English grammar: Present continuous

What this grammar point covers

The present continuous is a verb tense used in English to talk about actions happening right now or around the present time.

When to use it

Use the present continuous to describe actions happening at the moment of speaking, temporary actions, or things happening around now.

Key forms

• Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
• Example: I am eating.
• Example: She is reading.
• Example: They are playing.

Examples

Tips

• Always use am, is, or are before the verb with -ing.
• Do not forget the -ing ending on the main verb.
• Use 'is' for he, she, it; 'am' for I; 'are' for you, we, they.

Exceptions and edge cases

• Some verbs are not usually used in the present continuous (like 'know', 'like', 'believe').
• For verbs ending in -e, drop the -e before adding -ing (e.g., make → making).