Complete Grammar Syllabus (145 Units)

Grammar Mastery

Comprehensive reference, real-world IELTS band-boosting tips, clear structural formulas, and interactive short quizzes for intermediate to advanced English learners.

Present Continuous (I am doing)

Used for actions happening now or in progress around the time of speaking, temporary situations, and ongoing changes.

Core Structure & Formula

Positive: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing (I am revising / She is presenting)

Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing (It isn't improving)

Question: Am/Is/Are + Subject + verb-ing? (Are you enjoying the course?)

AAction happening at the time of speaking

We use the present continuous when an action has started and is not finished at the exact moment of speaking.

•Please lower your voice. I'm recording a lecture for my classmates.

•Where's Priya? She's printing her assignment in the library.

•We can leave the lab now. The experiment isn't running any more.

BAction in the middle of happening (period around now)

The action is not necessarily happening at the exact moment of speech, but has started and is incomplete (e.g. reading a report, studying a course, building a bridge).

•I'm reading a fascinating report on renewable energy at the moment. It focuses on solar farms in North Africa.

•Daniel wants to work in Tokyo, so he's taking evening classes in Japanese.

•A construction firm is building a new metro line downtown. They expect to finish it by next spring.

Common time phrases: today, this week, this term, at the moment, currently.

CChanges happening around now

Use the present continuous with verbs of change and development: getting, becoming, changing, improving, increasing, rising, falling, growing.

•The number of international students at the university is rising very fast. (not rises)

•Is public transport getting more reliable in your city? (not Does public transport get more reliable)

•At first I found the module difficult, but I'm starting to understand it now.

IELTS Band 7–9 Exam Impact

In IELTS Writing Task 1 (trends & data overview) and Speaking Part 1/3, use the present continuous to describe current ongoing demographic, environmental, or personal transitions.

Common Candidate Errors

✗ Sea levels rises very fast nowadays.

✓ Sea levels are rising very fast nowadays.

Trends and ongoing changes take the continuous form.

✗ I am understanding the new policy now.

✓ I understand the new policy now.

State verbs like "understand", "know", "believe" are rarely used in continuous tenses.

Unit 1 Interactive Short Quiz

Test your understanding with 3 verified practice exercises.

Question 1 of 3

Please lower your voice. I ______ to concentrate on this report.

Question 2 of 3

The cost of university tuition ______ very fast.

Question 3 of 3

Daniel wants to work in Tokyo, so he ______ Japanese.