Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the Present Continuous to describe actions happening exactly at this moment or temporary situations in your life.
- Combine the verb 'to be' (am/is/are) with a verb ending in '-ing'. Example: 'I am eating.'
- Add 'not' after 'to be' for negatives. Example: 'She is not (isn't) working.'
- Move 'to be' to the front for questions. Example: 'Are you listening?'
Overview
Present Continuous의 마법이죠. 움직이는 삶을 포착하는 거예요. 문장을 위한 라이브 스트리밍이라고 생각해 보세요.Present Simple이 습관을 찍은 정지된 사진이라면, Present Continuous는 고화질 비디오예요. 바로 이 순간에 무슨 일이 일어나고 있는지 말해 주죠. «지금»의 시제예요.How This Grammar Works
to be 동사고, 다른 부분은 -ing로 끝나는 본동사예요.I eating이라고 하면 배고픈 원시인처럼 들려요. I am eat이라고 하면 고장 난 로봇처럼 들리고요.to be 동사는 엔진 역할을 해요. 누가 행동을 하는지에 따라 모양이 바뀌죠.-ing 부분은 화물이에요. 누구에게나 똑같이 유지되죠. 행동이 진행 중이라는 신호를 보내는 거예요.
Formation Pattern
to be 동사의 올바른 형태를 더하세요 (am, are, is).
-ing를 붙이세요.
ING를 In Next Gear(다음 기어로)라고 생각해보세요. 행동이 앞으로 나아가고 있다는 뜻이에요.
When To Use It
(일주일 동안 파리에 머물고 있어.) 셋째, 변하는 추세예요.The weather is getting warmer.« (날씨가 점점 따뜻해지고 있어.) 아니면, »Electric cars are becoming more popular." (전기차가 점점 인기를 얻고 있어.) 마지막으로, 이미 100% 결정된 미래 계획에 사용해요.
Present Simple을 고수하세요. 이 특정 시간대에만 일어나는 일이라면 Present Continuous를 쓰세요.I work at Google(내 직업)과 "I'm working at Google today"(나 지금 물리적으로 거기 있어)의 차이예요.
Common Mistakes
am, is, 또는 are를 까먹어요. He is working대신
He working이라고 말하는 거죠. 모터 없는 차를 운전하려는 것과 같아요. 또 다른 큰 실수는 «상태 동사의 함정»이에요. 어떤 동사들은 -ing를 싫어해요. 우리는 이걸 상태 동사(stative verbs)라고 불러요. 이것들은 행동이 아니라 감정이나 상태를 묘사하거든요. "I'm liking this pizza«라고는 할 수 없어요. 맥도날드가 »I'm lovin' it«이라고 하더라도, 엄격한 문법에서는 »I like this pizza라고 해요. 다른 예로는be knowing"하는 게 아니라 그냥want,know,need, 그리고believe가 있어요. 무언가를
know하는 거죠. 철자법도 까다로울 수 있어요. 짧은 동사가 자음-모음-자음으로 끝나면, 마지막 글자를 두 번 써요. Run은 running이 되죠. Sit은 sitting이 되고요. e로 끝나면, 빼버리세요! Make는 making이 돼요. 글자가 더 붙는다고 당황하지 마세요. 그냥 멋지게 보이려고 그러는 거니까요.Contrast With Similar Patterns
Present Continuous의 주요 라이벌은 Present Simple이에요. Present Simple을 «항상/보통» 시제라고 생각하세요. 사실, 습관, 그리고 일반적으로 사실인 것들을 위한 거예요. The sun rises in the east.(해는 동쪽에서 뜬다.)
I drink tea every morning.(난 매일 아침 차를 마신다.)
Present Continuous는 «바로 지금/일시적» 시제예요.I live in Madrid.
(여기가 내 영원한 집이야.)I am living in Madrid.
(이건 일시적인 느낌이야, 아마 한 학기 정도만.)
He plays guitar.(그는 기술이 있어; 그는 기타리스트야.)He is playing guitar.
(쉿! 그가 지금 옆방에서 치고 있어!)
Quick FAQ
Present Continuous를 미래에 대해 쓸 수 있나요?
네! 확정된 계획이라면요. "I'm flying to NYC tomorrow."
내가 *정확히* 지금 이 순간에 하고 있는 게 아니라면요?
삶의 «프로젝트»라면 여전히 유효해요. "I'm reading a great book"은 지금 그 책이 침대 협탁 위에 있더라도 말이 돼요.
왜 내 영국 친구는 "I'm having a bath«라고 하는데 미국 친구는 »I'm taking a bath"라고 하죠?
둘 다 맞아요! 둘 다 진행 중인 행동을 묘사하기 위해 Present Continuous를 쓰는 거예요.
"I'm loving this"라고 해도 되나요?
캐주얼한 대화에서는요, 네! 언어는 항상 진화하니까요. 하지만 영어 시험에서는 I love this를 고수하세요.
