Present Continuous —
English Grammar Exercises

Present Continuous: Quick Reference

Affirmative

• I + am + -ing: I am working right now.
• He/she/it + is + -ing: She is reading a book.
• You/we/they + are + -ing: They are playing football.

Negative

• I'm not / isn't / aren't + -ing: She isn't working today.
• Negate the be part, not the verb: He isn't sleeping (not He is not sleeping... well, both work!).

Questions

• Flip the be: She is → Is she working?
• No do/does! Is he coming? (not Does he coming?)
• Short answers: Yes, she is. / No, they aren't.
• Wh-questions: What are you doing? Where is she going?

Spelling rules for -ing

• Most verbs: just add -ing — working, playing, reading
• Silent -e: drop it — make → making, write → writing
• Short vowel + consonant: double it — run → running, sit → sitting
• -ie → -ying: lie → lying, die → dying

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you form the present continuous?

Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing. Use 'am' with I, 'is' with he/she/it, 'are' with you/we/they. Both parts are required: 'She is reading' (not 'She reading').

When do you use the present continuous?

For actions happening right now ('Look! It's raining!'), temporary situations ('I'm staying with friends this month'), and current projects ('She's learning to drive').

What are the spelling rules for -ing?

Most verbs add -ing: working. Drop silent -e: making. Double consonant after short vowel: running, sitting. Change -ie to -y: lying.

Also Practice