be -ing
Be + -ing is a useful piece of grammar. It basically means something is not finished. So, it is useful when taking about what is happening now or in the future.
What is the -ing form?
| present form | past form | ing form | en form |
| eat work have play |
ate worked had played |
eating working having playing |
eaten worked had played |
What does it mean?
If someone is doing something, it is not finished.
How do we use it?
We use be with the -ing form.
It may not be finished because the person is doing it now.
These things started but are not finished.
It may not be finished because it is happening later (in the future).
We talk about things that have not started and are not finished. We know or say when.
We use the present form of be (am/are/is) and the -ing form to talk about unfinished actions. These actions finish in the future.
I‘m eating breakfast.
This started in the past and finishes in the future. It is happening now.
I‘m eating breakfast at 6AM.
This starts and finishes in the future. It is happening in the future.
We also talk about things that started in the past and finish in the future that are not happening right now.
Sometimes exactly when doesn’t matter. We know it is in the near future.
I‘m learning Spanish.
We know that it isn’t happening right now. I’m speaking English now.
I‘m getting a new bike.
This is in the future. We know that it isn’t happening in the present.
Examples
| Subject | be | Verb -ing | Object | Place/Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| We | are | eating | eggs. | We’re eating eggs. | |
| She | is | working. | She’s working. | ||
| I | am | living | in Sweden. | I’m living in Sweden. | |
| He | is | having | breakfast | at 7:30 tomorrow. | He’s having breakfast at 7:30 tomorrow. |
| You | are | playing | soccer | on Sunday. | You’re playing soccer on Sunday. |
Key Point
We use be -ing to refer to something that is NOT finished.
Exercises
1. Find the -ing form
2. Complete the sentences
3. Complete the conversation
Looking for a good grammar book?
Grammar helps people understand each other better.
If you are interested in a grammar book that looks at common parts of English sentences and what they mean (like be -ing on this page), be sure to check out Real Grammar.
With Real Grammar you understand grammatical meaning. Grammatical meaning helps you understand more of what people say in English.
Real Grammar is grammar for communication.