A1 · Lesson 6 · 20 min
Present continuous for now
In this lesson
- I can describe an action I can see now.
- I can make present continuous negatives and questions.
Grammar in context
It is break time at the college café. Mia is sitting by the window and her friends are talking near the table. A man is making coffee behind the counter. Mia is not eating; she is reading a message on her phone.
Which words show that these actions are happening now?
Actions happening now
Use am, is or are + a verb ending in -ing for an action happening now: I am reading. She is cooking. They are playing. Choose am with I, is with he, she and it, and are with you, we and they.
- I am waiting for the bus.
- They are playing football in the park.
Making -ing forms
Usually, add -ing: read → reading. Drop a silent final e: make → making, write → writing. Keep both letters in see → seeing. Some short verbs double the last letter: run → running, sit → sitting, swim → swimming.
- He is making lunch.
- They are sitting by the window.
- I am swimming.
Negatives and questions
For a negative, add not after am, is or are: I am not working. You can use isn’t and aren’t: They aren’t listening. For a question, put am, is or are first: Is she working? Answer with Yes, she is or No, she isn’t.
- She isn't wearing her coat.
- Are you listening to the teacher?
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
He is play tennis now.
Use
He is playing tennis now.
After am, is or are, use the verb with -ing.
Avoid
Is your dad cook dinner?
Use
Is your dad cooking dinner?
In a question, put is before the subject, then use the -ing form of the verb.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.