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
in present, the continuum has a certain peculiarity: in the first place is the 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: the Present Continuous rule 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, to see, has no right to be in the 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.
Present progressive or present progressive (present continuous) is the designation of the present continuous tense in English. The article will provide the grammatical basis for using this tense in the affirmative, negative and interrogative forms of sentences. After each definition and at the end of the article, examples with translation will be given for reinforcement.
Basic rules of use
So, what are the rules of the present progressive and how to use it? As stated, it is used for present actions that are in process: right now, in the near future, or in the current period.
The scheme of a sentence with an affirmative form of a given tense consists of a pronoun with an auxiliary part denoting the present tense (to be) + a connective verb with the ending -ing.
For the present tense, the connective to be has three forms. It depends on which person is telling the story and their number:
- I am
- He|She|It. He|She|It is
- You|They|We. You|We|They are
The ending -ing must be added to the verb form:
- Read. Read - Reading
- Look. Watch - Watching
- Swim. Swim - Swimming
Thus, if you speak for yourself, you must use the auxiliary verb am: I am reading. I am reading or: I am doing. I am doing.
When is the present continuous tense used in English?
In English there are several variations when using the present progressive. Here are four directions:
- The present continuous tense indicates the process occurring at the moment of speech: I am watching a film. I am watching a movie. This distinguishes it from the descriptive tense, which is used for actions that occur periodically or continuously: Every year I watch this film at Christmas. Every year I watch this movie in Christmas.
- Also, a progressive present describes some temporary phenomenon that may not be happening right now, but is relevant in the current period. For example: I am preparing for the exam. I'm preparing for the exam. Here the action is indicated not in a given minute/second, but in the current segment and for a certain period (before passing the exam).
- Another example is a progressive present: for some action that is planned in the near future. For example: We are leaving on Friday. We're leaving this Friday. Please note that the day of the week in this sentence is preceded by the preposition on. In any other sentences in English, this preposition is placed before the day of the week.
- And the next case is when they use a long time - to describe actions or phenomena in which something is expressed in a negative way. For this purpose, adverbs are usually used, which can be translated into Russian as “constantly” or “eternally”, this is always/constantly. For example: She always loses her mobile phone. She is always losing her cellphone.
Verbs that are not used in the Present Progressive
Are there cases when the verb is not used? As a rule, the present progressive is not used with static verbs that denote a certain state - static verbs. These include words that describe processes in relation to sensory, mental perception or attitude. They mean some activity that occurs in the mind, and a person does not have the opportunity to observe them.
Such verbs include the following: feel - to feel, think - to think, love - to love, need - to need, to mean - to imply, have in mind, and others. As you can see, these words denote some kind of thinking or feeling. Due to the fact that in Progressive a certain duration of actions is indicated, these verbs are not used.
Using the present progressive in negative forms
To construct a sentence with negation, you need to add the particle not to the auxiliary verb.
For example:
- I'm not translating the article right now. I am not translating the article now.
- He doesn't swim now. He is not swimming now.
- They don't watch TV now. They are not watching TV now.
In spoken English, abbreviated forms with personal pronouns are actively used. Instead of missing letters, an apostrophe (") is inserted. Abbreviated forms are more applicable for oral speech, however, they are often used in writing: in newspapers, messages, advertising signs.
For example:
- No, I don't drive a car now. No, I"m not driving a car now.
- She doesn't try to learn the poem. She isn't trying to learn a poem.
- They are not skating now. They aren't skating now.
Use in a question sentence
To construct an interrogative sentence, you need to move the auxiliary verb before the subject answering the question: who? What?
For example:
- Am I reading Lermontov's poem now? Am I reading a poem of Lermontov now?
- Is she going to the museum? Is she going to the museum?
- Are they working in the garden now? Are they working in the garden now?
Offers with present progressive
So, for greater understanding, we present several phrases with the affirmative, negative and interrogative forms of the present continuous tense in English with translation:
- Look! It is snowing. Look! It is snowing now.
- Ira is writing a letter now. Ira is writing a letter now.
- Cold. The wind is getting stronger. It is cold. Wind is getting stronger.
- Where are you going? - I'm going to go to the department store. Where are you going? - I am going to the emporium.
- She is preparing panna cotta. She is cooking panna cotta.
- What is he doing? - He is working on a report. What is he doing? - He is working on the report.
- The teachers enjoy this evening. Teachers are enjoying the evening.
- He talks constantly in meetings. He is constantly chattering on meetings.
- What are you doing? - I'm watching a morning television show. What are you doing? - I am watching morning TV show.
- They are playing chess now. They are playing chess now.