Conjugating 'To Be' + Verb-ing
| Subject | Be Verb | Verb + -ing | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
am
|
working
|
I am working.
|
|
You
|
are
|
working
|
You are working.
|
|
He/She/It
|
is
|
working
|
She is working.
|
|
We
|
are
|
working
|
We are working.
|
|
They
|
are
|
working
|
They are working.
|
Contractions (Common in Speech)
| Full Form | Contraction | Negative Contraction |
|---|---|---|
|
I am
|
I'm
|
I'm not
|
|
You are
|
You're
|
You aren't / You're not
|
|
He is
|
He's
|
He isn't / He's not
|
|
She is
|
She's
|
She isn't / She's not
|
|
It is
|
It's
|
It isn't / It's not
|
|
We are
|
We're
|
We aren't / We're not
|
|
They are
|
They're
|
They aren't / They're not
|
Meanings
The Present Continuous describes actions that are currently in progress at the time of speaking or temporary actions happening around now.
Actions happening now
Actions occurring at the exact moment of speech.
“Look! It is raining outside.”
“The baby is sleeping in the crib.”
Temporary situations
Actions happening 'around' now, even if not at this exact second.
“I am reading a great book this week.”
“She is staying with her aunt until Friday.”
Future arrangements
Planned events in the near future that are already decided.
“We are meeting for dinner tonight.”
“I am flying to London tomorrow morning.”
Changing situations
Describing trends or things that are evolving.
“The weather is getting warmer.”
“English is becoming easier for me.”
Reference Table
| 주어 | be동사 | 동사 (-ing) | 예시 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
am
|
playing
|
I am playing.
|
|
You
|
are
|
studying
|
You are studying.
|
|
He
|
is
|
eating
|
He is eating.
|
|
She
|
is
|
working
|
She is working.
|
|
It
|
is
|
raining
|
It is raining.
|
|
We
|
are
|
watching
|
We are watching.
|
|
They
|
are
|
talking
|
They are talking.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
Might I ask what you are currently working on? (Work vs Friends)
What are you doing right now? (Work vs Friends)
What'cha doing? (Work vs Friends)
What's up? / What you up to? (Work vs Friends)
현재진행형: 당신의 액션 카메라!
문장 만들기
- 주어 + Helper Verb
- am/is/are + Main Verb
- 동사-ing Ending
주요 용도
- 지금 하는 일 Happening right this second
- 일시적인 일 Around now, not forever
- 미래 계획 Fixed arrangements
이럴 땐 금지
- 습관 Regular actions
- 사실 General truths
- 상태 동사 Feelings, opinions (e.g., know, love)
핵심 단어
- 지금 now
- 이 순간 at the moment
- 오늘 today
현재진행형 vs 단순 현재형
현재진행형을 써야 할까요?
동작이 지금 또는 요즘 일어나고 있나요?
습관, 일과, 또는 일반적인 사실인가요?
상태를 나타내는 동사(know, love 등)인가요?
현재진행형은 언제 쓸까요?
지금 일어나는 일
- • I am typing.
- • You are reading.
- • The phone is ringing.
일시적인 상황
- • She is living in London for a year.
- • He is working on a big project.
- • We are studying a new language.
확정된 미래 계획
- • I am meeting friends tomorrow.
- • They are flying to Paris next week.
- • We are having dinner at 7 PM.
성가신 습관
- • He is always complaining.
- • She is constantly interrupting.
- • They are forever losing things.
수준별 예문
I am eating an apple.
I am eating an apple.
He is playing football.
He is playing football.
They are sleeping.
They are sleeping.
Are you listening?
Are you listening?
I'm not working this week.
I'm not working this week.
She's staying at a hotel.
She's staying at a hotel.
We're meeting at 6 PM.
We're meeting at 6 PM.
Is it raining outside?
Is it raining outside?
The population is growing fast.
The population is growing fast.
I'm currently looking for a job.
I'm currently looking for a job.
Why are you being so difficult?
Why are you being so difficult?
They are constantly complaining.
They are constantly complaining.
I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow.
I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow.
The economy is finally recovering.
The economy is finally recovering.
I'm thinking of moving to Spain.
I'm thinking of moving to Spain.
You're always leaving the lights on!
You're always leaving the lights on!
The company is undergoing a major restructure.
The company is undergoing a major restructure.
I'm finding it increasingly hard to focus.
I'm finding it increasingly hard to focus.
Is he still working for that firm?
Is he still working for that firm?
We are witnessing a shift in consumer behavior.
We are witnessing a shift in consumer behavior.
The narrative is constantly shifting between past and present.
The narrative is constantly shifting between past and present.
I'm loving the way the light hits the mountains.
I'm loving the way the light hits the mountains.
Are you suggesting that I'm lying?
Are you suggesting that I'm lying?
The city is forever reinventing itself.
The city is forever reinventing itself.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners use 'I am doing' for habits or 'I do' for things happening now.
Verbs like 'want', 'need', and 'love' usually don't use '-ing'.
Learners use 'will' for all future things.
자주 하는 실수
I working now.
I am working now.
She is danceing.
She is dancing.
They are play football.
