Present continuous

Rules

• Rule 1: am / is / are + verb-ing

  Choose am / is / are for the subject, then add -ing to the verb. You need both parts!

  Pattern: I am · he / she / it is · you / we / they are + verb-ing

  Example: Grandma is knitting a scarf.

  Example: We are waiting for the bus.

• Rule 2: -ing spelling

  Most verbs just add -ing: playing. Silent -e → drop it: dancing. One-syllable verbs ending in one vowel + one consonant → double the last letter: running, swimming, sitting. (Not w, x or y: fix → fixing; not after two vowels: look → looking.)

  Pattern: play → playing · ride → riding · stop → stopping

  Example: The kids are skating on the ice.

  Example: The rabbit is digging a hole.

• Rule 3: Negative

  Put not after am / is / are. The verb still has -ing.

  Pattern: Subject + am not / isn't / aren't + verb-ing

  Example: I'm not sleeping. I'm thinking!

  Example: The dog isn't eating its food.

• Rule 4: Questions

  Put am / is / are first. A question word goes before it: What are you doing? Short answers: Yes, I am. / No, she isn't.

  Pattern: (Question word) + Am / Is / Are + subject + verb-ing …?

  Example: Are you listening to me? — Yes, I am.

  Example: Is the baby sleeping? — No, she isn't.

Common mistakes

• She playing now. → She is playing now.

  Don't forget is.

• I am read a book. → I am reading a book.

  Add -ing.

• He is swiming. → He is swimming.

  Double the m: swimming.