Tenses · Elementary (A2)
Present continuous
Actions happening now or around now, temporary situations, changes and future arrangements: I’m working.
The rules
Form: am / is / are + verb-ing: I’m reading. She isn’t working. Are they coming?
Use: actions now (It’s raining), temporary situations (I’m living with friends this month), changing situations (Prices are going up), and fixed future arrangements (I’m meeting Sara tomorrow).
State verbs are not usually continuous: know, like, love, want, need, believe, understand, belong, seem: I know (not I’m knowing).
Spelling: make → making, swim → swimming, lie → lying.
| Present simple | Present continuous |
|---|---|
| I work in Rome. (permanent) | I’m working in Rome this month. (temporary) |
| She usually drives. | She’s walking today. |
Examples
- Shh! The baby is sleeping.
- We’re looking for a new flat.
- What are you doing this weekend?
- The climate is getting warmer.
Common mistakes
✗ I’m knowing the answer.
✓ I know the answer.
Know is a state verb.
✗ She reading a book.
✓ She is reading a book.
The continuous needs be.
✗ Look! It rains.
✓ Look! It’s raining.
Happening now → continuous.
Practice
Listen! Someone ___ at the door.
Quiz
1.What ___ you doing right now?
2.I usually drive, but today I ___.
3.Complete the sentence.
4.“Believe” is normally used in the continuous.