Present Continuous - formation and use. Present continuous: example sentences and forms of use
We continue to study times. Present Continuous is the simplest tense of all times in English language.
Important for beginners!
Don't overwhelm yourself with a list of 40 verbs, which are not used in the present continuum. Why, more on this at the end of the article.
So, in simple terms:
— rules for using Present Continuous,
- how to say a regular sentence in this tense,
- how to ask a question,
- sentences with negation - “He doesn’t do, doesn’t sleep, etc.”
— video from native speakers about Present Continuous,
Present Continuous - education
be + verb + ing
I'm driving. I'm going /now/.
He is sleeping. He's sleeping.
She is working. She works.
You are drinking. You are drinking. Do you drink.
We are eating. We are eating.
They are sitting. They are sitting.
Sentences with negation in the Present Continuous
Before the verb in the -ing form, the particle -not is added.
I'm not sleeping. I am not sleeping.
He is not working. He does not work.
She is not driving. She's not driving now.
You are not playing. You're not playing.
We are not walking. We don't go.
They are not reading. They do not read.
Interrogative sentences in the Present Continuous
be + verb + ing
Am I working? I am working?
Is he driving? He is driving?
Is she smoking? Does she smoke now?
Are you listening? You listen?
Are they cooking? They are cooking?
Are we speaking? We are speaking?
Possible answers to the question
Yes, I am. No, I'm not. Yes I'm working. No, I smoke.
When to use Present Simple - 5 cases
For beginners learning English, to begin with, it is enough to remember the very first basic rule.
All the other four, you will not use anywhere for now.
1. We speak in the Present Continuous when we perform an action right now.
A friend calls you and asks: What are you doing? What are you doing? Now.
Your Answer:
I'm watching Youtube videos. I watch videos on YouTube.
I'm eating now. I am eating now.
I'm driving. I'm going.
I'm not stadying. I don't teach.
2. Actions that continue for some time.
Indicator words: still, only.
I signed up for belly dancing.
A friend asks me: Are you still practicing dancing?
“Do you still go dancing?”
My answer: Yes, I am. Yes, I still go there.
3. Cases when there are precise plans for the near or distant future.
What are you doing tomorrow? What are you doing tomorrow?
We're going to New York city tomorrow. We're going to New York tomorrow.
I'm seeing a movie tomorrow. Tomorrow I will watch a movie.
I am meeting some friends after work. I'm meeting with friends tomorrow after work.
I'm not going to the party tonight. I won't go to the party in the evening.
Is he visiting his parents next weekend? Will he go to his parents next week?
We are going to Cuba in November. We are going to Cuba in November.
We are traveling to AU next year. Next year we will go to Australia.
4. Temporary state or behavior of a person.
In life he doesn’t do this, but now/today he has changed his actions.
Why are you being so selfish?
Why are you so selfish?
Normally Tom eats soup, but today he is wanting milk. Usually Tom eats soup, but today he wants milk. /about the child/
5. Repetitive actions in human behavior- both negative and positive, which you like or DO NOT like.
Indicator words: always, constantly.
He is always complaining. He complains constantly.
She is constantly helping people. She always helps people.
I’m always coming to class late. I'm always late for classes.
He is constantly talking. She talks incessantly.
Well, and finally,
List of verbs supposedly “not used” in the Present Continuous form"
Guys, don't waste your time learning all these verbs.
Three reasons.
1. The most significant. 70% of them, oddly enough, are not often BUT used by speakers in Present Continius. Take a look below at the list and examples I've collected.
2. While you are at the initial stage of learning English, believe me, you will have nowhere to use these verbs.
Don’t burden yourself, and don’t let Russian teachers burden you. Everything will come in time.
3.The media themselves, certified English teachers - no one mentions these verbs in their materials. Why do you think? see first two points.
I provide a list of these unfortunate verbs solely for the benefit of beginners.
And below are examples from the natives themselves.
As you can see, all words are in the Present Continuous form.
I'm seeing thinner.
I’m trusting you more than I trust most people.
It’s taken some study, but I’m just understanding the basics now.
Am I losing muscle if I’m weighing less?
Children not resembling mother.
Oh, I’m remembering that now.
Ok, I am recognizing that the voice inside my head.
If you're realizing, you already have an inkling about where you can improve.
Are you suggesting that my friend Benny is a liar?
You're insisting too much on that!
Are they refusing my offer?
I'm preferring now
Are you advising me?
Are you seeing me?
Are you hearing them?
I'm feeling that..
Hello! If you are interested in the rules of formation and use of time Present Continuous in English, then you have come to the right place! I will tell you what the Present Continuous tense is, I will explain the nuances of the formation and use of this tense, and also for clarity, I will give many examples.
