Present continuous (+ stative verbs)

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In short

We use the present continuous (am/is/are + verb-ing) for an action happening now or around now, and for a temporary situation. A small group of “stative” verbs (like, know, want…) are not normally used in this form.

The rule

Make the present continuous with the verb be (am / is / are) + the main verb with -ing:

Subject	be	verb-ing
I	am	working
you / we / they	are	working
he / she / it	is	working

We use it for:

Now, at the moment of speaking: She’s reading a book right now.
Around now (these days, not exactly this second): I’m studying for an exam this week.
Temporary situations: He’s staying with friends until Friday.
Changing situations: It’s getting dark. / Prices are rising.
Future arrangements (a fixed plan, usually with a time word): I’m meeting Sam tomorrow.

Spelling of -ing. Most verbs just add -ing (play -> playing). But:

Rule	Examples
Drop a silent final -e	make -> making, write -> writing, have -> having
Double a final consonant after one stressed short vowel	run -> running, sit -> sitting, begin -> beginning
-ie becomes -y + ing	lie -> lying, die -> dying, tie -> tying

Negatives and questions are made by changing be (not the main verb):

Type	Pattern	Example
Negative	subject + be + not + -ing	She isn’t working today.
Yes/No question	be + subject + -ing?	Are you coming?
Wh- question	wh- + be + subject + -ing?	What is he doing?
Negative question	be + n’t + subject + -ing?	Aren’t you coming?

Stative verbs. Some verbs describe a state, not an action, and are not normally used in the continuous: like, love, hate, want, need, know, understand, believe, mean, prefer, own, belong, seem, contain. Say I want / I know, NOT ~~I am wanting / I am knowing~~.

A few verbs change meaning between simple and continuous:

Verb	Simple (state)	Continuous (action)
have	own / possess: I have a car.	activity: I’m having lunch.
think	opinion: I think it’s nice.	mental process: I’m thinking about it.
see	with eyes: I see a bird.	meeting: I’m seeing the doctor tomorrow.
taste	flavour: The soup tastes salty.	the act: She’s tasting the soup.

Forms & patterns

Form	I	he/she/it	you/we/they
Positive	I’m going	she’s going	they’re going
Negative	I’m not going	she isn’t going	they aren’t going
Question	Am I going?	Is she going?	Are they going?
Negative question	Aren’t I going? (not ~~amn’t I~~)	Isn’t she going?	Aren’t they going?

Short answers: Yes, I am. / No, I’m not. - Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t. - Yes, they are. / No, they aren’t.

Examples

English	Note
The baby is sleeping, so please be quiet.	Action happening right now.
We are learning about volcanoes this term.	Around now, not this exact second.
My sister is living in Rome for a year.	Temporary situation.
Look - it is starting to rain.	A changing situation.
I’m flying to Madrid on Monday.	Future arrangement with a time word.
Are you listening to me?	Yes/No question: move be to the front.
They aren’t watching TV; they’re outside.	Negative: be + not + -ing.
I want a coffee, please.	Stative verb -> present simple, not continuous.

Common mistakes

I am wanting tea. -> I want tea. - want is stative; use the present simple.
She is knowing the answer. -> She knows the answer. - know is stative.
He is runing fast. -> He is running fast. - double the consonant: run -> running.
I am makeing dinner. -> I am making dinner. - drop the silent -e before -ing.
Do you coming tonight? -> Are you coming tonight? - questions use be, not do.

Tips

Ask “Is this happening now or temporarily?” -> continuous. “Is this a habit or always true?” -> present simple: I’m wearing a coat (now) vs I wear a coat in winter (habit).
The main verb never changes its ending: only be moves for questions and negatives.
For -ing spelling, the doubling rule needs one vowel + one consonant and stress on that syllable (so begin -> beginning, but open -> opening).
Words like now, right now, at the moment, today, this week, look!, listen! often signal the present continuous.