Everything you need to use the present continuous correctly: the formula, when to use it, signal words, common mistakes and exercises with answers.
Actions happening now, or temporary situations. Affirmative: S + am/is/are + V-ing; Negative: S + am/is/are + not + V-ing; Interrogative: Am/Is/Are + S + V-ing? Signal words: now, right now, at the moment, currently, today, Look! / Listen!.
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | S + am/is/are + V-ing I + am | He/She/It + is | You/We/They + are | I am studying English now. Spelling with -ing: drop a final -e (make → making), double a final consonant (run → running) |
| Negative | S + am/is/are + not + V-ing | She is not (isn't) working today. Contractions: is not = isn't, are not = aren't |
| Interrogative | Am/Is/Are + S + V-ing? | Are you listening to me? Short answers: Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. |
Describes an action in progress at the moment of speaking.
Describes an action or situation that is temporary rather than permanent.
Used with 'always' to show irritation at something that keeps happening.
| Word | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| now | I am eating now. | |
| right now | She is sleeping right now. | |
| at the moment | He is studying at the moment. | |
| currently | We are currently working on the project. | |
| today | I am working from home today. | |
| Look! / Listen! | Look! The bird is flying! | Used to draw attention to what is happening right now |
Fill in the blank, then open the answer to check it.
Options: are playing · play · played · plays
are playing. "Look!" signals that the action is happening right now, so the present continuous is used.
Options: is study · is studyed · is studying
is studying. "Right now" tells you the action is in progress, so the present continuous: she + is + studying.
Options: am asking · had asked · was asking · will have asked
am asking. "right now" shows that this is happening at the moment of speaking, so this sentence uses the Present Continuous tense. The formula is am/is/are + V-ing. The subject "I" goes with "am" so the answer is "am asking".
Options: are saving · is saving · saves · saving
is saving. "at the moment" shows that this is happening at the moment of speaking, so this sentence uses the Present Continuous tense. The formula is am/is/are + V-ing. The subject "Tom" goes with "is" so the answer is "is saving".
Options: am writing · has written · have written · was writing
am writing. "at present" shows that this is happening at the moment of speaking, so this sentence uses the Present Continuous tense. The formula is am/is/are + V-ing. The subject "I" goes with "am" so the answer is "am writing".
Options: are closing · have been closing · is closing · was closing
is closing. "right now" shows that this is happening at the moment of speaking, so this sentence uses the Present Continuous tense. The formula is am/is/are + V-ing. The subject "The teacher" goes with "is" so the answer is "is closing".
Options: are dancing · had danced · was dancing · will dance
are dancing. "at the moment" shows that this is happening at the moment of speaking, so this sentence uses the Present Continuous tense. The formula is am/is/are + V-ing. The subject "The neighbors" goes with "are" so the answer is "are dancing".
Options: had barked · had been barking · is barking · will be barking
is barking. "at present" shows that this is happening at the moment of speaking, so this sentence uses the Present Continuous tense. The formula is am/is/are + V-ing. The subject "The dog" goes with "is" so the answer is "is barking".
Options: are building · building · had been building · will be building
are building. "right now" shows that this is happening at the moment of speaking, so this sentence uses the Present Continuous tense. The formula is am/is/are + V-ing. The subject "My friends" goes with "are" so the answer is "are building".
Options: climb · have been climbing · is climbing · will have climbed
is climbing. "at the moment" shows that this is happening at the moment of speaking, so this sentence uses the Present Continuous tense. The formula is am/is/are + V-ing. The subject "Tom" goes with "is" so the answer is "is climbing".
Options: are spending · has been spending · have been spending · is spending
is spending. "at present" shows that this is happening at the moment of speaking, so this sentence uses the Present Continuous tense. The formula is am/is/are + V-ing. The subject "My brother" goes with "is" so the answer is "is spending".
Options: are holding · hold · holds · will have held
are holding. "right now" shows that this is happening at the moment of speaking, so this sentence uses the Present Continuous tense. The formula is am/is/are + V-ing. The subject "The workers" goes with "are" so the answer is "are holding".
Quizzes, spaced repetition (SRS), listening and games · Free · No sign-up
Open the app →