What is Present Continuous Tense?
Present Continuous Tense is a temporary form of a verb that describes actions or states that are ongoing at the moment of speech. That is, Present Continuous Tense shows actions and states in progress! This is how it differs from the simple present tense (Present Simple Tense).
There is no equivalent in Russian for Present Continuous Tense. It provides only one tense form for the present tense, which expresses both shades of simple and continuous tense. Let's see this with an example:
- Present Continuous: You are speaking Spanish - You speak Spanish. (Meaning that you speak Spanish at this moment in time.)
- Present Simple: You speak Spanish. — You speak Spanish. (Meaning that you can speak Spanish at all.)
As you can see, in Russian the same verb form conveys different shades of the present tense. Time Present Continuous
Rules for the formation of Present Continuous Tense
The Present Continuous tense is complex. It is formed using an auxiliary verb to be in Present Simple Tense (am, are, is) and present participles of the main verb (verb ending -ing).
When forming the Present Participle, it is important to know the following rules:
- If the verb ends in an unpronounceable -e, then it is lowered:
to drive e- driving
to give e- giving
- If a verb ends in a consonant after a stressed syllable, the consonant is doubled:
sit − si tt ing
to stop - sto pp ing
to forget - forge tt ing
- If the verb ends in -l, preceded by a vowel, then -l always doubles (in the American version this rule not complied with).
to travel - travel ll ing
to fulfil - fulfi ll ing
- If the verb ends in -ie, That -ie changes to -y:
to l ie—l y ing
to d ie-d y ing
Formation of the affirmative form:
- subject + to be in Present Simple (am, are, is) + Present Participle of main verb (V + ing)
Formation of the interrogative form:
- to be in Present Simple (am, are, is) + subject + Present Participle of main verb (V + ing)
Formation of negative form:
- subject + to be in the Present Simple (am, are, is) + negation of not + Present Participle of the main verb (V + ing)
Conjugation table for the verb to starve in Present Continuous Tense
| Number | Face | Affirmative form | Interrogative form | Negative form |
| Unit h. | 1
2 3 |
I am(I"m) starv ing
You are (You"re) starv ing He/She/It is (He's/ She's/ It's) starv ing |
Am I starv ing?
Are you starv ing? Is he/ she/ it starv ing? |
I am (I"m) not starv ing
You are not (aren't) starv ing He/She/It is not (isn"t) starv ing |
| Mn. h. | 1
2 3 |
We are (We"re) starv ing
You are (You"re) starv ing They are (They"re) starv ing |
Are we starv ing?
Are you starv ing? Are they starv ing? |
We are not (aren't) starv ing
You are not (aren't) starv ing They are not (aren't) starv ing |
I advise you to thoroughly learn this table as a cliche, where you will then substitute other verbs.
when can you use Present Continuous?Not all English verbs are used in the continuous tense. Verbs that denote desires, thoughts, states, feelings, as a rule, are not used in the Present Continuous form. You can find a more detailed list of such verbs in the article: Present Simple tense in English
Present Continuous Tense is used:
1. When expressing an action that is happening at the moment (now). Very often in such sentences there are time circumstances by which the Present Continuous Tense can be accurately determined. For example:
- now - now
- at the moment - at the moment
- Don’t you smell something is burning? - Don't you feel like something is burning?
- What are you talking about now? - What are you talking about now?
2. When expressing an action or state that lasts in the present tense (the action has already begun and has not yet ended), but not necessarily related to the given moment of speech:
- Sorry but I can’t lend you this book because I’m reading it myself. - Sorry, but I can’t lend you this book because... I’m reading it myself now.
- I’m studying at the university. - I study at University.
3. When expressing any inclination or constant habit (usually negative). In such sentences, the verb expresses impatience or disapproval and is often accompanied by adverbs:
- always - always
- constantly - constantly
- all the time - all the time
- She is always coming too late! - She always comes too late!
- I’m constantly wearing with my teachers. — I constantly quarrel with my teachers.
4. When expressing actions planned for the near future. Verbs of motion are often used in such sentences:
- to come - go
- to move - to move
- to leave - to leave
- to stay - to stay
- to return - return
- to start - to start
and expressions:
- to have guests - to have guests
- to give a party - make a party
- I am giving a birthday party tomorrow. — Tomorrow I'm throwing a birthday party.
- They are leaving us this afternoon. “They are leaving us tonight.”
Note!
The combination of the verb to go in the Present Continuous Tense with the infinitive form of another verb also expresses the intention to perform an action in the near future:
- Why are you going to change your flat? - Why are you going to change your apartment?
- I'm going to present him to my parents. “I’m going to introduce him to my parents.”
