Je suis en train de lire un livre.
English: I am reading a book.
- Language
- French
- Level
- A0
- Unit
- Introduction aux temps
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
French uses the present tense or 'être en train de' to describe actions happening now.
When to use it
Use it for actions in progress at the moment of speaking.
Key forms
- subject + être en train de + infinitive
- Je suis en train de lire
- Tu es en train de manger
- Il/elle est en train de travailler
Examples
Elle est en train d'étudier.
English: She is studying right now.
Ils ne sont pas en train de travailler aujourd'hui.
English: They are not working today.
Es-tu en train de m'écouter ?
English: Are you listening to me?
Tips
- Use 'être en train de' for emphasis on an action happening right now.
- Otherwise, the simple present can also express ongoing actions in French.
Word of the Day
Today's hand-picked vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation page for French. Bookmark this section — it refreshes every day.
Get one new word every morning
Subscribe to SmartWords daily picks. Choose the topics you want — we send one short email per day.
Keep exploring
Play SmartWords games
Six word games built around our real vocabulary — free in the browser, no install.
Open the game hub →-
Word Sling
Match the center word under time pressure and keep the combo alive.
Play now → -
Word Gate
Fly through the correct gate before the speed ramps up.
Play now → -
Word Ninja
Slice the goal-language words, avoid the main-language decoy, and chase the announced bonus target.
Play now → -
Word Zip
Trace a single path across the board, hit each letter anchor in order, and fill every open cell.
Play now → -
Word Oddity
Pick the word that doesn't belong from a topic-driven set — every tap reveals all four meanings and images so the round becomes a flash-card too.
Play now → -
Word Memory
Flip and match goal-language words to their main-language meaning before your lives run out.
Play now →