Present Continuous

Basic · Verb Tenses

The present continuous is the "happening now" tense. Use it for actions in progress at this very moment, or for temporary situations around now.

It is built with the verb "be" (am/is/are) plus the -ing form. It can also describe fixed future plans, which surprises many learners.

How to build it

am / is / are + verb-ing · (?) am/is/are + subject + verb-ing · (–) am/is/are + not + verb-ing

Actions happening right now, at the moment of speaking.
The action started and has not finished yet.
- She is cooking dinner right now.
- Be quiet — the baby is sleeping.
Temporary situations around the present (not necessarily this second).
True for a limited period, not forever.
- I am staying with friends this week.
- He is studying for his exams these days.
Fixed future arrangements (with a future time word).
Plans you have already set up with a specific time.
- We are meeting them tomorrow at 6.
- I'm flying to Rome on Monday.
Changing or developing situations.
Trends that are getting more or less.
- The climate is getting warmer.
- Prices are rising.
Spelling: drop silent -e (make → making); double the consonant in short stressed words (run → running).
A couple of small spelling rules for the -ing form.
- write → writing
- sit → sitting
- come → coming

Signal words: now, right now, at the moment, currently, today, this week, look!, listen!.
Compare: "I live in London" (permanent, simple) vs. "I am living in London" (temporary, continuous).

✗ I am wanting a coffee. → ✓ I want a coffee. — "Want" is a stative verb — use the present simple, not -ing.
✗ She is go to work now. → ✓ She is going to work now. — After am/is/are, use the -ing form of the verb.