Present Continuous Tense
Talk about actions happening now, or around this moment.
Something is happening—right now.
Mission brief
Talk about actions in progress
We use the present continuous for actions happening right now, or around this moment.
By the end of this mission, you will know how to build it, question it, negate it, and tell it apart from the simple present.
Big idea
The action is happening now
The action is in progress—it started, and it is not finished yet.
I am studying now.
The action is happening as I speak.
She is reading.
Her reading is currently in progress.
They are playing football.
The game has started and is still happening.
He is doing his homework.
His homework activity is not finished yet.
How it works
Basic formula
They are playing football. · She is reading a book.
Watch out: the present continuous needs both parts: a be-verb and a main verb ending in -ing.
Control panel
Choose am, is, or are
am
I am learning English.
is
She is learning English.
are
We are learning English.
Verb transformation
Adding -ing
See it in action
Action happening now
Aiman is running.
The action is happening now.
Sara is drinking water.
The action is in progress.
The students are studying.
The plural subject takes are.
My mother is cooking.
The singular subject takes is.
Around now
Around this moment
Present continuous does not only mean this exact second. It can also describe something happening around now, over a longer stretch of time.
I am reading a new novel this week.
The activity continues across several days.
She is learning Japanese this month.
The action is temporary and happening around now.
We are working on a school project.
The work is in progress during the present period.
Time clues
Time expressions
Look for these clues, then check whether the action is still in progress.
Negative structures
Add not after am, is, or are
I am not sleeping.
Am not comes before the -ing verb.
He is not playing.
You can also say: He isn't playing.
They are not studying.
You can also say: They aren't studying.
Question structures
Move am, is, or are before the subject
Are you studying?
Yes, I am. · No, I'm not.
Is she sleeping?
Yes, she is. · No, she isn't.
Are they playing?
Yes, they are. · No, they aren't.
Compare it
Simple Present vs Present Continuous
I play football every Saturday.
every Saturday · routine / repeated action
I am playing football now.
right now · happening at this moment
Common mistakes
Error detector
He playing football.
They is studying.
She is read a book.
I am play football.
He is runing.
Real-life English
After-school chat
Aiman What are you doing?
Sara I'm doing my homework.
Aiman Is your brother studying too?
Sara No, he's playing a game.
Test yourself
Quick check
Revision map
Mission summary
Formula
am / is / are + verb-ing
Use it for
actions happening now or around this moment
Be-verb match
I → am · he/she/it → is · you/we/they → are
Time clues
now · right now · at the moment · currently
Exam strategy
Exam booster
Look for time clues such as now and at the moment.
Do not forget am, is, or are—a lone -ing verb is not a full sentence.
Match the subject correctly with its be-verb.
Check spelling when adding -ing, especially silent e and doubled consonants.
Worked example: “The boys ___ football now.” Boys means they, and now signals present continuous: The boys are playing football.
Mission review point
Present Continuous complete
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