6. When expressing an action that occurs simultaneously with another action expressed in Present Simple Tense. That is, in subordinate clause time or condition after unions.
Education Present Continuous
(am/is/are + … -ing)
Present Continuous (Present Progressive) is formed with the help to be in present time ( am, is, are) and the present participle form of the semantic verb: I am smiling. When adding endings to verbs - ing sometimes there are changes in their spelling, for example have/hav ing. More about .
Abbreviated forms:
‘m= am
‘re= are
's= is
aren't= are not
isn't= is not
Using the Present Continuous
1. A long-term action taking place at the moment of speech ( now - now, at the present moment - at the moment, at this moment - at this moment).
Examples: What are you doing? - What are you doing? (Now)
You are not listening to me. - You are not listening to me. (Now)
My mother is reading a book now. – My mother is reading a book now.
2. A long-term action taking place at the present time, but not necessarily at the moment of speech.
Examples: What are you doing here in Munich? – What are you doing here in Munich?
You 're working too much these days. – You work too much these days.
3. Planned future action, especially with verbs indicating movement ( to go - go/drive, to come - come, to leave - leave/leave, to arrive - arrive/arrive, to start - set off/set off on a journey), when the intention to perform an action is expressed, or we are talking about a pre-planned action. A sentence usually contains tense adverbs that indicate a future tense.
Examples: She is leaving for another city tonight. -She is leaving for another city this evening.
He is taking an exam on Monday. He takes the exam on Monday.
4. Expression of action in the future (instead of) in adverbial clauses and, which are introduced by conjunctions if, when, while etc.
Examples: If I am working when you come, don’t disturb me. “If I’m working when you come, don’t bother me.”
5. Present Continuous (Present Progressive), as a rule, is not used with:
- verbs of emotional state ( to wish - to wish, to desire - to wish, to love - to love),
- verbs mental activity (to agree - to agree, to believe - to believe, to remember - to remember, to think - to consider/believe * ),
- verbs of sensation ( to hear- hear * , to see – to see * , to taste – to have taste * , to smell - to smell * ),
- a group of verbs of possession, relationship ( to be * - to be, to consist - to consist, to belong - to belong.
Note.Verbs marked * can be used in the Continuous form, but only with a change in meaning. More about .
Examples: I know what I am doing. - I know what I'm doing.
I think she is beautiful. – I think she is beautiful. (my opinion)
Be quite! I 'm thinking. - Quiet! I think. (mental activity)
Note.To express an intended or planned action in the future, instead is often used. This construction means the intention to perform an action in the very near future or gives a connotation of obligation, the inevitability of performing the action indicated by the infinitive.
Examples: I 'm going to have dinner with Bob tomorrow. - I'm going to have lunch with Bob tomorrow.
He is going to be a surgeon. - He's going to be a surgeon.
Present Continuous Tense is one of the tense forms of the English language, which has no analogues in Russian. Its exact name is translated as present continuous (continuous), and this already contains the essence of this time: it is used to describe the situation occurring at a given moment in time.
The present continuous tense in English has many features of use, and due to the fact that in the Russian language there is no division of tenses into long or regular ones, it can cause some difficulties for those who study English.
So, we can give two examples that reflect this situation:
· I’m speaking English - I speak English (meaning the fact that I speak English right now)
· I speak English - I speak English (meaning that I always speak English).
In the second example, the tense Present Indefinite (Simple) is used to show the regularity and constancy of the action. In the first case, the Present Continuous is used to emphasize that the situation is happening in a given specific time period.
Education Present Continuous
It is important to understand not only how the Present Continuous is formed, but also why it happens this way. The basis of this tense is the auxiliary verb to be, the three forms of which in the present tense, as is known, are am (for the pronoun “I”), is (“he”, “she”, “it”) and are (“we” , “you”, “they”). In addition, the tense construction includes a verb form called Present Participle, or Participle I, which ends in –ing. Thus, the present continuous tense in English, or rather, the Present Continuous formula is as follows:
Am
Is + V-ing
Are
Questions and denials
Interrogative sentences
This temporary form differs in that no auxiliary words like do and does are used here, as is the case with Present Indefinite. In this case, the scheme is simple: the verb to be in the required form is placed first, followed by the subject, and then the rest of the construction:
· Are you going to school now? – Are you going to school now?
· Is he watching a new film at the moment? – Is he watching a new film now?
But here you should also pay attention to the fact that, like any other tense, the Present Continuous has different types of questions. And if the above-described sentences relate to general questions, then, for example, special questions in the Present Continuous (the question does not apply to the subject here) are formed using a special question word, which comes first, and the further order is exactly the same:
· Where is he going? - Where is he going?
· Why are they running so fast? -Why do they run so fast?
