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General English · A1

Present continuous: actions happening now

Describe an action in progress with am, is or are and an -ing verb.

What you will learn

  • Build am/is/are + -ing forms.
  • Spell common -ing forms correctly.
  • Describe current actions in statements, negatives and questions.

Hozir davom etayotgan ish uchun am/is/are + fe’lning -ing shakli ishlatiladi. Masalan, I am writing — men hozir yozyapman. Ikkala qism ham kerak.

Use the present continuous for an action happening now or a temporary activity around now. Choose am, is or are for the subject, then add the -ing form of the action verb. Make a negative by putting not after be. Make a question by moving be before the subject.

Grammar Tables

On small screens, swipe tables sideways.

Forms
SubjectAffirmativeNegativeQuestion
II am cooking. / I’m cooking.I’m not cooking.Am I cooking?
he / she / itShe is cooking. / She’s cooking.She isn’t cooking. / She’s not cooking.Is she cooking?
you / we / theyThey are cooking. / They’re cooking.They aren’t cooking. / They’re not cooking.Are they cooking?
Spelling -ing
RuleBase-ing
Usually add -ingread / play / goreading / playing / going
Drop final silent ewrite / make / dancewriting / making / dancing
Keep double eseeseeing
Short stressed vowel + final consonant: double itsit / run / swimsitting / running / swimming
Do not double w, x or ysnow / fix / playsnowing / fixing / playing
Final ie → ylielying
Short answers
QuestionYesNo
Are you listening?Yes, I am.No, I’m not.
Is he working?Yes, he is.No, he isn’t.
Are they waiting?Yes, they are.No, they aren’t.

Examples

Right now

I’m cleaning my glasses now.

Men hozir ko‘zoynagimni tozalayapman.

Action in progress

The baby is sleeping. Please be quiet.

Chaqaloq uxlayapti. Iltimos, jim bo‘ling.

Temporary situation

We’re staying with my aunt this week.

Bu hafta xolamnikida turibmiz.

Negative and affirmative

He isn’t watching the film. He’s reading.

U film ko‘rmayapti. U kitob o‘qiyapti.

Information question

What are you drawing? A small boat.

Nima chizyapsiz? Kichkina qayiq.

Common Mistakes

Avoid: She reading now.

Use: She is reading now.

The continuous needs be as well as -ing.

Avoid: We are cook dinner.

Use: We are cooking dinner.

After are, the action verb needs -ing.

Avoid: He is runing.

Use: He is running.

Run has a short vowel before the final n: double n.

Avoid: Do you are listening?

Use: Are you listening?

Move are before you; do is not used.

Practice & Feedback

Practise freely. Scores stay on this page only and reset when you leave or reload. Feedback appears after checking each exercise.

1 · What is happening?

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. I ___ making tea now.
2. The boys ___ playing outside.
3. She is ___ a letter.
4. Look! The dog is ___.
5. We are ___ to the teacher.
6. ___ he eating lunch?
7. They ___ sleeping now. (negative / inkor)
8. The cat is ___ on the chair.
9. You are ___ very quickly.
10. It ___ raining outside.

Answer every question to check this exercise.

2 · Write the missing form

Type only the missing word or words. Read the clue carefully.

1. He is ___ dinner. (make)
2. The children are ___. (swim)
3. I am ___ on the sofa. (lie)
4. She is ___ her bicycle. (fix)
5. We ___ waiting for you. (be)
6. ___ I speaking too fast? (be)
7. Are they studying? Yes, they ___.
8. Is she coming? No, she ___. (contraction / qisqartma)
9. They are ___ in the hall. (dance)
10. I ___ watching TV. (negative be; full form / to‘liq inkor)

Answer every question to check this exercise.

3 · Describe the scene

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. Right now: Dad / wash / the car
2. Ask about an action now / Hozirgi ishni so‘rang.
3. Choose the correct negative / To‘g‘ri inkor.
4. Are you working? Give a positive reply / Tasdiq javob.
5. A temporary stay this month / Shu oydagi vaqtinchalik turish.
6. Choose the correct question / To‘g‘ri savol.
7. Choose the correct spelling / To‘g‘ri imlo.
8. Look! The children / jump
9. Choose the correct sentence / To‘g‘ri gap.
10. Are the dogs barking? Give a negative reply / Inkor javob.

Answer every question to check this exercise.

Review

  • Do not forget either part: be + ing.
  • Negative: be + not. Question: be before the subject.
  • Look around and describe two actions happening now.
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