Short/contracted forms and long forms in the Present Progressive

How to use short/contracted forms with the Present Progressive

We often use short/contracted forms of auxiliaries in spoken English. The Present Progressive is formed with the auxiliary to be (am, are, is), so short/contracted forms are very frequent.

1. Affirmative forms

Pronouns Long forms Contracted forms
I I am reading I'm reading
you you are reading you're reading
he, she, it he is reading he's reading
we, you, they they are reading they're reading

2. Negative forms (not after to be)

Pronouns Long forms Contracted forms
I I am not reading I'm not reading
you you are not reading you're not reading
you aren't reading
he, she, it he is not reading he's not reading
he isn't reading
we, you, they they are not reading they're not reading
they aren't reading