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English grammar

What is happening now

A0 · Starter Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

English has a second present, and A0 needs it for two things only: what is happening at this moment (The baby is sleeping. It is raining.) and two everyday phrases you will say constantly — I am looking for … and I am learning English. It is built from be plus the verb with -ing, and the be is what changes: I am looking, she is looking, they are looking. Everything else in the level stays with the plain present.

Pattern

am / is / are + verb-ing | I am looking for … · I am learning English

Examples

  1. The baby is sleeping.

  2. It is raining.

  3. I am looking for the sugar.

  4. I am learning English.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: I looking for the sugar.

    Right: I am looking for the sugar.

    The -ing form cannot stand without am, is or are.

  • Wrong: I am working every day.

    Right: I work every day.

    For a habit, English uses the plain present. The -ing form is about right now.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    The baby _____ sleeping.

    1. is
    2. are
    3. am
    4. does
    Show answer

    Answer: A The baby is sleeping.

    One baby → is.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    I _____ looking for the sugar.

    1. do
    2. am
    3. are
    4. is
    Show answer

    Answer: B I am looking for the sugar.

    I → am.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    Many people _____ waiting outside.

    1. are
    2. does
    3. am
    4. is
    Show answer

    Answer: A Many people are waiting outside.

    people is plural → are.

  4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I am learning English.
    2. I learning English.
    3. I do learning English.
    4. I am learn English.
    Show answer

    Answer: A I am learning English.

    The -ing form always needs a form of be.

  5. 5Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I do walk to the shop every day now.
    2. I walk to the shop every day.
    3. I walking to the shop every day.
    4. I am walking to the shop every day.
    Show answer

    Answer: B I walk to the shop every day.

    A daily habit takes the plain present, not -ing.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    1. The children playing outside.
    2. The children are playing outside.
    3. The children is playing outside.
    4. The children play outside now at this moment only.
    Show answer

    Answer: B The children are playing outside.

    Right now → the -ing form.

  7. 7Put the words in the right order.

    I am looking for this address

    Show answer

    Answer: I am looking for this address.

    am, the -ing verb, then the rest.

  8. 8Put the words in the right order.

    It is raining

    Show answer

    Answer: It is raining.

    Weather happening now takes it is.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. I looking for my key.
    2. I look for my key every morning.
    3. I am looking for my key.
    4. She is looking for her key.
    Show answer

    Answer: A I looking for my key.

    The -ing form cannot stand alone.

  10. 10Fill in the gap.

    My wife _____ learning English too.

    1. am
    2. is
    3. are
    4. does
    Show answer

    Answer: B My wife is learning English too.

    One woman → is.

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