they are
»
they're
are not
»
aren't
is not
»
isn't
Related topics:
The forms of the participle
Subject-auxiliary inversion in questions
Present continuous for actions in progress at the time of speaking
The present continuous tense is used to refer to actions that are in progress at or around the time of speaking:
"What
are
you
doing
?" "I
am reading
a book."
New York police
are investigating
the case.
Let's take an umbrella. It'
s raining
.
I'
m staying
at the Hotel Royal.
Quotes:
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. - Oscar Wilde
Related topics:
Past continuous for actions in progress at a specific point in the past
Future continuous for actions in progress at a specific point in the future
Present continuous for gradual development
The present continuous can express change and gradual development in the present:
I feel that things
are getting
better.
More and more people
are giving
up smoking.
Related topics:
Past continuous for gradual development
Present continuous for frequently repeated actions in the present
With time expressions such as always, constantly, continually and all the time, the present continuous can express frequently repeated actions which annoy the speaker:
Adults
are always asking
little kids what they want to be.
Her mother
is constantly checking
up on her.
Why
are
you
continually criticising
me?
Quotes:
Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses. - Alphonse Karr
Related topics:
Past continuous for frequently repeated actions in the past
Present continuous for temporary habitual actions in the present
The present continuous is used to express repeated or habitual actions in the present that are temporary and may or may not actually be happening at the time of speaking:
Lucy
is taking
piano lessons these days.
Are
you still
seeing
that guy from the hiking club?
Related topics:
Past continuous for temporary habitual actions in the past
Future continuous for temporary habitual actions in the future
Present continuous for habitual actions in the present
The present continuous tense is used to describe repeated, habitual actions that begin before a specific point in time (not necessarily the time of speaking) and finish after it. This point can be expressed with a time expression or a clause with a verb in the present simple tense:
At 7.15, I'
m having
breakfast.
Whenever I get home, my dog
is sleeping
in the armchair.
The present continuous is also used for repeated, habitual actions that continue for a period of time. This period of time can be expressed with a time expression or a clause with a verb in the present continuous tense:
I'
m having
breakfast between 7 and 7.30.
While I'
m walking
the dog, my wife
is making
dinner.
Related topics:
Present simple for present habits and states
Present perfect
Form: present perfect
Present perfect for past events
Present perfect for recent events with a result in the present
Present perfect with an incomplete period
Present perfect with FOR and SINCE
Present perfect with JUST
Present perfect with YET and ALREADY
IT'S (BEEN) + DAYS / WEEKS / MONTHS / etc. + SINCE
Present perfect with quantities
Present perfect with superlative forms of adjectives
Present perfect with WHEN
Form: present perfect
HAVE/HAS + PAST PARTICIPLE
The present perfect is formed with have/has (the present tense forms of have) + the past participle form of the verb.
Affirmative
Subject
Auxiliary
Verb (past participle)
I
have
seen
this film before.
You
We
You
They
He/She/It
has
The following contracted forms are often used in spoken and in informal written language:
I have
»
I've
you have
»
you've
he/she/it has
»
he's/she's/it's
we have
»
we've
you have