It turns out that the British have their own favorite times. Present Continuous tense or Present Continuous tense is one of them. Today we are talking about how the Present Continuous is formed and when it is used.
General information
In Russian you can find sentences of the following type:
- There's no need to rush! The store is still open!
- She is now choosing a new dress.
- They are currently discussing new issues.
As can be seen from the examples, we are talking about long-term actions, about processes that occur at the very moment when they are spoken about. In Russian, this is indicated by words such as “now”, “at the moment”, “still”. Verbs are used in the present tense. The situation is different in English. To express duration, only adverbs of time are not enough. The main exponent of duration in the language of Foggy Albion is the tense form Present Continuous (Present Continuous):
- Don't hurry! The shop is still working!
- Now she is choosing a new dress.
- At this moment they are discussing new questions.
Education
Sentences in English are constructed according to direct word order. The subjects come first, the predicate comes second. Affirmative sentences in the Present Continuous are no exception. Only the predicate is expressed by two verbs: auxiliary to be and the main one with the addition of an ending to its basis - ing. The following table shows how the formula works in practice “subjects + to be + main verb + -ing”:
When adding the ending -ing to the stem of a semantic verb, it is necessary to pay attention to the final vowel or consonant:
- if the verb ends with a silent vowel -e, then it is omitted ( to bake - baking, to blame - blaming);
- if the verb ends in -ie, then this combination is replaced with -y ( to die - dying);
- if the verb consists of one syllable and ends in a vowel + consonant, then the final consonant is doubled ( to cut - cutting, to put - putting).
Negative sentences
Negation in English is constructed using the negative particle not (not). In the Present Continuous tense, it stands between the auxiliary and main verbs: subjects + to be + not + main verb + -ing.
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Question
A characteristic feature of English interrogative sentences is the reverse word order, when the auxiliary verb comes first. In the Present Continuous, questions are constructed according to the following formula: to be + subjects + main verb + -ing?
Cases of use
The answer to the question of when Present Continuous (Present Continuous) is used lies on the surface - in the very name of time. The word Present (Present) indicates that the action takes place in the present, and Continuous (Long) emphasizes the duration, the duration of the event. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Hidden under the dark water are other nuances of using this tense:
- To illustrate an action that is happening at the moment of speech. In this case, it is possible to use such time markers as at this moment (at the moment), now (now):
My father is not smoking now. He is speaking to our neighbor - My father doesn't smoke now. He is talking to our neighbor.
- To describe an action that is extended over time: it is happening now and will continue for some time. In order to emphasize this “extension”, the time indicators these days (one of these days), currently (now) are used:
My grandmother is currently sewing a new shirt for me - My grandmother is now sewing a new shirt for me (she started sewing even before now and will continue to do this for some time)
- To illustrate temporary situations, events. In these sentences you can find words such as until (not yet), for (during), during (during):
Ann is working as a teacher until she moves to another city - Anna works as a teacher until she moves to another city (her job is not permanent, but temporary).
- To describe events that do not “stand in one place,” they develop and change. As a rule, in these cases the verbs to change (change), to get (become), to begin (begin), to improve (improve), to become (become) are used:
His skills are getting better - His skills are getting better.
- To describe planned activities, as well as events that should happen in the near future:
Tonight they are organizing New Year party - Tonight they are preparing a New Year's party.
The stable expression to be going to (gather) is used in the meaning of the future (We are going to visit a doctor - We are going to visit the doctor).
What have we learned?
The considered rules and examples of Present Continuous for children explain in detail how this tense form is formed when a consonant is doubled and what are the exceptions when adding the ending -ing to the main verb. Complex cases of using time were also explained for beginners.
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Present Progressive (Present Continuous) tense- present continuous tense. In most cases, this time indicates that the action is happening right now. For us Russians, Present Continuous may seem too difficult to understand at first. This is not surprising, because in Russian there are no such verb tenses. For example, the sentence “I play the balalaika” in Russian may mean that I am playing now or playing at all (I know how to play). In English these are two different sentences. However, some verbs in different situations are also used in different ways.
In general terms: if we want to say that an action is happening right now, then we use the Present Continuous (Present Progressive) form. But this is not the only case of using this temporary form. But more on this later. First, let's answer the question - How is Present Progressive (Continuous) formed?
Formation of Present Continuous: elementary rules and examples
The Present Progressive is formed quite simply: we take the verb to be, put it in the form corresponding to the subject (we change it in accordance with the subject - I am, he is, my mother is and so on) and add the verb corresponding to the specific action (in question) with the ending ing, which is “attached” to its base.
