Present Continuous
I'm working, she isn't listening, are you coming? Learn the rules, then practise.
Show rules
When to use the present continuous
- actions happening right now: Look — she is reading.
- temporary actions around now: I'm reading a great book this week.
- changing situations: The climate is getting warmer.
- future arrangements (already planned): I'm meeting John tomorrow.
- with always — an annoying habit: He's always losing his keys!
Form: am / is / are + verb-ing
✅ I am working.
✅ He is working.
✅ You / we / they are working.
Spelling of the -ing form
| Rule | Examples |
|---|---|
| most verbs: add -ing | work → working |
| ends in -e: drop the -e | make → making, write → writing |
| stressed consonant-vowel-consonant: double | run → running, begin → beginning |
| ends in -ie: change to -ying | lie → lying, die → dying |
| ends in -y: keep the -y | study → studying |
Stative verbs — not used in the continuous
Some verbs describe states, not actions, and are normally not used in the continuous:
know, understand, believe, want, need, like, love, hate, prefer, mean, belong, seem
❌ I am knowing the answer. → ✅ I know the answer.
❌ She is wanting to leave. → ✅ She wants to leave.
Common mistakes
| ❌ | ✅ |
|---|---|
| She working now. | She is working now. |
| They is playing outside. | They are playing outside. |
| He is runing fast. | He is running fast. |
| I am makeing dinner. | I am making dinner. |
| I am knowing the answer. | I know the answer. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you use the present continuous?
Use the present continuous for actions happening right now ('She is reading'), temporary actions around now ('I'm reading a great book this week'), changing situations ('The climate is getting warmer'), and fixed future arrangements ('I'm meeting John tomorrow'). With 'always', it describes an annoying habit: 'He's always losing his keys'.
How do you spell the -ing form?
Most verbs just add -ing (work → working). Verbs ending in -e drop the -e (make → making, write → writing). A stressed consonant-vowel-consonant doubles the final consonant (run → running, sit → sitting, begin → beginning). Verbs ending in -ie change to -ying (lie → lying). Verbs ending in -y keep the -y (study → studying).
Which verbs are not used in the continuous?
Stative verbs — verbs that describe states rather than actions — are normally not used in the continuous form. These include know, understand, believe, want, need, like, love, hate, prefer, mean, and belong. Say 'I know the answer', not 'I am knowing the answer'.
Can the present continuous talk about the future?
Yes. The present continuous is commonly used for fixed future arrangements — plans you have already made: 'I'm meeting the dentist at three tomorrow', 'We're flying to Spain next weekend'. The arrangement is decided and usually has a time and place.