Present continuous

The present continuous (or present progressive) is one of the English verb tenses.

You can learn more English online by visiting our free English grammar lessons, which include other verb tenses and more grammar points.

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Use & examples

We use the present continuous tense to describe:

(1) Happening now (at the moment)

It describes temporary actions that started before and are still happening right now.

(2) Started, but not finished

It can also describe actions or situations that started before and are not yet finished. These are temporary and last for a limited period of time. (It might not be happening at the time of speaking.)

• She's living with her parents.
• I'm reading a great book. (but I'm not reading NOW!)

(3) State verbs

State verbs do not usually have a continuous form, and are used in the present simple. They commonly describe something that is not an action (e.g. emotions, thoughts, relationships, senses). These verbs can be used in the continuous form when they describe an action or a process.

• He 's knowing the best restaurants in London.
• He knows the best restaurants in London.

(4) Future arrangements

This describes future events that are already planned, e.g. the time and place are already decided.

• His parents are flying to Australia on Sunday.

Form

How do you write and pronounce the present continuous?

Form: Key points

• Use the auxiliary verb 'be' (am/is/are) + main verb (-ing).
• Contractions are commonly used with the present continuous tense.

Here are examples of the affirmative (positive) form , negative form and question form using the verb 'live'.

Contractions

It is also possible to contract auxiliary verb 'is + not' (aren't) and 'are + not' (isn't)

• You aren't
• He/She/It isn't

Short answers

• Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
• Yes, you are. / No, you're not.

Pronunciation

We commonly use contractions (e.g. 'I'm meeting friends' or 'He isn't working today') for the present continuous tense, especially when speaking English.

Notes

Spelling exceptions for verbs

Sometimes we need to remove a letter, and other times we need to add another letter. Here are the exceptions:

1) One 'e' at the end of a verb
Remove the final 'e' and add 'ing'.

Examples:
[live] I'm living in Germany.
[save] I am saving money for a new car.

* Verbs ending in 'ee'
These follow the normal rules.

Examples:
[see] He's seeing his friends.

2) Verb ends with consonant + one stressed vowel + one consonant
Double the final consonant and add 'ing'.

Examples:
[stop] I'm stopping the car.
[swim] We're swimming in the sea.

* Verbs ending with an unstressed vowel
These follow the normal rules, and the last consonant is not doubled.

Examples:
[develop] They're developing a new idea at the company.

3) Verb ends in 'l' (British English)
Double the final consonant and add 'ing'.

Examples:
[travel] I'm travelling with friends.

4) Verb ends with 'ie'
Change 'ie' to 'y' and add 'ing'

Examples:
[lie] She's lying to the teacher.

5) Verb ends with 'ic'
Add 'k' before 'ing'.

Examples:
[panic] He's panicking about the exam.