Present continuous – I’m doing, I’m not doing, Are you doing?

Grammar » A1 Grammar lessons and exercises » Present continuous – I’m doing, I’m not doing, Are you doing?

Exercises Explanation Downloads Exercises: 1 2 3

Present continuous – I’m doing, I’m not doing, Are you doing?

Exercise 1

Write positive or negative sentences in present continuous using the verbs in brackets. Use SHORT FORMS when possible.

Exercises: 1 2 3

Present continuous – Form

Grammar chart showing the form of the Present Continuous tense in positive, negative, and question forms, including short answers and spelling rules for -ing words.

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I am writing a book.
She is listening to the radio.
They are doing their homework.

The short forms of am/is/are are: ‘m/’s/’re.

The negative short forms of am not/is not/are not are: ‘m not/isn’t/aren’t.

Note that we can use short forms only in negative short answers, but not in positive short answers.

‘Are you writing a book?’ ‘No, I’m not/I am not .’
‘Are you writing a book?’ ‘Yes, I am .’
‘Are you writing a book?’ ‘Yes, I’m .’

Actions happening now

We use the present continuous for things happening now, at the moment of speaking.

Actions happening around now

We use the present continuous for temporary things that are happening around now (=not at the moment of speaking but these days, or weeks, etc.)

I ‘m reading a very good book at the moment. (=I’m not reading it at the moment I’m speaking, but I’m reading it these days.)

Now, these days, at the moment, etc.

We use the present continuous with time expressions that mean ‘now’ or ‘around now’: now, at the moment, at present, today, these days, this week, etc.

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