The present continuous describes actions happening now, around now, or temporary situations. It is formed with the present tense of be plus the verb ending in -ing. It can also express planned future arrangements, especially with a time or place mentioned. Understanding when to choose it instead of the present simple helps you sound natural and precise.

Use the present continuous for actions in progress at the moment of speaking: something is happening right now. It also works for actions happening “these days” even if not at this exact second, especially when the activity is temporary or in progress. The key idea is activity that is ongoing, not finished, and connected to the present time frame.

The basic structure is subject + be + verb-ing. Choose am, is, or are based on the subject, and keep the main verb in the -ing form. You can add time expressions like now, right now, today, this week to show the time frame, but they are optional if the context is clear.

In affirmative sentences, place be directly after the subject, then use the -ing form of the main verb. This tense often includes a context marker like now or at the moment, but it can also be used without one when the situation is obvious. Word order is stable and does not change for different verbs because be carries the tense.

Subject	Form	Example
I	am + verb-ing	I am working now.
You	are + verb-ing	You are listening to me.
He	is + verb-ing	He is cooking dinner.
She	is + verb-ing	She is reading.
It	is + verb-ing	It is raining.
We	are + verb-ing	We are studying this week.
They	are + verb-ing	They are playing outside.

To make the present continuous negative, put not after be. This creates am not, is not, or are not, followed by the -ing verb. In everyday English, contractions are common and sound more natural, especially in conversation.

Subject	Form	Example
I	am not + verb-ing	I am not sleeping.
You	are not + verb-ing	You are not paying attention.
He	is not + verb-ing	He is not coming today.
She	is not + verb-ing	She is not working now.
It	is not + verb-ing	It is not working.
We	are not + verb-ing	We are not waiting anymore.
They	are not + verb-ing	They are not studying.

To form yes-no questions, invert be and the subject: Be + subject + verb-ing. For information questions, put a question word first, then be, then the subject and verb-ing. The main verb stays in the -ing form; only be moves to create the question.

Rule	Example
Yes-no: be + subject + verb-ing	Are you coming?
Wh-question: wh-word + be + subject + verb-ing	What are you doing?
Short answers use be, not the main verb	Yes, I am. No, they aren’t.

Most verbs add -ing directly, but some change spelling to keep pronunciation and spelling patterns consistent. Pay attention to final -e, one-syllable verbs with a vowel plus consonant, and verbs ending in -ie. These spelling rules affect writing, not the grammar structure.

Rule	Example
Most verbs: add -ing	work → working
Final -e: drop -e + ing	make → making
-ie: change to -y + ing	lie → lying
Vowel + consonant: double final consonant in many cases	sit → sitting

Use the present continuous to show that a situation is temporary or not part of a long-term routine. This often contrasts with the present simple, which typically describes habits and permanent facts. The continuous highlights that the situation can change and is limited in time.

The present continuous can refer to the future when you talk about a fixed plan or arrangement, often with a specific time, place, or meeting. It usually implies that the plan is organized and likely to happen. This use is common for social plans, appointments, travel, and schedules that involve people.

Rule	Example
Use for planned arrangements with future time	I’m meeting Anna tomorrow.
Often includes time or place details	We’re flying to Berlin on Friday.
Focus is on the plan, not prediction	They’re having lunch at 1.

Some verbs usually describe states, not actions, so they are often not used in the present continuous. These include many verbs of knowledge, possession, and preference. When these verbs are used in the continuous, the meaning often changes to an active or temporary interpretation.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
know	knowledge state	I know the answer.
like	preference state	She likes jazz.
see	perception state	I see what you mean.
own	possession state	They own a car.
think	opinion state	I think it’s true.
be thinking	activity in progress	I’m thinking about it.

Choose the present continuous when you want to express an ongoing action, a temporary situation, or a planned future arrangement. Build it with am, is, or are plus the -ing form, and form questions by moving be before the subject. When you are describing habits, repeated routines, or general truths, you will usually choose the present simple instead.