Question to the subject
present continuum has some peculiarity: it comes first interrogative pronoun who, asking a question about an animate object, or what (about an inanimate object). In Russian, a question to the subject begins with the words who or what.
Examples of what a question to a subject looks like in the Present Continuous:
· Who is making such a strange noise? – Who makes such a strange noise?
· What is flying over that house? -What is flying over that house?
Negative sentences
They do not carry any complexity at all: the particle not is simply added to the verb to be in the required form. Here are some example sentences that illustrate negation in the Present Continuous:
· I’m not walking with my friend now – I’m not walking with a friend now
· They are not talking to their chief at the moment - At the moment they are not talking to their boss.
Rules for writing verb forms in the Present Continuous
Present continuous grammar requires compliance with certain rules for writing certain verbs used in the continuous form:
1. If the last vowel of the verb is an unpronounceable –e, then it will not be written:
to drive – driving
to describe – describing
to dance – dancing
2. There are also situations where consonant doubling occurs:
· if the last consonant of the verb is preceded by a short stressed vowel sound, then this consonant will be doubled:
to stop – stopping
to cut – cutting
to forget – forgetting
· in the event that the last consonant is –l, preceded by a vowel, then this –l will also be doubled:
to tell – telling
to travel – travelling
to spell – spelling
Note: The doubling rule –l is not typical for American English.
3. In the case when the verb ends in the letter combination –ie, then it is replaced with –y:
to die – dying
to lie – lying
Note: if the verb ends in –y, then in this case the ending –ing is simply added to it:
to fly – flying
to cry – crying
Cases of using the Present Continuous
The use of the Present Continuous is typical for the following situations:
1. In order to show long lasting effect,
happening at a specific moment in time. The present tense tense, also called the Present Progressive Tense, often has some so-called markers, the presence of which in the text, as a rule, indicates that the tense will be just that. Such indicator words and constructions are usually now, at the moment. But at the same time, it is important to remember that when talking about the present moment, you should not focus on the fact that the action is performed at one specific moment and only now. If in Russian we use words like now or now, in English we use the Present Continuous in a broader sense:
· John, you are talking nonsense - John, you are talking nonsense
· Jack and Mary are in London now. Mary is studying English – Jack and Mary are now in London. Mary is studying English.
At the same time, there are also examples of the Present Continuous, when this tense is used to show a certain state or quality characteristic of a person at a particular moment in time:
· You are being a nuisance - you are in the way;
· You are being bitter - you are sorry.
Note: if we are talking about actions taking place in the present tense, but describing not the process, but the fact of the action itself, then it is customary to use the Present Indefinite tense:
· Why don’t you answer, Emily? – Why don’t you answer, Emily?
· Your defend him despite all his misdeeds - You protect him, despite all his misdeeds
2. In a situation where there are two actions in one sentence,
and one of them shows regularity, and the other - a process, then in the first case the Present Indefinite Tense should be used, and in the second - the Present Continuous Tense:
· You never talk while you are working – You never talk when you work
· She always dreams while she is walking – She always dreams while she walks
3. To express the future
In English, the Present Continuous can express not only the present, but also. This is typical for situations when we are talking about actions that were decided and planned in advance, and the chance of their implementation is close to one hundred percent:
· I am leaving tomorrow at sunset - I’m leaving tomorrow at sunset
· They are coming to us on Sunday - They will come to us on Sunday
The construction to be going to deserves special attention, which is translated into English as going to do something and is also used to express intentions for the future. Its difference from the Present Continuous is that, as a rule, the exact time is not indicated here:
· I am going to visit you - I’m going to visit you
· She is going to come - She is going to come
Note: Present rule Continuous provides for the use of this tense exclusively in such situations, and not the Future Indefinite, where decisions aimed at the future are usually spontaneous and only probable.
4. With “constantly, always, ever”
With the Present Continuous, those sentences are usually used, situations in which are aimed at demonstrating those actions that are always continuous and never stand still. In this case, special hints often appear in the form of adverbs constantly, always, ever:
· The population of the Earth is always increasing – The population of the Earth is constantly increasing
· The Sun is ever shining – The sun always shines
5. Irritation
Often there are such sentences in the Present Continuous, in which the speaker expresses the idea of irritation and negative emotions towards another. Here the same satellites are also usually used - the adverbs always, constantly:
· You are always grumbling! -You're always grumbling!
· She is constantly complaining! “She’s always complaining!”
