◎What you'll master
- Use the present continuous for actions in progress now and temporary situations.
- Form it with am / is / are + -ing, spelling the -ing correctly (make → making, run → running).
- Use it for changing trends and fixed future arrangements.
- Know that stative verbs (know, want, believe, have) reject the continuous.
- Choose correctly between present simple (permanent) and continuous (temporary).
The core idea
The present continuous (am / is / are + -ing) is for actions that are in progress or temporary — happening now, around now, or arranged for the near future. The key contrast with the simple present is permanent vs temporary.
The form & spelling
Take am / is / are + the -ing form. Spelling: drop a silent -e (make → making); double a final consonant after a short stressed vowel (run → running, begin → beginning); -ie → -ying (lie → lying).
Four jobs it does
Beyond 'happening now', the continuous also covers: a temporary situation (I'm staying with friends this week), a changing trend(the climate is warming), a fixed future arrangement(we're leaving on Friday), and — with always — an annoying habit.
Stative verbs — the big trap
Verbs of state (know, believe, want, need, like, own, seem, understand) normally reject the continuous, even about now. Some verbs switch meaning: I'm thinking (mental activity) vs I think so (opinion); I'm seeing her (meeting) vs I see (understand).
Quiet, please — the baby ______ .
She ______ the truth — I can tell from her face.
He's a good driver, but today he ______ badly.
I ______ you owe me an apology.
Look — it ______ ! Grab an umbrella.
This soup ______ delicious.
The train ______ at 6:15 — that's the timetable.
More and more people ______ remotely nowadays.
✎Fix the Error
Each sentence has one mistake in the underlined word. Type the correction and check.
1.I am knowing the answer.
2.She work from home today.
3.They is playing outside.
4.He is having a new car.
5.Look — it rain !