English grammar · level A1. Leggi la regola e gli esempi, guarda le forme (affermativa, negativa, interrogativa), evita gli errori comuni e poi mettiti alla prova con il quiz.
1 The rule
We use the present continuous for actions happening now or around now.
We form it with am / is / are + the verb with -ing.
Subject +
am / is / are + verb-ing2 Forms
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing | I am reading. She is running. |
| Negative | Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing | They aren't sleeping. |
| Question | Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing ? | Are you listening? |
| Spelling of -ing | run → running, make → making, sit → sitting | He is sitting here. |
3 When we use it
Actions happening right now
- I am studying English.
- Look! It is raining.
Temporary situations (around now)
- She is living in Rome this month.
- I am reading a great book these days.
Future arrangements (already planned)
- We are meeting Sara tomorrow.
- I am flying to Madrid on Friday.
4 Common mistakes
✗ I am go home.
✓ I am going home.
After am/is/are use the -ing form.
✗ She playing tennis.
✓ She is playing tennis.
Don't forget am/is/are.
✗ I am liking this song.
✓ I like this song.
State verbs (like, want, know) are not usually continuous.
In italianoIl present continuous descrive cosa sta succedendo ORA: am/is/are + verbo in -ing. I verbi di stato (like, want, know) di solito non si usano in questa forma.
5 Quiz — check your understanding
0 / 7
Multiple choice
1 Choose: “Listen! The baby ___.”
2 Complete: “They ___ TV right now.”
3 Spelling: “sit” → I am ___
4 Which sentence is correct?
True or False
5 The present continuous uses verb + -ing.
6 “She playing tennis” is correct.
7 It can describe an action happening now.
Suggerimento: crea 3 frasi tue con questa regola (una affermativa, una negativa, una interrogativa) e dille ad alta voce. Applicare subito la regola è il modo più veloce per fissarla.