When do I use the present continuous?

Use it for an action happening right now, at the moment of speaking: I am reading, she is cooking. Words like now, at the moment, and look often signal it. Do not use it for a habit or a fact that is always true; those need the present simple instead.

How do I form the present continuous?

Use am, is or are plus the verb with -ing. Use am with I, is with he, she and it, and are with you, we and they: I am working, he is working, they are working. Most verbs simply add -ing, though some change their spelling slightly.

How do I make negatives and questions in the present continuous?

Add not after am, is or are for a negative: She is not sleeping, they are not listening. For a question, put am, is or are first: Is he coming? Are you watching this? The main verb keeps its -ing form in every one of these structures.

Do I always add -ing to the main verb?

Yes, in the present continuous the main verb always ends in -ing. Only am, is or are changes with the subject.

Why is 'He are playing' wrong?

He is one person, so it needs is, not are. The correct sentence is 'He is playing.'

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Present Continuous Exercises – A1 Grammar with Answers

Exercises:

Choose the correct present continuous form to complete each sentence.

Example

(e.g., Look! She ___ now → is running)

✅ Correct	❌ Wrong
He is playing football.	He are playing football.

Question 1 of 6

Look! It ___ outside.

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Want the rules first?Read the explanation: Present Continuous Exercises – A1 Grammar with Answers →

▸Answer key

Practice Questions & Answers

All A1 questions for “Present Continuous Exercises – A1 Grammar with Answers”, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the interactive exercises above, then check your answers here.

Am, Is and Are with Actions Happening Now

1. Look! It ___ outside.
- A. is raining ✓
- B. rains
- C. rain
- D. raining
Answer: is raining
Look shows this is happening now. Use is raining.
2. I ___ my homework now.
- A. am doing ✓
- B. do
- C. does
- D. doing
Answer: am doing
I takes am. Add -ing to the verb.
She ___ TV at the moment.

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Look! It ___ outside.

Keep practising

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Verb To Be: am, is, are

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Practice Questions & Answers

Am, Is and Are with Actions Happening Now

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