Too difficult? Let's look at a diagram illustrating this process.
Still not clear? Okay, let's look at examples. To do this, let's take the verb to think- think. Since it ends in a consonant, then adding ing will not discard anything, that is, we get - thinking. If we want to say "I'm thinking" (about something at the moment), then we get - I am thinking. Now with other people:
Negative and interrogative forms are formed very simply:
| Interrogative form | Negative form |
| Am I think ing? - I think? | I am don't think ing. - I don't think (I'm not thinking.) |
| Are you think ing? - You think? | You are don't think ing. - You do not think. (You aren't thinking.) |
| Is he think ing? - He thinks? | He is don't think ing. He doesn't think. (He isn't thinking.) |
| Is she think ing? - She thinks? | She is don't think ing. She doesn't think. (She isn't thinking.) |
| Is it think ing? - Does it think? | It is don't think ing. It doesn't think. (It isn't thinking.) |
| Are we think ing? - We are thinking? | We are don't think ing. We don't think. (We're not thinking.) |
| Are they think ng? - They think? | They are don't think ing. They don't think. (They aren't thinking.) |
Rules for using the Present Continuous and examples
Forming the Present Continuous form is quite simple. The most difficult thing is the correct use of this form. The point is that there are several cases when it is necessary to use the Present Continuous tense and not some other tense. Briefly, all these cases are indicated using a diagram:
This scheme is not yet entirely clear to us, but it will be useful in order to quickly remember the main cases of using the present progressive.
So, Present Continuous is used:
1. Designation of what is happening or not happening now, at the moment (now, at the moment).
- I'm studying the present continuous . - I have been studying the present for a long time.
- I'm not watching TV at the moment. — I’m not watching TV at the moment.
- I'm sitting now.- I'm sitting now.
- I'm using the Internet. — I use the Internet.
- We're talking about life. — We talk about life.
- She's not listening to me. — She doesn’t listen to me (now).
2. Designation of what is happening now in the broadest sense of the word - today, this month, this year, and so on. Temporary situations that we feel or know will not last.
- I am studying to become a teacher. — I am studying to become a teacher (for example, 5 years).
- Are you working on any special projects at work? — Are you (now) working on some kind of work project?
- I’m living in Moscow for a few months. — I’ve been living in Moscow for several months.
- I'm reading a great book. I am reading a wonderful book (Now, these days. Reading a book is a long process).
- He’s living with his mother until he finds an apartment. — He lives with his mother until he finds an apartment.
3. New or temporary habits that have not always existed.
- My father is smoking too much . (He used to smoke less or not at all).
- My cat’s eating a lot these days . (She never ate so much before).
4. Repetitive, annoying actions, habits using always, constantly, forever:
- I don’t like him because he is always complaining.
- They're forever being late.
- My sister is always losing her keys.
5. Plans for the near future
- I'm leaving at 5 am. — I leave at 5 am.
- Are you visiting your parents next weekend? — Will you visit your parents next weekend?
- I am not going to the party tonight. — I won't go to the party today.
6. Situation change (usually slow) - little by little, gradually etc.
- My son is getting better at playing the guitar.
- The weather is improving.
These were all the rules for the formation and use of the present continuous (the present progressive).
>>The Present Progressive Tense
Using Present Progressive Tense
Present Progressive is used to express actions that happen:
At a precise moment in the present:
She is reading the book now. - Now she is reading a book.
in a longer period in the present:
They are moving to a new flat. - They are moving to a new apartment.
to express planned actions that will happen in the future:
I am leaving tomorrow. - I leave tomorrow.
Present Progressive is not used with the following verbs:
to remember - remember to hate - to hate
to know - to know to hear - to hear
to like - like to want - want
to need - to need to think - (meaning) to believe
to forget - forget to believe - believe
to be - to be, to be to understand - to understand
Education Present Progressive Tense
When adding the ending -ing
If the verb ends in -e, then it is discarded:
take - taking, give - giving.
The final consonant is doubled if it is preceded by a stressed vowel in a closed syllable:
cut - cutting, begin - beginning.
If the letter l
travel - travelling.
The letter combination ie changes to y: die - dying, tie - tying, lie - lying.
Verb conjugation in Present Progressive Tense
Formation of affirmative, negative and interrogative
Affirmative proposal (UP)
Not speaking to Jane now. - He's talking to Jane now.
Negative Sentence (OP)
Not is not speaking to Sabby now.
General Question (OB)
Ishe speaking to Jane now? - Is he talking to Jane now? -
Yes, he is. - Yes.
Alternative question (AV)
What is he doing? - What is he doing?
