Present continuous
Describe what is happening now and around now with am/is/are + -ing.
In this lesson you will
- Form the present continuous
- Spell -ing forms correctly
- Talk about actions now and temporary situations
Learn
Form: am / is / are + verb-ing: I’m working. She’s cooking. They aren’t listening. Are you coming?
Use: actions happening now (Look — it’s snowing!) and temporary situations around now (I’m staying with my aunt this month).
Spelling: most verbs + -ing (read → reading); drop final -e (make → making); double one final consonant after one stressed vowel (run → running, sit → sitting); -ie → -ying (lie → lying).
Words often used: now, right now, at the moment, today, this week, currently, Look!, Listen!
| Example | |
|---|---|
| + | She’s talking on the phone. |
| − | She isn’t talking. |
| ? | Is she talking? — Yes, she is. |
Examples
- I’m waiting for the bus.
- Shh! The baby’s sleeping.
- We’re learning Spanish this year.
- What are you doing?
Vocabulary
at the moment
now
currently
at present, now
“She’s currently living in Oslo.”
wait for
stay until someone or something comes
look for
try to find
“I’m looking for my glasses.”
temporary
for a short time only
Practice
Complete the sentence.
Speaking
Look around you (or at a photo). Describe what six people or things are doing right now.
Writing
Write a message to a friend (40–60 words) saying what you and your family are doing this week.
Lesson quiz
Look! The children ___ in the garden.
Review
Key points
- am/is/are + -ing.
- Actions now and temporary situations.
- Spelling: making, running, lying.
What you learned
- ✓ I can form the present continuous.
- ✓ I can spell -ing forms.
- ✓ I can describe what’s happening now.
Grammar reference: Present continuous