Grammar
Present continuous: actions happening now and temporary situations
Sign in to saveAre you making dinner right now? Do you cook every night? Both sentences talk about food, but the time is different.
Use the present continuous for actions you do right now or during this week.
Try what you have learned
Listen to a recording, type what you hear, and check your answer.
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I'm working aym-WER-king
In natural speech, the helper word contracts and links smoothly to the next word.
The short answer
Use am, is, or are with an -ing verb for actions in progress now. This form also describes temporary situations happening around this week.
I'm cooking dinner right now.
Why it works: The speaker is cooking at this exact moment.
3 more examples
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On the street
Look, she's running to catch the bus.
The runner is moving down the street right now.
Not this:Look, she
runsto catch the bus. What changes: It sounds like a regular routine instead of a chase happening right now. -
Visiting family
We're staying with my aunt this week.
This visit is for a short time and will end soon.
Not this:We
livewith my aunt this week. What changes: It sounds like a permanent home even though you said this week. -
In the kitchen
He's washing the dishes in the sink.
The soapy water is running right now.
Not this:
He washingthe dishes in the sink. What changes: Missing the helper verb breaks the sentence pattern.
Quick check
You look out the window and see rain falling right now. What do you say?
Answer: It's raining outside.
Show the answer
Answer: It's raining outside.
Use the present continuous for an action happening at this exact moment.
Read the full guide
Try the listening exerciseYou stand in the kitchen holding a wooden spoon. Your phone rings, and a friend asks what you are doing. You need words showing action in progress right now.
Talking about right now
The problem: I use the simple form like I cook dinner when I am holding the pan, because I mix up daily habits with right now.
You pick up a knife to chop onions. If someone calls, you say what is happening in that exact moment. Use continuous forms for current moments, not simple habits.
An action you are doing this second.
I'm making soup on the stove.
Something you do every day or week.
I make soup every Sunday.
-
Not this:
I make dinner right now.Say: I'm making dinner right now.
Use the continuous form when you are in the middle of the task.
Your turn
Your friend calls while you are washing your car in the driveway. What do you say?
Answer: I'm washing my car right now.
Show the answer
Answer: I'm washing my car right now.
The activity is happening during the phone call, so use the continuous form.
Using the helper verb
The problem: I say I working now or She cooking because I forget the little helper word am, is, or are.
Use a helper and an -ing verb. I use am; he, she, and it use is; you, we, and they use are. Add not: She isn't working. In questions, put the helper first: Are you working?
-
Not this:
She working on her laptop.Say: She's working on her laptop.
The verb needs a helper word before -ing.
Your turn
Fill in the missing words to show what Tom is doing right now.
Answer: Tom is writing an email to his teacher.
Show the answer
Answer: is writing
Tom takes the helper verb is, and write drops the silent e before -ing.
State verbs and -ing
The problem: I use -ing with verbs such as know and want, although they normally describe a state.
Some verbs describe a state even when it is true now. Use the present simple with know, understand, and want. I think this answer is right gives an opinion. I'm thinking about the answer means I am considering it.
-
Not this:
I'm wanting a cup of coffee.Say: I want a cup of coffee.
Want normally describes a feeling, so use the present simple here.
Your turn
You do not understand a difficult word in a book right now. What do you say?
Answer: I don't understand this word.
Show the answer
Answer: I don't understand this word.
Understand normally describes a state, so use the present simple here. Some verbs can use the continuous form when their meaning changes.
Temporary situations this week
The problem: I say I live in a hotel this week instead of I am staying in a hotel and people think it is my permanent home.
Use the present continuous for a temporary situation: I'm staying with friends this week. It can also describe a planned arrangement: I'm meeting my tutor tonight. The second use is future, not an action happening now.
A situation that will finish soon.
I'm living with friends this month.
Where you live for many years.
I live in Madrid.
- Elena
Where are you working this month?
