Present Continuous

The present continuous (also called the present progressive) describes actions that are happening right now, at this very moment, or temporary situations that are true around the time of speaking. It is also commonly used for future arrangements. You form it with am / is / are + the verb with -ing.

• • Most verbs: just add -ing (working, playing, going).
• • Verbs ending in silent -e: drop the -e before adding -ing (write → writing, make → making).
• • Short vowel + single consonant: double the consonant (run → running, sit → sitting, swim → swimming).
• • Stative verbs (know, want, like, need, own, believe) are not normally used in the continuous form.

1. 1

   Actions happening right now, at this moment.

   "Shh! The baby is sleeping." / "I can't talk — I'm cooking dinner."

2. 2

   Temporary situations — things that are true now but may not be permanent.

   "I'm staying with my parents this month while my flat is being renovated."

3. 3

   Future arrangements — plans you have already made.

   "We're meeting the clients at 3pm tomorrow." / "I'm flying to Rome next week."

4. 4

   Changing or developing situations.

   "The weather is getting worse." / "Prices are rising again."

5. 5

   Annoying habits — using 'always' to express frustration.

   "You're always losing your keys!" / "He's always interrupting me."

• Form: am / is / are + verb-ing.
• Use for actions happening now, temporary situations, and future arrangements.
• Stative verbs (know, want, like, need, believe, own, prefer) do NOT use the continuous form.
• Signal words: now, right now, at the moment, currently, today, this week, tomorrow (for arrangements).
• Double the final consonant before -ing if the verb ends in consonant-vowel-consonant (run → running).
• Drop the silent -e before -ing: write → writing, love → loving.

Two friends catching up by phone on a Tuesday afternoon.