Everything you need to understand, use and master the present continuous in English, formation, every use, common mistakes, exercises and exam practice, explained clearly by a CELTA-qualified teacher.
📖 Reading time: ~15 minutes✅ Reviewed by a CELTA-qualified teacher🎯 Covers A1 to B1
The present continuous (also called the present progressive) describes actions that are in progress right now, or situations that are temporary rather than permanent. It answers the question "What's happening?" rather than "What happens generally?"
This is one of the very first tenses learners meet, and one of the most useful, it lets you describe exactly what's going on around you at this moment, talk about something temporary in your life, or point out that a situation is currently changing.
💡
How to use this guide
If you already know the present simple, focus on Section 7 (Present Continuous vs Present Simple), that comparison is where almost all real difficulty with this tense lies. For a full side-by-side comparison, see our dedicated Present Simple vs Continuous guide.
2. Quick Summary
⚡ Present Continuous at a Glance
DefinitionAn action in progress right now, or a temporary situation.
Common MistakeUsing it with stative verbs ("I'm knowing the answer")
Memory TipIf you can say "right now" or "these days" and it still makes sense, use the present continuous.
🇪🇸
Resumen en español
El present continuous ("am/is/are + verbo-ing") describe una acción en progreso ahora mismo, muy similar al gerundio español ("estoy trabajando"). También se usa para situaciones temporales ("I'm living with my parents this month") y para planes futuros ya organizados con hora y lugar fijos ("I'm meeting her at 6pm").
3. The Grammar Rule
The present continuous is formed with am/is/are plus the -ing form of the main verb.
Subject
Form
Example
I
am + verb-ing
I am working. (I'm working.)
He / She / It
is + verb-ing
She is sleeping. (She's sleeping.)
You / We / They
are + verb-ing
They are waiting. (They're waiting.)
4. Sentence Structure
Form
Structure
Example
Positive
Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
I am reading a book.
Negative
Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing
I'm not reading a book.
Question
Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing?
Are you reading a book?
Short Answer
Yes/No, subject + am/is/are(n't)
Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
⚠️
Common structural error
Learners often forget "am/is/are" entirely: "I working right now" is incorrect. The auxiliary is never optional: "I am working right now."
5. Every Use of the Present Continuous
1 An Action Happening Right Now
Something in progress at this exact moment, often with "now" or "at the moment."
I'm writing an email right now.
She's talking on the phone at the moment.
Look! It's raining.
2 A Temporary Situation
Something true currently, but not permanently, often with "this week," "at the moment," "these days."
I'm staying with my sister this month.
We're renting a flat while our house is being renovated.
3 A Changing or Developing Situation
A trend or situation that's currently in the process of changing.
The weather is getting colder.
Her English is improving quickly.
More people are working from home these days.
4 A Fixed Future Arrangement
A plan already arranged, usually with a specific time and place. See our dedicated guide to Present Continuous for Future for the complete rule.
I'm meeting her at 6pm tomorrow.
We're flying to Madrid next Friday.
5 A Repeated, Often Annoying Action (with "always")
Combined with "always," this expresses irritation about a frequently repeated habit.
He's always losing his keys.
They're always arguing about money.
6. Signal Words
Common signal words and phrases: now, right now, at the moment, currently, at present, these days, look!, listen!, always (for irritation).
7. Present Continuous vs Present Simple
This is the single most important comparison for this tense. The present simple describes habits and permanent facts; the present continuous describes what's happening now or temporarily.
Present Continuous
Present Simple
Happening now or temporarily
Habit, routine, or permanent fact
I'm working from home today.
I work in an office.
She's studying English this year.
She studies at a British university.
🎯
Quick test
Ask yourself: is this true always, or just right now/this period? Always → present simple. Right now or temporarily → present continuous. For the complete rule, including stative verb exceptions, see our full Present Simple vs Continuous guide.
8. Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect
✅ Correct
Why
I am knowing the answer.
I know the answer.
"Know" is a stative verb, never used in continuous forms.
I working right now.
I am working right now.
The auxiliary "am/is/are" can never be dropped.
She is work today.
She is working today.
The main verb needs the -ing ending, not the base form.
I am go to the party tonight.
I am going to the party tonight.
The main verb after am/is/are always takes -ing, never "to + base verb."
9. Stative Verbs, Why They're Not Used Here
Stative verbs describe states, not actions, and are not normally used in any continuous form, including the present continuous. Common stative verbs: know, believe, understand, want, like, love, hate, own, belong, need.
Instead of "I am wanting a coffee," say "I want a coffee."
10. Spelling Rules for -ing
Rule
Example
Most verbs: add -ing
work → working, read → reading
Ends in silent -e: drop the -e
make → making, write → writing
One syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant: double final consonant
run → running, sit → sitting
Ends in -ie: change to -y
lie → lying, die → dying
11. Exercises
A. Gap Fill, Complete with the correct present continuous form (20 questions)
1. I ___ (write) an email right now.
2. ___ you ___ (listen) to me?