- David
I'm working at the city branch until Friday.
Your turn
Your apartment is being painted, so you sleep at a hotel for three days. What do you tell a friend?
Answer: I'm staying at a hotel this week.
Show the answer
Answer: I'm staying at a hotel this week.
Use the present continuous for temporary events that last a short time.
Before you go
Question 1 of 2
Put the words together to make a correct sentence.
Answer: They are waiting for the train.
Show the answer
Answer: They are waiting for the train.
A statement puts the subject before the helper verb and the main -ing verb.
Question 2 of 2 · One new sentence
You are walking quickly to the platform because your train departs in five minutes. What do you tell your friend on the phone?
Answer: I'm heading to the platform right now.
Show the answer
Answer: I'm heading to the platform right now.
Walking right now is an action in progress, so use the continuous form.
Remember this
Use the examples to decide whether a situation is current, temporary, or planned. Then listen for the form in each clip.
Listen first
Listen and write
Listen, type what you hear, then choose Check my answer. Use a hint when you get stuck.
0 of 3 done
Listening 1 of 3
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
I'm making a cup of tea right now.
The contraction I'm combines with the -ing verb making.
Listening 2 of 3
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
She's working from home on her computer today.
She's joins she and is before working.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 3
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
My brother is staying at our flat this week while he visits colleges. He's looking for a small room near the city center today.
Both actions describe temporary events taking place around this week.
Practice complete
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Test yourself
Listen to a new clip and write what you hear. You can replay it, but hints stay off and the transcript opens after you check your answer.
0 of 4 done
Listening 1 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
At the bus stop
0:00
Read the transcript
They aren't waiting for the morning bus.
Aren't is the spoken contraction of are not.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
Talking about school plans
0:00
Read the transcript
Are you studying for your English test tonight?
This question asks about a planned arrangement. Put are before you.
Listening 3 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
Renovating the house
0:00
Read the transcript
We're painting the kitchen walls today, so the house is very messy. We're eating our lunch outside in the garden under the warm sun.
Present continuous shows two actions in progress during this busy day.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
Preparing for a holiday trip
0:00
Read the transcript
I'm packing my large blue suitcase in the bedroom right now. My sister is helping me find my warm winter coat and boots. We're leaving for the airport in less than two hours. Our father is checking the flight tickets on his mobile phone. Everyone is running around the house to get ready on time.
Most forms describe preparation now. We're leaving refers to a planned arrangement.
Practice complete
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Save my progressQuestions about "Present continuous: actions happening now and temporary situations"
How do I form the present continuous?
Put am, is, or are before the -ing form of the main verb. Use am with I, is with he, she, or it, and are with you, we, or they. Contractions such as I'm and they're keep the same meaning.
I'm repairing a bicycle.
The children are drawing a map.
Does the present continuous always mean this exact moment?
No. It can describe a temporary activity around the present time, even during a break from that activity. Use the present simple for a usual routine or a situation you present as generally true. A phrase such as this month can help show the temporary period.
I work at a school.
I'm working at a summer camp this month.
How do I make present continuous questions and negatives?
For a question, put am, is, or are before the subject. For a negative, put not after am, is, or are. Keep the main verb in its -ing form. You do not need do or does to build these present continuous forms.
Is Sam carrying the boxes?
Sam isn't carrying the boxes.
Can I use every verb in the present continuous?
Verbs that describe states, such as knowing or owning something, normally use the present simple. Some verbs also have an action meaning that allows the continuous. With have, possession is a state, while having a meal is an activity.
I have a spare bicycle.
I'm having breakfast on the balcony.
Can the present continuous describe a future plan?
Yes. Use it for a future arrangement that has already been organized, such as an agreed meeting or a booked trip. Add a future time phrase when the time is not clear from the conversation. This helps the listener distinguish the arrangement from an action happening now.
We're meeting our tutor on Thursday.
I'm taking the early ferry tomorrow.