Question to the subject (VP)
Who is speaking to Jane now? -Who's talking to Jane now? -
Not is. - He.
Separated question
Not speaking to Jane now, isn't he? - Yes, he is.
He's talking to Jane now, isn't he?
I know this man. - I know this man.
Present Continuous is the present continuous tense in English, its main meaning is a continuous action taking place at the present moment. In contrast to, it expresses precisely a long-term action, that is, an action that happened, but not happened.
Present Continuous education scheme: rules and examples
Let's look at how the continuous present tense is formed in an affirmative, negative and interrogative sentence.
1. Affirmative form: I am talking
In the affirmative form, the Present Continuous is formed using a verb and a verb with the ending – ing, in this case only the verb changes to be. Examples are given in the table:
Examples:
Are you talking to me? -Are you talking to me?
Is this device working properly? – Does this device work correctly?
Are you kidding? - Are you kidding?
Meaning of Present Continuous: When is the continuous simple tense used?
Present Continuous is used in the following cases.
- A long-term action occurs now, that is, at the moment of speech.
Example sentences:
I am going to a swimming pool. – I’m going to the pool (I’m going now).
I am working. – I’m working (at the moment).
Compare how the meaning changes if the verb is in:
I go to a swimming pool. – I go to the pool (in general, regularly, but not at the moment).
I work. – I’m working (in general, not at the moment).
- A long-term action takes place in the present period of time.
That is, not literally now, at this second, but over a wider period of time, for example, during this day, this month.
I am reading the book “War and Peace” . – I am reading the book “War and Peace” (not at the moment, the book is in the process of reading).
He is writing a new song. – He is writing a new song (not right now, but in some real period of time).
- To express an action that will happen in the near future.
That is, to express the intention to perform this action or the confidence that it will certainly happen.
You are going with me - You are coming with me (meaning: you will come with me).
I am leaving the town in 24 hours – I’m leaving the city in 24 hours (I’ll leave).
- A repetitive action with a negative connotation.
This case is rarely mentioned in educational literature, but it should be mentioned because it is characteristic of colloquial speech. Present Continuous with words like always, constantly(meaning “constantly”, “all the time”) expresses some unpleasant, irritating action that occurs regularly.
He is constantly talking. I hate it. - He talks all the time. I hate it.
I don't like them because they are always complaining. – I don’t like them because they constantly complain.
In essence, the meaning is like y - a repeated regular action, but here we are talking about an annoying, unpleasant action.
Verbs that are not used in the Present Continuous
Some verbs expressing perception, feelings, emotional state are not used (as a rule) in Continuous tenses, because they cannot express a continuous action. These include verbs.
The Present Continuous (Progressive) Tenses
Education
formed using an auxiliary verb to be in the present tense and the present participle of the semantic verb:
Short answers:
Are you learning English? - Yes, I am.
Use
1. The Present Continuous (Progressive) Tense used to express a continuing unfinished action occurring at the moment of speech. The moment of speech can be expressed by the following adverbs or phrases: now, at present, at the moment etc., but may be clear from the context:
What's that smell? Something's burning. - What is that smell? Something is burning.
Why are you wearing that funny hat? - Why are you wearing this funny hat?
2. This tense also expresses a long-term action taking place in the present period, not necessarily at the moment of speech.
Please don"t take that book. Anna"s reading it. - Please don't take this book. Anya reads it.
Andrew"s spending a lot of time in the library these days, as he"s writing a book. - Andrew spends a lot of time in the library these days because... writes a book.
3. In addition, this tense is used to express a future long-term action (instead of Future Continuous) in adverbial subordinate clauses of conditions and time, which are introduced by conjunctions if, when, while etc. (see pp. 231-232):
I"ll be reading the newspaper while you are writing your exercises. - I will read the newspaper while you write exercises.
4. Note that in emotionally charged statements it can also be used with adverbs characterizing constant, habitual actions:
He"s always writing with a special pen just because he likes to be different (irritation). - He always writes with a special pen just because he doesn’t want to be like everyone else.
5. The Present Continuous (Progressive) Tense conveys a future event that has already been planned at the time of speech and will occur in the near future. In this meaning The Present Continuous used with verbs of motion or action (activity and motion): to see, to meet, to go, to come, to leave, to start etc. and usually with a tense indicating the future:
They "re getting married in June. - They will get married in June.
We "re leaving at 11.00 in the morning. - We leave at 11 am.
I "m seeing him tomorrow. - I will see him tomorrow.
We"re having dinner together. - We will have lunch together.
I"m starting a new job next week. - I will start a new job next week.
