Present Continuous: Rules, Examples & Practice
Use the present continuous (also called the present progressive) for actions happening now, temporary situations around now, and changing situations. You can also use it for arranged future plans. Form it with am, is, or are + a verb ending in -ing.
By EngFlix team · Updated
I'm watching a film right now.
An action happening at this moment.
She's staying with her sister this week.
A temporary situation around now.
Your English is improving.
A changing situation.
We're meeting Alex tomorrow at six.
A future arrangement.
Quick Form Table
Use am, is, or are followed by a verb ending in -ing. Change be to match the subject; keep the -ing form in statements, negatives, and questions.
| Form | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Positive: I | I + am + verb-ing |
|
| Positive: he / she / it | Subject + is + verb-ing |
|
| Positive: you / we / they | Subject + are + verb-ing |
|
| Negative | Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing |
|
| Yes/no question | Am/is/are + subject + verb-ing? |
|
| Information question | Question word + am/is/are + subject + verb-ing? |
|
| Short answer | Yes, subject + am/is/are. / No, subject + am/is/are + not. |
|
When To Use Present Continuous
These are the most common A1-A2 reasons to choose the present continuous.
Actions happening now
Describe an action in progress at the moment of speaking.
- I'm making coffee right now.
- Look! The dog is running.
Temporary situations around now
The activity may not be happening this second. It is ongoing during a limited period.
- I'm reading a great book this week.
- She's working from home this month.
Changes and developments
Describe something that is becoming different over time.
- The weather is getting warmer.
- The days are getting longer.
Future arrangements
Use the present continuous for a future plan that has been arranged, often with a time, place, or another person. It does not express every kind of future event.
- We're meeting outside the cinema tomorrow at seven.
- I'm seeing the dentist on Friday.
Repeated actions with always: an extra use
Always with the continuous can express the speaker's attitude to a repeated action, often annoyance. For a neutral routine, usually choose present simple.
- You're always losing your keys!
- She's always helping other people.
How To Spell the -ing Form
Learn when to add -ing, drop -e, double a consonant, or change -ie to -y.
Usually add -ing
Keep the base verb and add -ing.
- watch → watching
- play → playing
- study → studying
Drop a final silent -e
Usually remove a final silent -e before adding -ing. Keep -ee, as in seeing. Be becomes being.
- make → making
- write → writing
- see → seeing
- be → being
Double the final consonant when needed
For a one-syllable verb ending in one vowel followed by one consonant, double the final consonant. In longer verbs, do this when the final syllable is stressed. Do not double w, x, or y.
- run → running
- sit → sitting
- begin → beginning
- open → opening
- fix → fixing
Change -ie to -y
Replace final -ie with -y before adding -ing.
- lie → lying
- die → dying
- tie → tying
British and American spelling
Some verbs ending in -l differ by variety. British English commonly doubles the l in travelling; American English commonly uses traveling. Both are correct.
- travel → travelling / traveling
Questions And Negatives
Move am, is, or are before the subject for questions, and add not for negatives. Use be in short answers too.
Move am, is, or are before the subject
Form questions with be. Do not add do or does. Keep the main verb in its -ing form.
- Are you listening?
- What is he cooking?
Add not after be
Put not after am, is, or are. Keep both be and the -ing verb.
- I am not joking.
- She is not working today.
- They are not sleeping.
Use everyday contractions
I am becomes I'm; he/she/it is becomes he's/she's/it's; you/we/they are becomes you're/we're/they're. For negatives, use I'm not, isn't, or aren't. She's not and they're not are also correct.
- I'm learning.
- She isn't coming.
- They're not waiting.
Answer with be
Match the subject and form of be. Do not repeat the -ing verb in a short answer. Positive short answers use the full form: Yes, she is, not Yes, she's.
- Are you coming? Yes, I am.
- Is he working? No, he isn't.
- Are they listening? Yes, they are.
Who is calling or who is she calling?
Both questions are correct, but they ask about different people. In Who is calling?, who is the subject: we ask which person is making the call. In Who is she calling?, she is the subject: we ask which person she is phoning.
