Present continuous
Definition
The present continuous describes an action that is in progress right now, or happening around this general period of time — not a routine, habit or general fact. It is formed with am / is / are + the -ing form of the main verb.
subject + am / is / are + verb-ing
Examples
-
She is cooking dinner.
The action is in progress at the moment of speaking.
-
The kids are playing outside.
An activity that started and hasn't finished yet.
-
I am reading a great book at the moment.
At the moment signals a temporary, ongoing situation, not a permanent fact.
Present continuous vs. present simple
She works from home.
A routine or general fact — true on a normal day, not just this moment.
She is working from home right now.
True specifically at this moment, possibly not her usual routine.
Works describes what is generally true. Is working describes what is true right now, or for a temporary period around now. Same verb, different time-frame.
It isn't only about right now
The present continuous also covers temporary situations that stretch beyond this exact second, and fixed future arrangements — it isn't only a rigid happening this instant rule.
-
I'm learning Spanish this year.
Temporary and ongoing, but not literally happening as you read this.
-
We're meeting the clients on Friday.
A fixed future plan, not the present moment at all.
Common mistakes
She working now.
She is working now.
It's easy to drop the auxiliary am/is/are and leave only the -ing form, which isn't a complete verb on its own.
I am knowing the answer.
I know the answer.
Stative verbs — know, want, love, believe, need — describe states, not actions, so they don't normally take the continuous form.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses the present continuous correctly?
The present continuous needs both parts: am/is/are plus the -ing form. She is cooking dinner right now has both, and matches the time expression right now, which signals an action in progress.Which sentence uses the present continuous correctly?
The auxiliary has to agree with the subject: they takes are, not is or am — and it can't be dropped altogether. Only They are watching a movie right now gets both parts right.Which sentence is correct?
Know is a stative verb — it describes a state, not an action in progress — so it doesn't take the continuous form. I know the answer is the only correct option; the rest either misuse the continuous with a stative verb or malform the verb itself.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
Work on present continuous with Lingadoo
It's free. No ads. No credit card.