Grammar • Level 1 (Beginner)

Lesson 02: Present Continuous Tense

Master Rules, Sentence Formulas, Verb Spelling & Practice Exercises

📌 1. What is the Present Continuous Tense?

The Present Continuous Tense (also called Present Progressive) is used to express actions happening right now at the moment of speaking, temporary situations, changing trends, or fixed future plans.

⚡ Actions Happening Now: She is reading a book right now.
⏳ Temporary Situations: He is staying in London this week.
📈 Changing Trends: English skills are improving worldwide.
📅 Fixed Future Plans: We are meeting the teacher tomorrow at 10 AM.

📊 2. Sentence Structures & Formulas

Form	Subject	Auxiliary (To Be)	Verb + -ing	Real-Life Example
Affirmative (+)	I	am ('m)	studying	I am studying English now.
Affirmative (+)	He / She / It	is ('s)	working	She is working on a project.
Affirmative (+)	You / We / They	are ('re)	playing	They are playing football.
Negative (-)	I	am not ('m not)	learning	I am not learning French.
Negative (-)	He / She / It	is not (isn't)	sleeping	He isn't sleeping right now.
Negative (-)	You / We / They	are not (aren't)	coming	We aren't coming tonight.
Question (?)	Am / Is / Are	Subject	Verb + -ing...?	Is she speaking English?

✍️ 3. Spelling Rules for Verb + -ing

Verb Ending Condition	Spelling Rule	Examples
Most Verbs	Add -ing directly	work ➔ working \| talk ➔ talking
Ends in Silent -e	Drop -e, add -ing	write ➔ writing \| make ➔ making
1-Syllable CVC (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant)	Double final consonant + -ing	run ➔ running \| swim ➔ swimming
Ends in -ie	Change -ie to -y + -ing	tie ➔ tying \| lie ➔ lying

⚠️ STATIVE VERBS WARNING:

Verbs describing states, feelings, or mental activities (e.g., like, love, want, know, understand, believe, remember) are NOT usually used in continuous forms.
Correct: I know the answer. ✅ | Incorrect: I am knowing the answer. ❌

📝 4. Practice Exercises

Exercise A: Complete the sentences with am / is / are + Verb-ing:

Look! The children _______________ (play) in the garden.
Listen! Sarah _______________ (sing) her favorite song.
We _______________ (not watch) TV right now; we are studying.
_______________ you _______________ (prepare) for your exam today?
David _______________ (run) in the park at the moment.

Exercise B: Spot and correct the mistake:

They is playing basketball in the school yard. ❌
She is writeing an email to her English teacher. ❌
I am wanting a glass of water right now. ❌

💡 Click here to view Answer Key & Explanations

Exercise A Answers:

1. are playing (Plural subject children ➔ are)
2. is singing (Sarah = She ➔ is)
3. are not watching / aren't watching (Negative with We)
4. Are... preparing (Question with You ➔ Are + V-ing)
5. is running (David = He ➔ double 'n' in running)

Exercise B Answers:

1. They are playing basketball...
2. She is writing an email... (Drop silent -e)
3. I want a glass of water... ('Want' is a stative verb)

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Download the complete lesson, grammar rules summary, and all practice exercises with answer keys in PDF format (Mery TalkEnglish Academy).

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