To make the present continuous negative, add not after am, is, or are, as in she isn’t watching TV. To ask a question, invert am, is, or are with the subject, as in is he cooking dinner. Never use do or does with the present continuous.
Grammar Rule
Never mix do/does with the present continuous — only am/is/are are used.
Present Continuous: Negative and Question Forms
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | am not / isn’t / aren’t + verb-ing | I’m not eating breakfast. She isn’t watching TV. We aren’t sleeping. |
| Question | Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing…? | Is he cooking dinner? Are you studying now? |
Remember: never use do/does with the present continuous.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using the correct negative or question form of the present continuous. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Present Continuous – Negative and Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make the present continuous negative?
Add not after am, is, or are, as in I’m not eating breakfast or she isn’t watching TV.
How do you ask a question in the present continuous?
Invert am, is, or are with the subject, as in is he cooking dinner or are you studying now.
Can you use do or does with the present continuous?
No. The present continuous never uses do or does, only am, is, or are.
What does aren’t mean in the present continuous?
Aren’t is the negative form of are, used with you, we, and they, as in we aren’t sleeping.