Actions happening now with be + -ing, spelling of -ing forms, and the contrast with the present simple
I can describe what is happening right now and contrast it with routines.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Sorry, I can't talk — I'm driving to the airport.
Sorry, I can't talk — I'm driving to the airport.
He usually drinks tea, but today he's drinking coffee.
He usually drinks tea, but today he's drinking coffee.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
The present continuous = be + verb-ing for actions happening now or around now:
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| am/is/are + -ing | I'm reading. She's cooking dinner. |
| spelling | make→making, sit→sitting, lie→lying |
| contrast | I work in a bank (always) × I'm working from home today (now) |
State verbs avoid -ing: know, like, want, need — I know (not *I'm knowing).
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice Exercisesbe omitted before -ing
am/is/are is obligatory: she IS cooking
State verbs in continuous
know/like/want stay simple
Sorry, I can't talk — I'm driving to the airport.
Sorry, I can't talk — I'm driving to the airport.
Action in progress at the moment of speaking.
He usually drinks tea, but today he's drinking coffee.
He usually drinks tea, but today he's drinking coffee.
The classic simple × continuous contrast in one sentence.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises