Present continuous · Grade 1

The present continuous is for actions happening now, at the moment of speaking: Look! It is raining. She is reading a book. We make it with am, is or are and the -ing form of the verb.

Key facts

• Form: I am / he is / they are + verb -ing: We are playing.
• Spelling: most verbs add -ing (read → reading). A verb ending in e drops it (write → writing).
• One vowel then one consonant at the end: double it (swim → swimming, sit → sitting, run → running).
• Time words: now, right now, at the moment, Look!, Listen!
• Present simple or continuous? Habits and routines use the present simple (He plays football every day.); now uses the present continuous (He is playing football now.).
• Questions and negatives: Are you listening? She isn't sleeping.

Worked examples

Other years

• Present continuous · Grade 2
• Present continuous · Grade 3