Use of present continuous tense. The Present Continuous Tense

🔊 The Present Continuous Tense(present continuous tense in English language) is a tense form of a verb that is used to express an action occurring at the moment of conversation in the present.

Time Present Continuous in English it is formed according to the following model:

am/is/are + participle I (initial form Ch. + ending -ing)

Summary table of Present Continuous education

Using the Present Continuous

The present continuous tense in English is characterized by the presence of the following marker words:

• circumstances of time with which it is used:
  • 🔊 now(Now);
  • 🔊Look!(Take a look!);
  • 🔊Listen!(Listen!);
  • 🔊at the moment(for now);
  • 🔊 this week(this week);
  • 🔊 this time(at that time);
• in emotionally charged sentences:
  • 🔊always(Always);
  • 🔊 constantly(constantly);
  • 🔊 continually(continuously);
  • 🔊 forever(Always);
  • 🔊 repeatedly(repeatedly).

Using the present continuous tense in English:

• designation of the process occurring at the moment of speaking. This is the action that can be seen:
  🔊 I am reading the book. - I I'm reading book.
• designation of a process that occurs in the present period of time, but not precisely at the moment of speaking, to designate something impermanent:
  🔊 He is laerning to play volley-ball. - He studies play volleyball.
• designation of a changing or developing situation:
  🔊 Our world is changing. - Our world is changing.
• description of behavior that is not typical for this person:
  🔊 You are being very naughty. - You are being very naughty.
• emotional description of situations that happen too often, from the speaker's point of view. In this case, marker words are used always, constantly, repeatedly:
  🔊 You are always losing your keys! - You you constantly lose your keys!
• a description of planned future actions, especially when the time and place of these events are specified:
  🔊 I am meeting my teacher at 5. - I dating with my teacher at 5.
• physical sensations can be expressed in tenses Present Simple or Present Continuous without much difference in meaning:
  🔊 My leg aches. / 🔊 My leg is aching. - My leg hurts.

Features of using the Present Continuous in English

There are verbs that are not used in the Continuous tense, since they denote not so much an action as a state (see table below).

*Note. The verb is also used in a number of phrases that denote process rather than possession. In such cases, this verb is used in the Present Continuous tense:

• 🔊 I have a mobile phone. — I have a mobile phone (possession);
• 🔊 I am having breakfast. — I’m having breakfast (process);
• 🔊 I am having an English lesson. — I’m sitting in an English lesson (process);
• 🔊 I am having a meeting. — I’m sitting at a meeting (process).

Using the design to be going to

Design to going to used to express an action that will inevitably be performed in the future. In this case, the speaker sees or knows evidence that this action will be performed.

Continuous Tenses, "to continue"- continue, last. The very name of this group of tenses indicates that their main grammatical meaning is duration, the process of action.

Band Times Continuous also called Progressive Tenses , and in Russian they are called continuous or long time. Verb used in the form Continuous means that the action is in some way certain moment is happening. This point may be clear from the context or is often indicated by additional words - an exact indication of the time (hour), another action, etc. somehow concretizing this moment. Depending on the duration of the action, they are distinguished:

Present Continuous- present continuous (present continuous),

Past Continuous- past continuous (past continuous),

Future Continuous- future continuous (future continuous).

Scene 1 discusses examples of the use of tense The Present Continuous Tense.
Scene 5 contains examples of the use The Past Continuous Tense.
In scene 29 comparison in the use of tenses Future And Future Continuous.

Continuous Tense formed by an auxiliary verb "to be" and the fourth main form of the verb (present participle - Present Participle). The only part of the predicate that can be modified is the auxiliary verb. "to be".

Conventions used in the table:

Ving- The fourth form of the verb. Present participle ( Present Participle or Participle I) and gerund ( Gerund).

to be + Ving- “to be a doer”

In order to better understand the grammatical essence of continuous tenses, let's use the literal translation of each component:

I am working
I am working
I am working

Not working
He is working
It works

We are working
We are working
We are working

She was working
She was working
She worked

They were working
They were working
They worked

I shall be working
I'll be working
I will work

You will be working
You will be working
You will work

From these examples it is clear that the second component of continuous tenses - the present participle - gives the entire verb a sign of duration of action. It is on the basis of the duration of action that these times are contrasted to the times of the group Indefinite. Latest used to express ordinary, repeatedly repeated actions. Compare:

Where is Ivanov?
Where is Ivanov?

Not is working in his study now.
He is now working in his office.

Ivanov usually works in his study.
Ivanov usually works in his office.

Forms in Russian Continuous translated by verbs of the imperfect form of the present, past or future tense (according to the tense of the auxiliary verb).

The interrogative and negative forms of continuous tenses are formed according to the rule of the verb "to be":

I am working.
Am I working?

He was working.
Was he working?

He was not working.

Verbs that do not represent action as a process are not used in the form Continuous.

The main ones are: to accept, to belong, to contain, to consist, to depend on, to deserve, to hope, to hear, to know, to like, to mind, to please, to possess, to prefer, to resemble, to recognize, to result, to see, to understand:

I understand what you are saying.
I understand what you are saying.