3. They ___ (not/work) today, it's a holiday.
4. She ___ (stay) with her parents this month.
5. Look! It ___ (rain) again.
6. He ___ (drive) too fast, be careful.
7. ___ she ___ (work) from home this week?
8. I ___ (not/pay) attention, sorry, can you repeat that?
9. The children ___ (play) in the garden right now.
10. We ___ (have) dinner, can I call you back?
11. ___ they ___ (wait) for a long time?
12. He ___ (always/complain) about something.
13. I ___ (think) about changing my job at the moment.
14. She ___ (not/feel) well today.
15. What ___ you ___ (do) this weekend? (fixed plan)
16. The sun ___ (shine) beautifully today.
17. I ___ (not/expect) any visitors today.
18. ___ he ___ (still/talk) on the phone?
19. Prices ___ (rise) quickly this year.
20. We ___ (meet) the client at 3pm tomorrow.
Show Answers (A)
1. am writing 2. Are...listening 3. aren't working 4. is staying 5. is raining 6. is driving 7. Is...working 8. am not paying 9. are playing 10. are having 11. Are...waiting 12. is always complaining 13. am thinking 14. isn't feeling 15. are...doing 16. is shining 17. am not expecting 18. Is...still talking 19. are rising 20. are meeting
B. Multiple Choice (10 questions)
1. I ___ TV right now. (a) watch (b) am watching
2. They ___ this week. (a) are travelling (b) travel
3. ___ you sleeping? (a) Do (b) Are
4. She ___ the piano beautifully at the moment. (a) is playing (b) plays
5. We ___ dinner, can you call later? (a) have (b) are having
6. He ___ always losing things. (a) is (b) does
7. I ___ know the answer. (a) am not (b) don't
8. ___ it raining now? (a) Is (b) Does
9. They ___ arguing right now. (a) are (b) is
10. She ___ a red dress today. (a) wears (b) is wearing
Show Answers (B)
1.b 2.a 3.b 4.a 5.b 6.a 7.b 8.a 9.a 10.b
C. Error Correction (10 questions)
1. I am knowing him for years.
2. She working right now.
3. They is watching a film.
4. He is wanting to leave early.
5. We is having a great time.
6. I am believe the story.
7. Does you are working today?
8. She are reading a book.
9. I am go to the shop now.
10. He is loving this song.
Show Answers (C)
1. I have known him for years. 2. She is working right now. 3. They are watching a film. 4. He wants to leave early. 5. We are having a great time. 6. I believe the story. 7. Are you working today? 8. She is reading a book. 9. I am going to the shop now. 10. He loves this song.
D. Freer Practice, Write Your Own Sentences (2 tasks)
1. Describe three things happening around you right now, using the present continuous.
2. Write a sentence about a temporary situation in your life at the moment.
Show Answers (D)
Model answers will vary. Examples: 1. "The sun is shining. My neighbour is mowing his lawn. I'm sitting at my desk." 2. "I'm working from a different office while ours is being renovated."
12. Mini Quiz
13. Exam Focus, Cambridge, IELTS, SELT
Exam
How This Is Tested
Sample Question
Cambridge A2 Key / B1 Preliminary
Describing a picture or ongoing action is a core Speaking and Listening task type.
Describing a photo: "The woman is holding an umbrella."
IELTS Speaking
Describing current activities and temporary situations comes up naturally throughout the interview.
"What are you studying at the moment?"
Trinity GESE/ISE (SELT)
Describing what you're currently doing and any temporary circumstances is a common, natural conversation topic.
"What are you doing these days?" "Are you working at the moment?"
14. Frequently Asked Questions
It describes an action happening right now, a temporary situation, or a trend that's currently changing, for example, "I'm reading a great book at the moment."
Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing. Example: "She is working."
Present continuous describes something happening now or temporarily; present simple describes habits, routines and permanent facts. See our full Present Simple vs Continuous guide for the complete comparison.
No, verbs like know, believe, want and like describe states, not actions, and are not normally used in continuous forms.
Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing. Example: "I'm not listening."
Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing? Example: "Are you listening?"
Yes, for fixed arrangements with a set time and place: "I'm meeting her at 6pm tomorrow." See our dedicated guide to Present Continuous for Future for the full rule.
It expresses irritation about a frequently repeated habit. Example: "He's always losing his keys."
No, the auxiliary is required in every positive, negative and question form, though it's often contracted: I'm, she's, they're.
Yes, it's used constantly when describing what you're currently doing, temporary situations, and changes happening in your life.
Describe what's happening around you right now, out loud, then book a free consultation for personalised speaking practice.
📅 Ready to Master the Present Continuous, and Every Other Tense?
Reading about grammar takes you part of the way. Real fluency comes from using it, in conversation, with a tutor who corrects you immediately. Book a free level test with Elite Language Solutions and find out exactly where you are.
Keep this lesson free online, then use the Complete English Grammar Companion for revision and extra practice. Enter your email once to unlock the free PDF.