Present continuous: an action is in progress
Picture a snapshot of an ongoing action. You need two parts: be agreeing with the subject and the main verb ending in -ing. Drawing alone does not make the complete verb phrase.
| English example | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| I am drawing a map now. | Use am with I. |
| She is drawing a map now. | Use is with she. |
| They are drawing a map now. | Use are with they; drawing stays the same. |
One worked example
- I am drawing a map now.Use am with I.
- She is drawing a map now.Use is with she.
- They are drawing a map now.Use are with they; drawing stays the same.
Watch out: The continuous can also describe a temporary situation around now or a future arrangement. Some state verbs, such as know, normally avoid the continuous in their ordinary meaning.
Goal, prerequisites and card origin
What you will learn: Choose am, is or are and combine it with an -ing form.
What you need first: I, she and they; forms of be.
An original PEAZIT working card. Independent expert review and effectiveness testing have not yet taken place. · v1
British Council — grammar reference ↗Show connections
Picture a snapshot of an ongoing action. You need two parts: be agreeing with the subject and the main verb ending in -ing. Drawing alone does not make the complete verb phrase.