Verbs not used in Continuous
English, like, perhaps, any other language, has its own strict laws. If we are talking about Present Continuous Active, then it is extremely important to remember that not all verbs can form the Present Participle form and be used to indicate a process. Below are categories of verbs that are not used in the Continuous and cannot form the –ing or so-called form:
· verbs of sensory perception (see, hear, smell, etc.);
· verbs, the essence of which is to express desire and intention (wish, intend, want, etc.);
· verbs illustrating mental activity (think, suppose, believe, etc.);
· verbs showing feelings and emotions (love, hate, like, etc.);
· verbs displaying abstract relationships (have, belong, possess, etc.).
But even in these cases there are exceptions: for example, the verb of sensory perception to see in its direct meaning see has no right to stand in Continuous. But, acting, for example, as a phrasal verb (to see off) or being part of some construction (to see the sights of), it has every right to form the –ing form. This means that all verbs that are not used in the Continuous can be used in one way or another for a long time, and such situations with them are formed and sound quite natural:
· I’m thinking of tomorrow’s meeting – I’m thinking about tomorrow’s meeting
· What are you doing? – I am having breakfast – What are you doing? I eat breakfast
Thus, even such a relatively simple time has many nuances that must be taken into account. The Present Continuous has simple rules of use, but each of them has its own characteristics, and once you understand them, it will be much easier to use this tense in speech.
Basic table for the formation of the affirmative form of the Present Continuous Tense in English
Let's first take a look at the How is Present Continuous Tense formed?. It belongs to compound tenses, since even in affirmative sentences it consists of an auxiliary and a main verb.
The auxiliary verb for the present continuous tense is verb to be in the present tense, or rather its forms am, is, are. An ending is added to the main verb, which will denote the action being performed. -ing.
Remember!
To form an affirmative sentence in the Present Continuous, use one of the verb forms be (am/is/are) and main verb ending -ing.
It's important to remember that auxiliary verb to be always agrees with the subject, that is, its form am/is/are must correspond to the number and person of the subject. Let's look at the examples in more detail:
- Hey, you are eating my ice-cream(Russian: Hey, are you eating my ice cream): you- subject, are- auxiliary verb (agrees with the subject), eating- main verb (does not agree with the subject, frozen form)
I am reading a book(Russian: I'm reading a book): I- subject, are- auxiliary verb (agrees with the subject), reading .
He is working as a secretary now(Russian. He now works as a secretary): he- subject, is working- main verb (does not agree with the subject, frozen form)
Examples of affirmative sentences in the Present Continuous with translation:
Often used in colloquial speech abbreviated forms of the linking verb to be: I'm, You're, He's/She's/It's etc.
If the sentence contains homogeneous predicates, then the linking verb to be is usually omitted, for example:
James and Sally are spending the evening together, watching a new video(Russian: James and Selly spend the evening together, they watch TV).
Rules for adding -ing ending to Present Continuous
Reference table for adding the -ing ending to form the Present Continuous.
During education Present Continuous Tense By general rule we add an ending to the verb -ing. However, there are a number of verbs that require a slight transformation when adding such an ending.
Let's consider basic rules for adding -ing ending for the formation of Present Continuous.
Rule #1
If the verb ends in -e, then this final vowel is omitted:
make - making, drive - driving
Rule #2
If a verb consists of 1 syllable and ends with 1 vowel and 1 consonant, then the consonant is doubled:
swim - swimming, stop - stopping
However, there is no need to double the consonant if the verb ends in -w or -x:
sew - sewing, fix - fixing
Rule #3
If a verb consists of two or more syllables and ends with a vowel followed by one consonant, then the consonant is doubled only if the last syllable is stressed:
put-put, regret - regretting
Rule #4
If the verb ends in -ie, That -ie changes to -y:
lie - lying, die - dying
What verbs cannot be used in the Present Continuous
Reference table: verbs that are not used with Continuous tenses
There are a number of verbs in English that cannot be used in the Present Continuous Tense. These verbs include the so-called State/Stative/Non-action Verbs(Russian verbs of state). However, there are exceptions with these verbs.
For example, the following verbs are not used in Continuous tenses because they themselves somehow denote some process:
- other verbs (fit, deserve, matter...)
English verbs related to perception (notice, hear, see, feel...)
verbs that convey emotions (love, hate, like...)
verbs that convey processes mental activity (know, understand, believe…)
verbs of possession (have, possess, belong...)
verbs of existence (be, exist, consist of...)
