The present continuous at CEFR Level A1. In this lesson, we will look at the the present continuous. The present continuous is used to talk about what is happening now (or around now). For example:
- I am studying English grammar now.
- They are visiting friends at the moment.
- He is playing football right now.
The present continuous can also be used to talk about something you are not doing now.
- I am not sleeping right now.
- They are not working today. They have the day off.
- She isn’t watching the TV, she‘s playing a computer game.
The present continuous is formed by using am/is/are + the verb + ing. Note that we do NOT use ‘to’ He is playing football NOT He is to playing football.
Here is table showing the different forms of the present continuous:
| Positive + | Negative – | |
| I | am working | am not / I’m not working. |
| You | are working | are not / aren’t working. |
| We | are working | are not / aren’t working. |
| He | is working | is not / isn’t working. |
| She | is working | is not / isn’t working. |
| It | is working | is not / isn’t working. |
| They | are working | are not / aren’t working. |
To ask a question about what someone is doing right now, you simply change the order. He is working at home. > Is he working at home? Here’s a table showing the question forms:
| + Positive | ? Questions | |
| I am working | Am I working? | |
| You are working | Are you working? | |
| We are working | Are we working? | |
| He is working | Is he working? | |
| She is working | Is she working? | |
| It is working | Is it working? | |
| They are working | They are working? |
Remember that the present continuous is used to talk about what is happening now or around now, not to talk about habits and routines. For example:
- I live in London but I am working in Paris this week.
- I read a lot of books. Right now, I am reading a book about history.
- I am studying English grammar at the moment. I normally study for one hour every day.
Now test your skills with the present continuous at CEFR Level A1 with a quick test. Click the link in the table below.