Master the Present Continuous: Actions Happening Now (A1 English Grammar) — A1 English grammar lesson by Langcom

Master the Present Continuous: Actions Happening Now (A1 English Grammar)

劳尔-马吉尼亚

Langcom 创始人 | 剑桥考试和SIELE考试考官

9 月 21, 2026

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The Present Continuous tense describes actions that are happening at this exact moment or around now. It is very useful for talking about what you are doing, what others are doing, or what is happening in the world right now. To form it, we use the verb to be (am, is, 或 are) plus the main verb with -ing at the end. For example, I am reading a book means you are reading it right now. We often use words like now, at the moment, 或 right now with this tense. It helps English speakers understand that an action is in progress and not finished.

What is the Present Continuous for?

We use the Present Continuous to talk about things happening at the moment of speaking. Imagine you are looking out the window. What do you see?

  • The sun is shining.
  • A bird is singing.

It also describes temporary actions happening around now, even if not at the exact second.

  • I am studying English this month. (Not necessarily right now, but in this period.)
  • They are building a new house in my street. (The construction is ongoing.)

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How do we form the Present Continuous?

The Present Continuous has three parts: the subject, the verb to be, and the main verb with -ing.

Affirmative (Positive) Sentences

使用 Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.

  • I am watching TV.
  • He is playing football.
  • They are eating dinner.

Negative Sentences

添加 not 之后 am/is/are. Use Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing.

  • I am not working.
  • She is not sleeping. (或 She isn’t sleeping.)
  • We are not listening. (或 We aren’t listening.)

Questions

Put am/is/are before the subject. Use Am/Is/Are + Subject + verb-ing?

  • Are you studying?
  • Is he cooking?
  • What are you doing?

Common Time Expressions with Present Continuous

These words often tell you to use the Present Continuous:

  • now
  • right now
  • at the moment
  • today
  • this week / this month / this year
  • Look!
  • Listen!
Present Continuous Forms (A1)
主题 肯定 Question
I I am working. I am not working. Am I working?
He/She/It He is working. He is not working. Is he working?
We/You/They We are working. We are not working. Are we working?

示例

  • I am learning English at Langcom.
  • My brother is playing video games right now.
  • The students are not talking during the exam.
  • Is it raining outside?
  • What are you wearing today?
  • Look! The cat is chasing a mouse!

练习

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西班牙语母语者常犯的错误

Spanish speakers sometimes use the Simple Present tense for actions happening now. In English, this is incorrect.

  • 错误: I study English now.
  • 正确: I am studying English now.

Remember to always include the correct form of the verb to be (am, is, are) before the -ing verb.

  • 错误: She cooking dinner.
  • 正确: She is cooking dinner.

常见问题

现在进行时的主要用途是什么?

The main use of the Present Continuous is to talk about actions happening at the moment of speaking, or temporary actions happening around now. For example, I am drinking coffee.

How do I make a negative sentence in the Present Continuous?

To make a negative sentence, you add not 之后 am, is, 或 are. 例如,, He is not sleepingThey are not working.

Can I use the Present Continuous for future plans?

Yes, at higher levels (B1 and above), you can use the Present Continuous for definite future plans, especially with a future time expression. For example, I am meeting my friend tomorrow. However, for A1, focus on actions happening now.

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关于作者:劳尔·马吉尼亚

劳尔·马吉尼亚是Langcom教育协会的主任,该协会是位于 美国. 凭借在语言教育和国际认证领域十余年的经验,他已帮助来自25个国家的数千名学生、教师和教育机构考取了剑桥英语证书以及IELTS、TOEFL和Michigan英语证书。.

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