Verbs that cannot be used in the Continuous
| Meaning of verbs | Examples of verbs |
|---|---|
| verbs of existing or being | be, consist of, contain, exist |
| verbs of possessing | belong to, have (= own), include, lack, own, possess |
| verbs of feeling or wanting | adore, desire, despise, detest, dislike, envy, hate, like, love, need, pity, prefer, trust, want, wish |
| verbs of thinking or believing | believe, doubt, expect, feel (= think), forget, imagine, intend, know, realize, recognize, remember, see (= understand), suppose, think, understand |
| verbs of appearance | appear, resemble, seem |
| other verbs | concern, depend, deserve, fit, matter, measure, mean, mind, weigh |
For such verbs the tense is used Present Simple instead of Present Continuous. Compare:
- Wrong: Many people are believing in the existence of UFOs(Russians believe only now)
Right: Many people believe in the existence of UFOs(Russian. Many people believe in the existence of UFOs)
Sometimes, however, the same verb can have two meanings, and depending on the meaning, the verb can be used in the Present Continuous tense, for example:
- I’m still considering (= studying) all the pros and cons(Russian: I'm still learning the pros and cons)
I consider (=believe) her to be a very good student(Russian. I believe that she is a very good student)
In some cases, the change in the meaning of verbs is unimportant, and emotional coloring allows the use of a verb in the Continuous form:
Negative and interrogative sentences in the Present Continuous
Basic table for the formation of the affirmative form, negation, simple and special questions in the Present Continuous, short answers
Students learning English often believe that formation of negative and interrogative forms in the Present Continuous occurs more easily than in .
You, of course, remember that when forming negations and questions in the Present Simple, an auxiliary verb is added do or does, and the main verb is used without ending -(e)s. In contrast, the Present Continuous already has an auxiliary verb am/is/are even in the affirmative form, that is, you don’t have to think about which auxiliary verb to use.
This is why in some the Present Continuous is the first tense that students are introduced to.
Formation of the negative form Present Continuous
When forming negative sentences in the Present Progressive, it is important to remember how the auxiliary verb to be forms interrogative and negative forms in the present tense.
After all, it is the forms of the verb to be (am/is/are) are used to form questions and negations. The ending -ing in a semantic verb always remains unchanged.
Remember!
To form negative sentences in the Present Continuous to the auxiliary verb am/is/are a negative particle is added not, and the semantic verb always retains the ending -ing.
In order to make an affirmative sentence negative, you need to add the particle not after the auxiliary verb to be (am/is/are): I am not working(Russian: I don't work), He isn't working(Russian: It doesn't work), My brothers are not working(Russian. My brothers are not working now)
Examples of negative sentences in the Present Continuous
| Example sentences | Translation into Russian |
|---|---|
| I am not listening to you. | I'm not listening to you. |
| She is not watching TV now. | She doesn't watch TV now. |
| We are not talking about it at the moment. | We're not talking about this now. |
| Our guests are not dancing right now. | Our guests are not dancing at the moment. |
| Antonio is not driving to work, he is at home. | Antonio is not going to work now, he is at home. |
| Traffic is not moving because of the accident. | Traffic on the road was stopped due to an accident. |
In conversation, preference is always given to abbreviated forms, unless the speaker wishes to give emotional emphasis to the negative: I am not working = I'm not working, He is not working = He isn't working, They are not working = They aren't working
Questions and answers with the Present Continuous
Word order in interrogative sentences for the Present Continuous is no different from other tenses. Auxiliary am/is/are always comes before the subject, and the semantic verb has an ending -ing after the subject.
Remember!
To set general question in Present Continuous auxiliary verb am/is/are must come before the subject, and the semantic verb always retains the ending -ing.
In special questions, the question word comes first, followed by an auxiliary verb. am/is/are, followed by a subject and a semantic verb with the ending -ing.
Compare:
- Who are you watching it with?(Russian: Who are you watching it with?) special question with a question word Who (with)
Are you watching TV?(Russian: Do you watch TV?): a general question requiring a “yes” or “no” answer
What are you watching?(Russian: What are you watching?): special question with a question word what
What TV program are you watching?(Russian. What television program are you watching?) special question with interrogative phrase What TV program
Examples of interrogative sentences in the Present Continuous
As you can see, nothing complicated in the formation of interrogative and negative forms of Present Continuous cannot be if you know the copula verb conjugation well to be in present time.
Using the Present Continuous
Present Continuous is used to denote actions in the present that are non-permanent and temporary.
Before moving on to specific cases and rules for using the present continuous tense, let's pay attention to marker words that are often used with this particular tense.
Marker words for the Present Continuous the following:
now- Now,
at the moment- in this moment,
at present- currently
these days- during these days
nowadays- today, now, these days
still- still, still
today/tonight- today/tonight
Look!- Look!
Listen!- Listen!
Often marker words are omitted in English, especially if the context is clear to all participants in the conversation. But when translated into Russian, these words, on the contrary, have to be added or used an imperfect form of the verb to show that the action is happening now.