I see your drawing and I like it.
I see your drawing and I like it.

Present is translated as “present” and tells us that the action is being performed at the moment. Continuous is translated as “long/long” and indicates that the action began some time ago and is still ongoing.

Present Continuous is a long time. We use it when we want to say that something is in progress. For example, I am swimming, that is, I am in the process of swimming. Present Simple simply shows the fact of one or another action without a process. Let's look at examples.

1. Present Simple

I drive a car.
I drive a car.

2. Present Continuous

I am driving a car.
I'm driving.

In Russian, these two sentences are translated almost identically, n But in English they express completely different meanings:

1) the simple fact that I know how to drive a car: I have a license and I can drive it.

2) I'm driving: I've been driving a car for some time now and now I'm still driving the car, that is, I'm in the process of driving.

Now let's take a closer look at the exact cases in which we use Present Continuous.

Using Present Continuous Tense

The simple continuous tense is used in several cases.

1. When we talk about an action that is happening now (at the moment).

That is, the action began some time ago and is now still ongoing (in process).
Example: “She is dancing” - she is in the process of dancing; “Children play with toys” - they are in the process of playing.

2. An action that is currently being performed, but not necessarily at the moment.

By this we emphasize the process of its duration.
Example: “He is studying at the university” - he is in the process of studying; “She's working on a big project” - she's in the process of working on a project.

Affirmative sentences in Present Continuous Tense

An affirmative sentence is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the present tense (am, are, is) and the ending -ing, which is added to the verb denoting action.

The one about whom we're talking about+ am/are/is + verb + -ing.

For example

They are watch ing TV.
They are watching TV.

I am drink ing tea
I'm drinking tea.

He is smoke ing now.
He smokes now.

Rules for adding the ending -ing

There are several things to consider when adding -ing endings to verbs.

• If the verb ends in -e, then the letter e we remove and add to the verb -ing:

danc e- danc ing- dance;
mov e-mov ing-; move.

• If the verb is short, we double the last consonant:

si t- si ting- sit;
ba n-ba nning- forbid.

Exceptions: verbs ending in -x And - w:

mi x- mi xing- to mix;
flo w-flo wing- leak.

• If the verb ends in -ie, then we replace this ending with -y:

l ie- l ying- lie;
t ie-t ying- bind.

Words indicating time

The following words can help us determine that this is the Present Continuous:

• now - now;
• at the moment - at the moment.

Let's look at examples.

They are running now.
They are running now.

I am eating now.
I am eating now.

We are working at the moment.
We are working at the moment.

She is having a break at the moment.
She's on a break at the moment.

Verbs not used in Present Continuous Tense

Some English verbs are never used at this time.

1. Verbs expressing feelings

The Present Continuous does not use verbs that are associated with the senses (sight, hearing, touch, etc.).

• hear - to hear,
• smell - smell,
• feel - feel, etc.

2. Verbs expressing mental state

• forget - forget,
• know - to know
• understand - to understand, etc.

3. Verbs expressing emotions and desires

• love - to love,
• want - want,
• like - like, etc.

4. Verbs expressing possession of something

• have - to have,
• possess - to possess, etc.

Why aren't these verbs used in the Present Continuous?

As we have already seen, this tense is used to emphasize that the action is in progress: we started doing it some time ago, we are doing it now, but after some time we will finish doing it.

To be used in our continuous tense, a verb must be able to last. For example: to cook - you started cooking, you are cooking now, after some time you will finish.

Returning to our exception verbs. We cannot start smelling or hearing and end this process after some time. This is what we do all the time. We are talking about the fact that we can smell and hear. Likewise, forgetting, understanding, or emotions cannot be processes, because otherwise it turns out that these processes began once, are now continuing, and will end someday.

Negative form in Present Continuous Tense

Negation is constructed as an affirmative sentence, only the negative particle not is added to our verb to be.

The one in question + am/are/is + not + verb + -ing.

Examples

We are not do ing our homework now.
We don't do homework now.

She is not driv ing at the moment.
She is not driving at the moment.

I am not listen ing music now.
I don't listen to music now.

Question form in Present Continuous Tense

To ask if someone is doing something right now, we put the verb to be first.

Am/are/is + the one in question + verb + -ing?

Statement

I am read ing the book.
I am reading a book.

You are swimm ing in a pool.
You are swimming in the pool.

She is clean ing her room now.
She is cleaning the room now.

The question and a positive answer (our “yes”) will look like this:

Negative answers (our “no”) will look like this:

Examples

Are are they playing tennis?
They are playing tennis?

Yes, they are.
Yes, they are playing.

Are are they playing tennis?
They are playing tennis?

No, they are not.
No, they don't play.

Is he sleepingnow?
He is sleeping now?

Yes, he is sleeping now.
Yes, he's sleeping now.

Is he sleeping now?
He is sleeping now?

No, he is not sleeping now.
No, he's not sleeping now.

Special questions in Present Continuous Tense

When we ask a question with the following question words:

• what - what;
• where - where;
• who - who;
• which - which one;
• why - why.

These words are placed first in the sentence, and the further order of words will be the same as in a regular question. The scheme is like this:

Question word + am/are/is + the person in question + verb + -ing?