They are playing football.
He is runing.
He is running.
I am knowing him.
I know him.
What you are doing?
What are you doing?
I am go to the cinema tonight.
I am going to the cinema tonight.
The water is boiling at 100 degrees.
The water boils at 100 degrees.
I'm liking this cake.
I like this cake.
I am having a car.
I have a car.
I'm always forget my keys.
I'm always forgetting my keys.
문장 패턴
I am ___ right now.
She is not ___ today.
Are you ___ this weekend?
The world is becoming ___.
Real World Usage
Hey! I'm just sitting on the bus. You?
Living my best life in Bali! 🌴
I am currently leading a project to improve efficiency.
Are you still serving breakfast?
We are boarding the plane now.
I'm calling to ask about your day.
It is raining heavily in the north.
He is running down the field!
환상의 짝꿍을 기억하세요
I am working at the office.
상태 동사는 조심하세요
I know the answer to this.
줄임말을 활용해 보세요
어디서나 들릴 거예요!
What are you doing right now?
Smart Tips
Always use the Present Continuous to describe what people are doing in a picture.
Kick the 'e' out before you let '-ing' in!
Use the continuous form of 'wonder' or 'hope'.
Use 'these days' or 'lately' with the continuous.
발음
The '-ing' ending
The 'g' is usually silent or very soft. It sounds like /ɪŋ/.
Contractions
In natural speech, 'I am' becomes 'I'm' /aɪm/ and 'You are' becomes 'You're' /jɔːr/.
Rising intonation for Yes/No questions
Are you ↗️ coming?
Asking for confirmation
Falling intonation for Wh- questions
What are you ↘️ doing?
Asking for information
암기하기
기억법
Remember 'BE + ING = HAPPENING'. You need both parts to make the action move!
시각적 연상
Imagine a video camera recording a scene. The red 'REC' light is blinking—that's the '-ing' part. The camera itself is the 'be' verb holding everything together.
Rhyme
Am, is, are, and a verb with -ing, tells us now what's happening!
Story
Imagine you are a reporter. You are standing in the middle of a busy street. You look around and say: 'The cars are moving, the people are walking, and I am talking to you!'
Word Web
챌린지
Look around the room right now. Say three things that are happening using 'is' or 'are'. (e.g., 'The clock is ticking.')
문화 노트
Using the Present Continuous for future plans (e.g., 'I'm meeting him later') sounds more natural and certain than using 'will'.
In very casual speech, the 'g' in '-ing' is often dropped and replaced with an apostrophe (e.g., 'runnin', 'talkin').
Often used with 'just' to soften a request or explanation.
The 'be + -ing' construction developed in Middle English, likely evolving from an older construction 'be + on + verbal noun'.
대화 시작하기
What are you doing right now?
What are you working on these days?
Are you doing anything fun this weekend?
Is the weather changing in your country?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
She ___ a book right now.
Find and fix the mistake:
They listening to music.
Choose the correct sentence:
Score: /3
연습 문제
8 exercisesI ___ (watch) a movie at the moment.
Check the grammar:
Find and fix the mistake:
They playing football in the park.
you / what / doing / are / ?
Translate the phrase:
I / He / They
A: Is it raining? B: No, ___.
Pick the stative verb:
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesI ___ for my English exam this week.
What ___ you ___ right now?
The company ___ a new product this year.
He not working today.
She is wanting a new phone.
Choose the correct sentence:
다음 문장을 영어로 번역해 보세요: '그녀는 전화로 이야기하고 있어요.'
다음 질문을 영어로 번역해 보세요: '오늘 저녁에 뭐 할 거예요?'
이 단어들을 순서대로 배열해 문장을 만드세요:
이 단어들을 순서대로 배열해 질문을 만드세요:
주어와 알맞은 be동사를 연결하세요:
Score: /11
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
Yes! You can use it for fixed plans, like `I'm meeting my friend at 5 PM.`
`Like` is a stative verb. These verbs describe feelings or states, not actions, so they usually stay in the Simple Present.
`I'm working` means right now. `I work` means it is your job or habit.
No, only for short verbs that end in one vowel and one consonant, like `run` -> `running` or `sit` -> `sitting`.
Technically no, but it's used in informal English and advertising (like McDonald's) to show strong, temporary emotion.
Put the 'be' verb first. Instead of `You are eating`, say `Are you eating?`.
Yes, but it usually means you are annoyed. `You are always losing your phone!`
Look for `now`, `at the moment`, `currently`, `today`, and `this week`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Estar + Gerundio
English uses it for future plans; Spanish rarely does.
Présent / Être en train de
French speakers often forget the 'be' verb in English because it doesn't exist in their basic present.
Präsens + gerade
German has no '-ing' equivalent for verbs.
〜ている (-te iru)
The Japanese form can also mean a completed state (e.g., 'he is married').
Present Prefix / Active Participle
Arabic doesn't use an auxiliary 'to be' in the present continuous.
正在 (zhèngzài)
Chinese verbs never change their ending (no -ing).
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Continue With
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