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Intermediate

Present Continuous

Actions happening right now

Form: am/is/are + verb-ing

The present continuous needs the -ing form.

📊 Present continuous forms
Subject Form Example
I am + -ing I am eating
he/she/it is + -ing she is reading
you/we/they are + -ing we are working
💬 Examples
I am studying now.
happening at this exact moment
📝 am + studying
They are playing football.
action in progress right now
📝 are + playing
Use present continuous for temporary situations

It contrasts with permanent facts in simple present.

💬 Examples
I am living in London this year.
temporary — not a permanent situation
📝 temporary — not permanent
She works in a bank. / She is working late tonight.
permanent habit vs temporary action
📝 habit vs. temporary
Stative verbs do not use continuous form

Know believe love hate belong cannot use -ing.

💬 Examples
I know the answer. ✓ / I am knowing the answer. ✗
know is a mental state — no -ing form
📝 know is stative
She loves cats. ✓ / She is loving cats. ✗
love is a feeling — no -ing form
📝 love is stative