Present Continuous – Form

We form the present continuous with am/is/are + the -ing form of the verb.

• I am writing a book.
• She is listening to the radio.
• They are doing their homework.

Short Forms

The short forms of am/is/are are: ‘m, ‘s, ‘re.

• I ‘m writing a book.
• She ‘s listening to the radio.
• They ‘re doing their homework.

Negative Forms

The negative short forms are: am not, isn’t, aren’t.

• I ‘m not writing a book.
• She isn’t listening to the radio.
• They aren’t doing their homework.

Spelling: Adding -ing

• Most verbs: Add -ing
  work → working, play → playing
• End in -e: Remove -e, add -ing
  write → writing, make → making
• One syllable, CVC: Double final consonant
  sit → sitting, run → running, swim → swimming
• Two syllables, stress on last, CVC: Double final consonant
  begin → beginning, prefer → preferring

Use: Actions Happening Now

We use the present continuous for actions happening right now, at the moment of speaking.

• “What are you doing?” “I ‘m watching TV.”
• Look! It is raining.

Use: Temporary Actions Around Now

We use the present continuous for temporary situations happening around now, not necessarily at this exact moment.

• I ‘m reading a very good book at the moment.
• She is studying English this week.

Common Time Expressions

The present continuous is often used with time expressions like:

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