives and tricky state verbs.Start