Present continuous

• 2 Present continuous

  2.1

  Structure (be + V-ing)

  

  

  The Present Continuous tense describes actions that are happening right now.

  Structure: 主语 + am / is / are + 动词-ing(I → am; he / she / it → is; you / we / they → are)

  我I 正在am 读reading 一本a 书book.

  I am reading a book.

  他们They 正在are 踢playing 足球football.

  They are playing football.

  Spelling of -ing:

  • Generally add -ing directly: read → reading.
  • End in silent -e, drop e and add -ing: make → making, write → writing.
  • Stressed closed syllable (consonant + vowel + consonant), double the final consonant: run → running, sit → sitting.

  她She 正在is 写writing 一封an 电子邮件email.

  She is writing an email.

  Note

  • Don't forget the be verb: ~~I reading~~ ✗ → I am reading ✓.
  • State verbs (like, know, want, have = possess) generally do not use the continuous tense: ~~I am knowing~~ ✗ → I know ✓.

  2.2

  Present Continuous vs. Present Simple

  Both tenses relate to "now," but their meanings differ:

  • Present Simple: Habits or repeated actions.
  • Present Continuous: Actions happening at this very moment.

  他He 通常usually 步行walks 去to 上班work.

  He usually walks to work. (Habit → Present Simple)

  今天Today 他he 正在is 乘坐taking （冠词）the 公交车bus.

  He is taking the bus today. (Right now → Present Continuous)

  Time expressions help distinguish them:

  • Present Simple: every day, usually, often, always.
  • Present Continuous: now, right now, at the moment, today.

  Note

  • Temporary situations use the continuous tense: She is living with her aunt this month. (She is temporarily staying with her aunt this month.)
  • Long-term facts use the Present Simple: She lives in Beijing. (She lives in Beijing.)

  Common Errors

  • ❌ ~~They are play football now.~~ → ✓ They are playing football now. — With be, the verb must also take -ing; both elements are required.
  • ❌ ~~She is cooking every day.~~ → ✓ She cooks every day. — every day signals a habit, so use the Present Simple.
  • ❌ ~~Where is Tom? — He plays football.~~ → ✓ He is playing football. — To answer "what is he doing right now?", use the continuous tense.
  • ❌ ~~He is writeing a letter.~~ → ✓ He is writing a letter. — Verbs ending in a silent -e drop the e before adding -ing.

All topics · English Grammar · A2