The Present Continuous is formed with the correct form of be (am / is / are) plus the main verb with an -ing ending. Both parts are always required.
Most verbs simply add -ing, but there are three important spelling rules to know:
| Rule | Example | -ing form |
|---|---|---|
| Most verbs — add -ing | work, talk, rain, play | working, talking, raining, playing |
| Silent -e — drop the e, add -ing | write, make, come, smile | writing, making, coming, smiling |
| Short CVC verb — double the consonant | run, sit, swim, dig, stop | running, sitting, swimming, digging, stopping |
| Ends in -ie — change to y, add -ing | lie, die, tie | lying, dying, tying |
These time expressions often signal that the Present Continuous is needed:
Certain verbs describe states rather than actions. These verbs are never used in the Continuous form, even when talking about right now. Always use the Present Simple with these verbs.
The Present Continuous is used in several different situations. Select an exercise below to practise each one. Each page includes five exercise sets and a full grammar explanation.
Use the Present Continuous for actions that are happening right now, at this exact moment — they started before now and will finish at some point after now. Example: Listen! The baby is crying. She is talking on the phone at the moment.
Use the Present Continuous to describe situations that are slowly changing or developing over a period of time around now. Example: Prices are rising every month. His English is getting better.
Use the Present Continuous with always, constantly, or forever to describe actions that happen annoyingly or surprisingly often. Example: He is always losing his keys. She is constantly interrupting me.
Use the Present Continuous for habits or routines that are temporary — they are happening during a limited period around now but will not last forever. Example: I am taking the bus this week because my car is in the garage.
Use be going to + base verb to talk about plans decided before the moment of speaking, or to make predictions based on present evidence. Example: I am going to visit my parents this weekend. Look at those clouds — it is going to rain.
Understand when to use be going to and when to use will for future events — the choice depends on whether the decision was made in advance or at the moment of speaking. Example: I am going to cook tonight. vs I'll help you with that.