- Who is calling? (Who is making the call?)
- Who is she calling? (Who is she phoning?)
Present Simple vs Continuous and State Verbs
Choose the tense from the meaning, not just a time word such as now.
Present simple or present continuous?
Use present simple for routines and general facts. Use present continuous for actions in progress and temporary situations. The time expression helps, but the intended meaning decides the tense.
- I work in an office. (My regular job.)
- I'm working at home today. (Temporary.)
- She reads every night. (A habit.)
- She's reading now. (In progress.)
State verbs usually use present simple
Verbs such as know, like, want, need, believe, and understand usually describe states rather than actions in progress. Use present simple for these meanings, even with now.
- I understand now.
- She needs help.
- I like this song.
Some verbs change meaning
Some verbs can describe either a state or an activity. Think meaning believe is usually simple; think about meaning consider can be continuous. Have meaning possess is usually simple; have lunch describes an activity.
- I think you're right.
- I'm thinking about your question.
- She has a car.
- She's having lunch.
See can mean meet
See can describe what you notice with your eyes, or it can mean meet or visit. For an arranged meeting or appointment, use the continuous: I'm seeing the dentist on Friday.
- I can see the station from here. (It is visible.)
- I'm seeing the dentist on Friday. (I have an appointment.)
Time expressions are clues
Now, right now, at the moment, today, and this week often appear with the continuous. A future time can signal an arrangement. Do not choose the tense from the time word alone.
- I'm studying at the moment.
- We're staying here this week.
- I'm meeting Sam tomorrow.
- I need help right now.
Present Continuous Dialogue Examples
Read these short written dialogues to see present continuous questions and answers in everyday contexts.
Nina: What are you doing?
Noah: I'm making dinner.
Theo: Is Maya sleeping?
Tess: No, she isn't. She's reading.
Ben: Where are you staying this week?
Mia: I'm staying with my brother.
Zoe: What are you reading these days?
Theo: I'm reading a detective novel.
Ivy: How is your English?
Ben: It's getting better.
Leo: Are you free tomorrow evening?
Ivy: No, I'm meeting Jo at six.
Noah: Do you usually walk to work?
Ava: Yes, but I'm taking the bus today.
Ivy: Do you know the answer?
Ben: Not yet. I'm thinking about it.
Common Present Continuous Mistakes
Review the wrong sentence first, then compare it with the corrected version.
She working now.
She is working now.
Include is before the -ing verb.
They is waiting.
They are waiting.
Use are with they.
I am watch TV.
I am watching TV.
Use the -ing form after am.
Do you watching?
Are you watching?
Use are, not do, to form the question.
He doesn't sleeping.
He isn't sleeping.
Use is not (isn't) for a present continuous negative.
Is she coming? Yes, she's.
Is she coming? Yes, she is.
Do not contract is at the end of this positive short answer.
I'm runing.
I'm running.
Double the final n in run before adding -ing.
She's makeing tea.
She's making tea.
Drop the silent final e in make.
He's lieing down.
He's lying down.
Change final -ie to -y before adding -ing.
I'm knowing the answer.
I know the answer.
Know describes a state and normally uses present simple.
Who she is calling?
Who is she calling?
In this direct question, put is before she. Who is she calling? asks about the person receiving the call.
I am not work today.
I am not working today.
A continuous negative needs am not followed by the -ing form.
Mini Practice
Answer 20 quick questions on forms, questions, negatives, spelling, and common uses. Your result stays only on this page.
Choose an answer, then check it.
Review all 20 questions and answers
Complete: I ___ watching a film right now.
- am
- is
- are
Answer: am
Use am with I.
Complete: My friends ___ waiting outside.
- are
- is
- am
Answer: are
Use are with a plural subject.
Choose the complete present continuous sentence.
- She is studying now.
- She studying now.
- She is study now.
Answer: She is studying now.
Include is and the -ing form.
Choose the correct negative.
- He isn't sleeping.
- He doesn't sleeping.
- He not sleeping.
Answer: He isn't sleeping.
Put not after is, often contracted to isn't.
