Present Continuous
Lesson 1 of 7 · ~5 minutes

Lesson 1 · Present Continuous

Three parts

Three parts

The present continuous shows an action in progress. Its form is built from parts: first am / is / are, then the main verb with -ing.

Person + be + action

  • II am working — after I, always am
  • he / she / itShe is reading — one person or thing takes is
  • you / we / theyThey are playing — you and plurals take are

Who

I
he / she / it
you / we / they

Full form

I am working
she is working
they are working

Contraction

I’m working
she’s working
they’re working
Who
Full form
Contraction
I
I am working
I’m working
he / she / it
she is working
she’s working
you / we / they
they are working
they’re working

I am reading now.

They are playing outside.

Where people usually slip

The verb needs two words here: I am working.

Don't drop be, and don't leave the verb without -ing: not I working and not I am work.

In short

  • Iam + verb-ing
  • he / she / itis + verb-ing
  • you / we / theyare + verb-ing
  • partstwo forms after the person: be and verb-ing
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