Present Progressive (Present Continuous) tense- present continuous tense. In most cases, this tense 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 can mean that I am playing now or that I am playing at all (I know how to play). In English it is two different offers. However, we also use some verbs differently in different situations.

IN in general terms: if we want to say that the 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 appropriate form for the subject (we change it in accordance with the subject - I am, he is, my mother is and so on) and add the corresponding verb 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, when adding ing nothing will be discarded, that is, we get - thinking. If we want to say “I am thinking” (about something at the moment), then we will succeed - I am thinking. Now with other people:

Negative and interrogative forms are formed very simply. Here's a visual table:

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 diagram is not yet entirely clear to us, but it will be useful in order to quickly recall the main cases present usage 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.- Now I'm sitting.
• 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 broad 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'm studying to be a teacher (for example 5 years).
• Are you working on any special projects at work? - You (Now) Are you working on any project for work?
• 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'm 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, irritating actions, usage habits always, constantly, forever:

• I don’t like him because he is always complaining. - I don’t like him because he complains all the time.

• They're forever being late. - They are always late.

• My sister is always losing her keys. - My sister constantly loses 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. Change of situation (usually slow) - little by little, gradually etc.

• My son is getting better at playing the guitar. - My son is progressing in playing the guitar (playing better and better).

• The weather is improving . — The weather is getting better.

These were all the rules for the formation and use of the present continuous (the present progressive).

Continuous is formed from a verb to continue- continue. Present continuous/progressive – present tense for present activity. It is formed as a personal form be+ present participle. Negative forms of the present continuous - amnot / ‘ mnot, isnot / isn'tt, arenot / aren'tt before communion.

I’m working – I’m working

Writing

To attach an ending –ing

- verbs with consonant + — e discard the last vowel (except being)

starve – starving

carve - carving

- verbs with a stressed vowel + consonant double the last consonant

rub – rubbing

stop – stopping

- verbs in — ie change it to – y-

lie – lying

die -dying

- vowel verbs + — l double the last consonant (in British English)

travel – travelling

cancel - cancelling

Present-continuous meanings

• ongoing actions

He'sdoinghishomework – He does his homework

She’s giving the baby a bath right now – Nowshebatheschild

• temporary actions (current period)

I’m looking for a new job these days – Ilooking fornewwork

She’s doing a course in engineering – Shepasseswellengineer

The decorator’s painting the children’s bedrooms this week so they’re sleeping in the living-room – Decoratorcolorschildren's, That's whychildrensleepingVliving room

• annoying actions (with always/constantly/continuously/all the time)

I’m always meeting Sara when I go shopping – IAlwaysI come acrossonSarahVstores

You’re constantly interrupting me when I’m talking – ForeverYoumeinterrupt, WhenII say

• changes (situations in development)

Venice isfallingintothesea ​​– Venice plunges into the sea

More and more species are becoming extinct - Going extinctAllmoreAndmorebiospecies

The number of cars on roads is increasing rapidly each year – Annuallyonroadsrapidlygrowingnumbercars

• emotional desires

I'mdyingforacupofcoffee – I really want a cup of coffee

I'mlovingit! – How I adore it!

• short-term plans (with specific time/place)

He'sflyingbackonSaturday – He flies back on Saturday

We'redrivinguptoScotland nextweek – Next week we are driving to Scotland

They’re moving into their new house next week – Througha weekTheyare movingVnewhouse

Really- long-termfuture

In the latter (future) meaning, the present continuous tense denotes personal preparations for social activities. The scheduled time must be stated or implied. In this informal meaning the subject is animate.

I’m meeting Charlotte for lunch tomorrow – TomorrowII'm having lunchWithCharlotte

Going to

Present-long future close to turnover (be)goingto (going to) for intention/prediction.

I'mgoingtoBobtomorrow – Tomorrow I’m going to Bob’s

It’s going to be dark in half an hour – JudgingByeverything, throughhalf an hourit will get dark

Going to does not accept verbs of motion like to go/come/visit/move.

We’re going to the movies tonight – In the eveningWelet's goVmovie

Reduced-conversational contraction goingto— gonna.

What'reyougonnadowhentheycomeforyou? - What will you do when they come for you?

Temporary instruction

The present continuous tense is characterized by adverbs/adverbial phrases like

(right) now, at the/this moment, at present, these days, this week/month, still, nowadays, today, tonight

English Joke

The old trapper was chased by a grizzly. When he had thrown away everything he carried, and found, nevertheless, that the bear was gaining rapidly, he determined to make a stand. As he came into a small clearing, he faced about with his back to a stump, and got out and opened his clasp-knife. The bear halted a rod away, and sat on its haunches, surveying its victim gloatingly. The trapper, though not usually given to praying, now improved the interval to offer a petition.

"O God," he said aloud, with his eyes on the bear, "if you're on my side, let my knife git 'im quick in 'is vitals, an' if you're on 'is side, let' im finish me fust off. But, O God, if you’re nootral, you jist sit thar on that stump, an’ you’ll see the darndest bear fight you ever hearn tell on!”