present continuous

The present continuous says that something is happening at the moment you speak. It has two parts: am, is or are, and the verb with -ing.

In speech and messages, use the short forms: I'm, you're, he's, she's, it's, we're, they're. In formal writing, use the full forms.

Negatives and questions

Not goes after am, is or are. In a question, am, is or are goes before the subject.

Short answers have no -ing and no short form at the end: Yes, I am. No, she isn't.

Around now

It also says that something is going on in this period, even if it isn't happening at this second.

Spelling of -ing

Most verbs just add -ing: work – working. A verb ending in -e loses the e: make – making. A short verb ending in one vowel and one consonant doubles the consonant: sit – sitting, run – running.

Common mistakes

• × I reading. → I'm reading.
• × She is work now. → She is working now.
• × Yes, I'm. → Yes, I am.
• × I'm knowing the answer. → I know the answer.

Verbs like know, want, like and understand stay in the present simple, even about now.