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Grammar Lessons

Present Continuous

What's Happening Right Now

For actions in progress, temporary situations, and the things that are changing around us. This lesson practises the present continuous through questions about your life right now and the world today.

Beginner · A2 Lesson ready

Grammar Focus

When to use it and how to form it.

When do we use the Present Continuous?

Right now

An action happening at this exact moment.

"I'm working from home today."

Around now (temporary)

A situation that is true for a limited period — not permanent.

"She's staying with friends while she looks for a flat."

Changing trends

Something that is gradually changing or developing.

"More people are working remotely these days."

Annoying habits

With always to describe a repeated behaviour that is annoying.

"He's always interrupting people — it drives me mad."

Structure

Subject + am / is / are + verb-ing

+ I am / She is / They are + verb-ing — "He is working on something new."
− Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing — "I'm not enjoying this weather."
? Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing? — "Are you still living in the city?"

Vocabulary in Context

Six phrasal verbs that come up naturally in conversations about what is happening now. Each example uses the present continuous.

01

work on

Meaning

To spend time producing or improving something.

Example

"I'm working on a new project at the moment — it's taking up a lot of my time."

Conversation questions

  • What are you currently working on — at work, at home, or personally?
  • Is there a skill or habit you've been working on improving?
02

catch up on

Meaning

To do something you haven't had time for recently — news, sleep, work, messages.

Example

"I'm catching up on a lot of reading this week — I fell behind over the holidays."

Conversation questions

  • What are you trying to catch up on at the moment?
  • Do you find it hard to catch up on sleep during busy periods?
03

hang out

Meaning

To spend relaxed, informal time with someone — without a specific purpose.

Example

"We're hanging out this weekend — just cooking, talking, no plans."

Conversation questions

  • Who are you hanging out with most these days? What do you usually do together?
  • Do you prefer hanging out in big groups or one-on-one?
04

fall apart

Meaning

To break down, collapse, or stop functioning — physically, emotionally, or structurally.

Example

"My old laptop is falling apart — I'm going to have to replace it soon."

Conversation questions

  • Is anything in your life feeling like it's falling apart at the moment? How are you handling it?
  • Have you ever watched a plan or project fall apart? What did you do?
05

branch out

Meaning

To start doing something new or different from what you normally do.

Example

"She's branching out into a completely new field — everyone's surprised, but she seems excited."

Conversation questions

  • Are you branching out into anything new at the moment — a hobby, a skill, a career direction?
  • Do you find it easy to branch out, or do you prefer to deepen what you already know?
06

take over

Meaning

To gain control of something; to begin to dominate a situation or space.

Example

"Technology is taking over so many jobs that used to be done by people."

Conversation questions

  • Do you think technology is taking over too much of daily life? In what ways?
  • Has work or one responsibility ever started taking over your life? What happened?

Conversation Practice

Questions grouped by theme — all using the present continuous. Try to use the phrasal verbs from the cards above in your answers.

Right Now & This Week

  • What are you working on at the moment — at work, at home, or in your personal life?
  • Are you catching up on anything right now — emails, sleep, a TV series?
  • Who are you spending most of your time with these days?

Temporary Changes

  • Is anything in your life changing or shifting at the moment?
  • Are you living differently now than you were a year ago? In what way?
  • Are you working towards something new — a goal, a habit, a skill?

Trends in the World

  • Do you think AI is taking over too much of human work? What jobs are changing the fastest?
  • How are people's social habits changing — are we connecting more, or less?
  • What industries do you think are growing most right now? And which ones are falling apart?