Choose the correct question.
- Are you listening?
- Do you listening?
- You are listen?
Answer: Are you listening?
Move are before you and keep listening.
Complete: What ___ she cooking?
- is
- does
- are
Answer: is
Use is with she in a present continuous question.
Answer: Are you coming? Yes, ___.
- I am
- I'm
- I do
Answer: I am
A positive short answer ends with the full form I am.
Answer: Is he working? No, ___.
- he isn't
- he doesn't
- he not
Answer: he isn't
Use isn't to answer a question formed with is.
Choose the correct -ing form of run.
- running
- runing
- runeing
Answer: running
Double the final consonant in run.
Choose the correct -ing form of make.
- making
- makeing
- makking
Answer: making
Drop the final silent e.
Choose the correct -ing form of lie.
- lying
- lieing
- liing
Answer: lying
Change -ie to -y, then add -ing.
Choose the correct -ing form of study.
- studying
- studing
- studdying
Answer: studying
Keep y and add -ing.
Choose the correct -ing form of open.
- opening
- openning
- opennig
Answer: opening
The last syllable is not stressed, so do not double n.
Complete: Listen! Someone ___ at the door.
- is knocking
- knock
- are knocking
Answer: is knocking
An action happening now uses is knocking with someone.
Choose the sentence describing a temporary situation.
- I'm staying with my aunt this week.
- I live near my aunt.
- My aunt owns a house.
Answer: I'm staying with my aunt this week.
This week describes a limited period for the stay.
Complete: I usually walk, but today I ___ the bus.
- am taking
- takes
- taking
Answer: am taking
Use am taking for today's temporary choice.
Complete: I ___ the answer now.
- know
- am knowing
- knowing
Answer: know
Know is a state verb; now does not automatically require the continuous.
Complete: Please wait. I ___ about your question.
- am thinking
- thinks
- am think
Answer: am thinking
Think about describes the activity of considering something.
Choose the sentence describing an arranged future plan.
- I'm meeting Ana at the station tomorrow at six.
- I meet people every day.
- I'm knowing Ana tomorrow.
Answer: I'm meeting Ana at the station tomorrow at six.
A meeting at an agreed future time can use present continuous.
Ask which person is making the call.
- Who is calling?
- Who she is calling?
- Who does calling?
Answer: Who is calling?
Who is the subject; follow it with is calling.
Learner Questions
Fast answers to common present continuous questions.
What is the present continuous?
The present continuous, or present progressive, uses am/is/are + verb-ing to describe actions in progress, temporary situations, changes, and arranged future plans.
How do I form the present continuous?
Use I am, he/she/it is, or you/we/they are followed by a verb ending in -ing: I'm working; she's reading; they're waiting.
How do I make questions and negatives?
For questions, move am/is/are before the subject: Are you working? For negatives, add not after be: I'm not working. Do not add do or does.
What is the difference between present simple and present continuous?
Present simple describes habits and general facts: I work in a shop. Present continuous describes actions in progress and temporary situations: I'm working late today.
Does the action have to happen at this exact moment?
No. “I'm reading a long novel” can describe an activity around now, even if you are not holding the book at the moment of speaking.
Can I use present continuous for the future?
Yes, for arrangements: We're meeting at six tomorrow. It is not the usual form for a general prediction such as It will rain tomorrow.
Which verbs usually do not take the continuous?
State verbs such as know, like, need, want, and understand usually take present simple. Some verbs change meaning: I think you're right expresses an opinion; I'm thinking about it describes an activity.
When do I double the final consonant before -ing?
For a one-syllable verb ending in one vowel followed by one consonant, double the consonant: run becomes running. In longer verbs, the final syllable must be stressed: begin becomes beginning, but open becomes opening. Do not double w, x, or y.
Is present progressive different from present continuous?
No. They are two names for the same grammatical form.
Can I say Yes, I'm as a short answer?
No. Use Yes, I am. Positive short answers keep the full form of be. Negative answers can use contractions: No, I'm not; No, she isn't.
Grammar references
For further explanations of these forms and uses, see the British Council’s grammar references.