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The te-form of action verb + "imasu (iru)"

If the verb indicates an action that can continue once started "to be -ing", such as "tabemasu" or "hanashimasu", it has the meaning above.  Thus, "tabeteiru"=I am eating.   

Other verbs of this kind are "nomimasu, arukimasu, hashirimasu, utaimasu, oyogimasu, kakimasu, mimasu, tsukaimasu, tsukurimasu, yasumimasu, benkyoushimasu, aimasu".

Drink coffee – Ko-hi- o nomimasu
Drinking coffee – Ko-hi- o nonde imasu
Drank coffee – Ko-hi- o nomimashita

I am writing a letter to friend – Tomodachi ni tegami o (kaku)kaite imasu
I am not writing postcard to friend – Tomodachi ni hagaki wa kaite imasen
I am singing oddies – Mukashi no uta o (utau)utatte imasu
I am not singing new song – Atarashii uta wa utatte imasen

Q : What are you doing? – Nani o (suru)shite imasu ka?
A : Swimming at the pool – Pu-ru de (oyogu)oyoide imasu


The te-form of verb + "iru/ imasu"
1. A continuing action at a certain point in time (E.g. I am studying Japanese now.)

2. A state or condition that was created by a previous action or event and that is still maintained at a certain point in time. (E.g. I have been studied (or studying) Japanese for two years.)

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