The present continuous: construction

07.09.2011

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We use the present continuous to talk about things that are happening at the moment.

This timeline might help you visualize this tense:

• I'm (I am) making dinner at the moment. Can I call you back?
• Excuse me, you're (you are) standing on my foot.
• It's (it is) raining here.

Am / is / are + -ing
The present continuous is formed using the present tense of the verb to be (am / is / are) and the -ing form of the verb.

When we talk about what we're doing we usually use a short form of the verb to be, as below:

	Singular	Plural
1st person	I am (I'm)	we are (we're)
2nd person	you are (you're)	you are (you're)
3rd person	he, she, it is (he's, she's, it's)	they are (they're)