To express the intention to perform an action or confidence in its completion in the future, along with Present Continuous (Progressive) often used Present Continuous (Progressive) from the verb to be in combination with the infinitive of the verb in the meaning “going to, intending, intending”:
He is going to spend his summer vacation in the Crimea. - He is going to spend his summer holidays in Crimea.
If the sentence is about intention expressed by verbs to go or to come, design to be going to do sth replaced Present Continuous (Progressive) corresponding verbs:
He is going (coming) there (here). - He is going to go (come) there (here).
The sky is clearing up; the rain is going to stop in a minute. - The sky is clearing; the rain will stop in a minute.
Some verbs cannot have forms Continuous (Progressive):
I like Indian food. - I love Indian food.
Verbs not used in the form Continuous (Progressive)(see Appendix, p. 271 for a more complete list):
Verbs of mental activity: to know, to mind, to understand, to believe, to forget, to remember, to mean, to doubt, to recognize:
She knows a lot about astrology. - She knows a lot about astrology.
I believe his story. - I believe his story (story).
Do you understand what I"m saying? - Do you understand what I’m talking about?
I think he is a kind man. - I think he is a kind person.
I don"t recognize him. - I don’t recognize him.
I remember my first teacher. - I remember my first teacher.
I forget his name. - I forget his name.
I mean this book, not that one. - I mean this book, not that one.
Verbs expressing emotional states: to like, to dislike, to look, to prefer, to want, to care, to hate, to love, to need, to appreciate, to seem:
I like playing football. - I like to play football.
They love listening to music. - They love to listen to music.
I hate getting up early in the morning. - I hate getting up early in the morning.
I want to leave now. - Now I want to leave.
He prefers to stay here. - He prefers to stay here.
I need some help. - I need help.
I appreciate your help. - I appreciate your help.
He seems to be a nice person. - He seems like a good person.
Verbs of the five senses: sight, smell, taste, hearing, sensation ( to see, fo smell, to taste, to hear, to touch). They are usually used with a modal verb саn: саn see, can smell, can hear, can taste, can feel:
I can smell something burning. - I feel something is burning.
Can you see Peter? - Do you see Peter?
What's that noise? Can you hear it? - What is this noise? Do you hear?
This food tastes good. - This food is delicious.
Verbs of possession: to possess, to own, to belong, to have:
I have two sisters. - I have two sisters.
Not owns a car. - He has a car.
This book belongs to me. - It is my book.
He possesses many fine qualities. - He has many good qualities.
Some other verbs: to cost, to need, to contain, to depend, to consist, to seem:
A newspaper costs about 20p. - A newspaper costs about 20 pence.
I need a bath. - I need to take a bath.
Be careful! That bottle contains poison. - Carefully! There is poison in this bottle.
Some of the above verbs can be used in the form Continuous (Progressive), but their meaning changes:
to think meaning "to have an opinion" in Continuous (Progressive) not used:
What do you think of classical music? - What do you think about classical music? I think it's boring. - I think it's boring.
However to think in the meaning of “to have something in mind, to think” is used in Continuous (Progressive), because it is a mental activity, not a state:
You aren't listening to me? What are you thinking about? - Can't you hear me? What are you thinking about? I'm thinking about a letter I received this morning. - I'm thinking about the letter I received this morning.
to have Continuous (Progressive).
When indicating an action in a form Continuous (Progressive) used to have+ noun:
John"s having a bath. - John is taking a bath.
We"re having cheese for lunch. - We have cheese for lunch.
to look at And listen to can be used in Continuous (Progressive):
She"s looking at my holiday photographs. - She looks at my photographs taken on vacation.
Don"t turn the music off. I"m listening to it. - Don't turn off the music. I'm listening to.
to see used in the form Continuous (Progressive) in the meaning of “to visit”, “to inspect”, “to watch a film”:
We are seeing a film. - We are watching a movie.
to hear used in Continuous (Progressive) in the meaning of “listen”, “attend (lectures)”, etc.:
I "m hearing your voice. - I listen to your voice.
You will be hearing from me (meaning: I will write or phone you.) - I will contact you soon.
to mean in the meaning of "intend" is used in the forms Continuous (Progressive):
I have been meaning to call you (intending) - I'm going to call you.
Common mistakes
Are you learning English?
Yes, I"m.
Is Marianna reading now?
Yes, she's.
Brief affirmative answers cannot be abbreviated.
Right answers:
Yes, I am; Yes, she is.
I'm liking Indian food.
Some verbs have no forms Continuous so it's correct to say:
I like Indian food.
I"m having black hair.
Verb to have in the meaning of "possess" has no form Continuous:
I have (have got) black hair.