English grammar › A1
Present continuous
Level A1 · I'm eating now
What is the present continuous?
The present continuous shows an action that is in progress — happening now or around now, not finished yet.
When you use it
- Right now: I am cooking.
- These days: She is studying for an exam.
Pattern
am / is / are + verb-ing
Examples
- They **are watching** TV. — happening at this moment
- Look! It **is raining**. — look / listen often signal now
Remember: Present simple = usually. Present continuous = now.
Uses am / is / are from the be lesson.
The rule
For something happening now, use am / is / are + verb-ing.
Habit → now: I eat lunch at one. → I'm eating lunch now.
Tip
Spelling: make → making, sit → sitting, run → running.
Important
Some verbs don't usually take -ing: know, like, want, need. Say I know, not I'm knowing.
Common mistakes
- Not:
She cooking now.— But: She is cooking now.
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