The present continuous tense (also known as the present progressive) is one of the first major hurdles for English language learners. While the simple present describes habits and general truths ("I eat breakfast at 7 AM"), the present continuous captures the now—the actions currently in progress, future plans, and temporary situations.
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Future Plans: Arrangements that have already been decided (e.g., "We're going on holiday tomorrow"). Subject + am/is/are + -ing form of the main verb
Examples:
Exercise 3:
are / What / doing / you / now?
→ _________________________________ Future Plans: Arrangements that have already been decided
The sun is shining, but the wind __________ (blow) quite hard. Why __________ she __________ (cry)? Is she okay? They __________ (build) a new library downtown this year. Right now, I __________ (write) an email to my boss. The kids __________ (make) a lot of noise in the playroom. Answer Key Check your work against the correct answers: