present continuous (I am doing)

Ann is in her car. She is on her way to work. She is driving to work. This means: she is driving now, at the time of speaking. The action is not finished.

Am/is/are -ing is the present continuous.

I	am	(= I'm)	driving
he/she/it	is	(= he's etc.)	working
we/you/they	are	(= we're etc)	doing

I am doing = I'm in the middle of doing something; I've started doing it and I haven't finished yet.

Often the action is happening at the time of speaking:

• Please don't make so much noise. I'm calling. (not `I call')
• I'm tired. I'm going to bed now.

BUT the action is not necessary happening at the time of speaking:

• Some freinds of mine are building their own house. They hope it will be finished before next summer.
• I'm reading an interesting book at the moment. I'll lend it to you when I've finished it.

1. We use the present continuous when we talk about things happening in a period around now (e.g., today / this week / this evening etc.):

• Is Tanya working this week?    No, she's on holiday.

2. We use the present continuous when we talk about changes happening around now:

• The pollution of China's rivers is rising very fast.
• Is your English getting better? (not `does your English get better?')

See also:

1. non-continuos verbs

QUIZ:

They Answer 're (are) studying (study) at the moment.

When Answer is the plane arriving? (the plane/arrive)?

We Answer aren't working (not/work)in the office this week.

She Answer 's (is) watching tv.

Tom Answer isn't playing (play) Tennis on Friday. He Answer 's (is) going (go) to Boston.

What Answer are you reading (you/read) at the moment?

I Answer 'm (am) cooking (cook) dinner tonight. Would you like to come?

It Answer isn't working (work). I think it's broken.

When Answer are you meeting (you/meet) Jane?

He Answer is learning (learn) German for his job.