Present Continuous for the present
So, in what cases do we use Present Continuous Tense for the present tense? Let's look at the list below:
1. First of all, the Present Continuous is used to express action, happening now, at the moment (at the moment of speech):
2. We also use the Present Continuous when we are talking about an action that lasts not at a specific moment, but “around it”; it is, as it were, extended in time, i.e. action in progress. Perhaps it started yesterday or last week, continues in the present and will continue for some period of time during which we perform this action from time to time:
3. For a temporary effect that lasts certain limited period of time and we usually indicate it:
4. Present Continuous is also used for action indicating a long, constantly changing process. IN in this case verbs are used very often get- become, change- change, improve- improve, grow- grow, start- begin, rise- grow, etc.:
5. We know that “always” is a marker. However, it is important to mention that if we exaggerate the situation and express a note of indignation, indignation, irritation, then we use the Present Continuous with “always” to show that we do not like it:
Present Progressive is used for an action that indicates unusual, unusual human behavior, i.e. if we want to show that a person is doing something that is usually unusual for him. In this case we very often use the verb to be also in a long time:
To summarize: Present Continuous describes an action in progress at the moment of speech or characteristic of the present tense. The action can continue after, but it can also end at any moment, that is, it is temporary.
Present Continuous for the future
As mentioned earlier, the present continuous tense serves many functions, including we can use Present Continuous to express the future.
So, for example, we use it when we talk about plans, agreements that we definitely decided to implement in the near future
Examples of Present Continuous to indicate the future
As you noticed, in Russian we also use the present tense to show that an action in the future is predetermined and will definitely take place.
Present Continuous example sentences with translation
So, now we know when and in what cases it is necessary to use the Present Continuous tense. To make it easier to digest this information, let's look at a few more examples of sentences in the present continuous tense.
Use of Present Continuous Tense: examples with translation and meaning
| Sentence in English | Translation into Russian | Meaning of Present Continuous |
|---|---|---|
| I’m reading an interesting article right now. | I'm reading an interesting article now. | action at the moment of speech |
| They are always breaking their promises. | They always break their promises. | irritation with “always” |
| She is meeting a dentist tomorrow morning. | She is seeing the dentist tomorrow morning. | precise plans, agreements |
| Our team is working so hard this week. | Our team is working very hard this week. | an action that lasts for a limited period of time |
| Our world is changing. | The world is changing. | long, constantly changing process |
| What's happened? You are being so nervous today! | What's happened? You're so nervous today! | unusual human behavior |
Pay attention to one more example: I would like to remind you about stative verbs - verbs that are not used in the Continuous tense group:
Now we understand every word(Russian. Now we understand your every word): action at the moment of speech, but the verb understand is not used in the Continuous, therefore it is used in the Present Simple.
Present Continuous and other English tenses
There are 12 tenses in English: 4 for present actions, 4 for past and 4 for future. And they all have their own characteristics.
- Present (present)
- Past
- Future (future).
But each of them has 4 forms:
- Simple
- Continuous
- Perfect
- Perfect Continuous
It is thanks to such a detailed system that tenses in English describe each situation in more detail and make it clear to the interlocutor more information about every event. Knowing the differences between tenses and being able to use tenses in English correctly, you will be able to bring your speech closer to native speakers.
So, speaking about the Present Continuous, the question often arises: what is its difference from other present tenses. Let's figure this out.
Present Simple and Present Continuous
Comparative table of education of Present Simple and Present Continuous.
The most frequently asked question is about the differences and correct use of Present Simple and Present Continuous. The basic rule is the following:
- Present Continuous describes temporary, impermanent events that are happening now, at the time of conversation.
Describes actions that occur usually or are an immutable truth, that is, they are permanent.
We hope that our table will help you systematize your knowledge about the simple present and present continuous tenses and once and for all figure out when to use each of these tenses.
comparison table present usage Simple and Present Continuous
| Present Simple | Present Continuous |
|---|---|
| regular actions, daily routine, habits - regular action: - does this every day: marker words Present Simple: |
the action occurs at the moment of speech (right now): - action at the moment of speech: -right now: marker words Present Continuous: |
| permanent states and actions: From the context it is clear that this is an ordinary, habitual action or state. -permanent place of work: -Always: |
temporary state and actions: The action is limited to a certain period of time, it occurs only now (during this period), and usually not everything is wrong. -temporarily: -not always: marker words indicating temporary action: |
| Fine known facts, Nature laws, scientific facts:
-true: -fact: |
changing actions, actions in progress: -changing action: -process: |
| an action that always happens regularly, using always: My girlfriend always talks on the phone in the evenings. Jim always complains about his colleagues. |
to express emphasis, exaggeration and slight indignation, using always: My girlfriend is always talking on the phone! Jim is always complaining about his colleagues. |
| schedule of transport, days, concerts: -schedule: |
Plans and agreements for the future: -plans: |
Present Continuous and Present Perfect Continuous
Not everything is simple with these times either, although they are somewhat consonant in their names. But the word Perfect already says that the action began in the past, lasted for some period and has a result in the present.
Unlike the Simple Continuous, in the Present Perfect Continuous it is important not that the action is temporary and reflects the current process, but the process of performing it in the past and, as a consequence, its result in the present.
Compare:
- I've been trying to open the door. Bit it is still locked(Russian: I tried to open the door, but it is still closed): I tried in the recent past, I may still try, but I have a negative result, I’ve been trying -Present Perfect Continuous.
Wait, I'm trying to open the door(Russian: Wait, I'm trying to open the door): I'm trying now, in the process of opening the lock, I'm trying - Present Continuous.
Comparative table of the use of Present Simple and Present Perfect Continuous
| Present Continuous | Present Perfect Continuous |
|---|---|
| The action takes place in the present - the connection is only with it, there is no connection with the past and there is no indication of how long the action lasts: | The action began in the past and continues to this day - a connection between the past and the present, perhaps an indication of how long the action lasts: |
| Hurry up! We're waiting for you. (Russian: Hurry up! We are waiting for you. = We are waiting right now) |
We've been waiting for 2 hours. (Russian: We have been waiting for 2 hours already. = we started waiting for 2 hours and are still waiting) |
| Don't disturb her! She is learning English. (Russian. Don’t bother her. She’s studying English. = she’s studying right now) |
She speaks English pretty nice. She has been learning English for 2 years. (Russian. She speaks English quite well. She has been studying English for 2 years. = for 2 years already) |
Instead of a conclusion
So we've sorted it out Present Continuous time- present continuous tense. During the lessons, you can reinforce all the rules that you just read about in communication with the teacher.
And to consolidate the acquired knowledge now, we suggest you perform several exercises.
Present Continuous exercises
Everyone knows that any new theoretical knowledge requires consolidation in practice. Below are several exercises on the Present Continuous, as well as comparisons between the Present Continuous and the Present Simple and the Present Continuous with the Present Perfect Continuous, so be careful when doing them. :)
Exercise 1: Open the brackets using Present Simple or Present Continuous:
- She (to try) to lose weight, I (to think). She always (to have) light lunches.
Her brother (not to read) a book at the moment. He (to sleep) because he (to be) exhausted.
Lisa (not to cook) dinner at the moment. She (to talk) to a friend.
I (not to play) games now. I (to do) my English homework.
He (not to drink) tea in the evenings. He (to drink) tea in the mornings.
Look! The baby (to sleep). The baby always (to sleep) after dinner.
I usually (to go) to work at seven o"clock every morning.
Who (to make) lunch for your children now?
You (to read) a magazine and (to think) about your holiday at the moment?
They (to be) good singers but they (not to go) to karaoke bars very often.
What do you (to talk) about right now?
You (to keep) to any special diet? - Well, I (not to think) it (to be) good to eat a lot of meat. I usually (to have) meat only once a week. I (to eat) lots of fruit and vegetables.
He (to learn) English now because he (to want) to get a better job.
Listen to those people! You (to understand) what language they (to speak)?
Your English (to get) better? - Yes, I (to think) so.
Exercise 2: Open the brackets using Present Continuous or Present Perfect Continuous:
- Sarah is very tired. She_ __ (work) very hard recently.
Linda_ __ (learn) German for four years.
Hello Bill. I_ __ (look) for you all morning. Where have you been?
Why_ __ (you/look) at me like that? Stop it!
Julia is a doctor. She_ ____ (work) in this hospital for three years.
I_ ____ (think) about what you said and I"ve decided to take your advice.
"Is Melissa on holiday this week?" "No, she_ ____ (work).
Exercise 3: Translate into English:
- Here we go again! She always sings in her soul!
We go to Italy every summer.
What do you do on the weekends?
Let's stay at home - it's raining outside.
You always talk about your problems! I'm tired of this!
I think they are wrong.
Can you speak louder? I can not hear you!
You don't look very good. How do you feel?
What are you doing? – I'm thinking about our trip to Greece.
Where are you going? - I need to go to the bank.
I'm going to the store, do you want anything?
Do you like it there? – Yes, I have a great time with my friends.
This dress doesn't fit my size.
I don't like autumn! It rains constantly and the days get shorter and shorter.
The book consists of five chapters. I'm reading the third one now.
Looks like it's starting to rain...
Do you see this? This is incredible, I can't believe my eyes!
Lisa is very tired. She's working so hard this week.
The weather is great! The sun is shining brightly and the birds are singing in the trees. We need to go outside now.
Here it is so beautiful! I love walking through this park! I feel so happy!
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