Conclusion
The present continuous tense is very often used in English: in oral and written speech, in literature. Based on the very name of time, one can already understand that it describes an action in a progressive state. The present progressive in English grammar indicates a process that continues in the present. However, there are a number of verbs that are not used in the Progressive tense - these are verbs of sensory perception and mental activity.
Present Continuous- present continuous tense of English. Used to indicate a process that is happening right now. Below are the rules and formula for forming the Present Continuous tense in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences, auxiliary words and examples of using tense.
Education Present Continuous
In an affirmative sentence, the Present Continuous is formed by adding the auxiliary verb am / is / are (one of the forms of the verb to be) and adding an ing ending (-ing) to the verb in the first form.
It should be remembered that:
1) the auxiliary verb am is used with the 1st person singular (I); it can merge with the pronoun to form I’m.
2) the auxiliary verb is is used with the 3rd person singular (he / she / it)
3) the auxiliary verb are is used with the 2nd person singular, 1st and 3rd person plural (you, we, they)
Present Continuous formation formula:
Noun + am / is / are + verb in 1st form with the ending -ing added to it
Examples of affirmative sentences:
I am playing football right now. — I'm playing football now.
Sally is doing her homework at the moment. — Sally (she) is doing her homework now.
They are fishing now. - They are fishing now.
A negative sentence in the Present Continuous is formed by adding not to the auxiliary verb am / is / are, and verbs in the ing ending (-ing). Formula:
Noun + am / is / are + not + verb in 1st form with the ending -ing added to it
The auxiliary verb and the particle not can merge at the request of the one who writes or speaks. Examples of using negative sentences in the Present Continuous:
I'm not watching TV at the moment. — I don't watch TV now.
He is not working on his project right now. — He is not working on his project now
They are not going to the school now. — They don’t go to school now.
To form an interrogative sentence in the Present Continuous, the auxiliary verb must be placed at the beginning of the sentence. rule:
AM / is / are + noun + verb in 1st form with the ending -ing added to it
Examples of interrogative sentences:
Are you doing your homework? - You are doing your homework?
Is she walking on the street right now? — Is she walking outside now?
Are they playing in the club at the moment? — Are they playing in the club now?
Auxiliary words Present Continuous
Typically, when the Present Continuous tense is used, the following marker words are used:
Cases, V which usedPresent Continuous
It is not enough to know the rules of tense formation; you need to know where it is appropriate to use the Present Continuous. Below are examples of using the present continuous tense in everyday life.
Use case I: the action is happening now
Most often, the Present Continuous is used to describe an action that is not happening right at this moment in time. In this case, auxiliary words are also often used - right now, now, at the moment and others. examples:
You are learning English now. — You are learning English now.
They are not watching television. — They are not watching TV (at the moment).
Are you sleeping? — You are sleeping (at the moment).
Use case II: long-term actions in the present tense
Longer Actions in Progress Now
The word now in English can also have a figurative meaning: this week, this month, etc., as in Ukrainian. Therefore, the Present Continuous can be used to denote long-term actions that have already been taking place for some period and have not yet been completed. examples:
I am studying to become a doctor. — I'm studying to become a doctor.
I am not studying to become a dentist. — I’m not studying to be a dentist.
Are you working on any special projects at work? —Are you working on some project at work?
Use case III: near future
Sometimes the Present Continuous is used to denote agreements or actions that may or may not take place in the near future. In this case, it is necessary to indicate the time of the event. examples:
I am meeting some friends after work. — I meet with friends after work.
I am not going to the party tonight. — I'm not going to today's party.
Is he visiting his parents next weekend? — Or will he visit his parents next week?
IV use case: repeating actions that have a negative connotation
Repetition and Irritation
Like the Past Continuous, the Present Continuous can be used by the interlocutor in cases where he wants to express his negative attitude towards those repeating in the present tense. In this case, it is typical to use the words always and constantly between the auxiliary verb and the verb with an ing (-ing) ending. examples:
She is always coming to class late. — She is always late.
He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up. — He talks constantly. I wish he would shut up.
I do not like them because they are always complaining. — I don’t like them because they constantly complain.
Hello my wonderful readers.
Didn't you know that I absolutely love grammar? Yes, for some it seems like a complete nightmare, but I love analyzing every new rule, every new phenomenon. And of course, I dream that everyone knows her, if not perfectly, then at least well. Therefore, today we will study in more detail my favorite topic - "Rules Present Continuous". We will learn in detail when it is used, how this time is formed, and also see dozens of examples.
Well, are you ready?
What is it and when is it used?
- I hope you remember that in English we have as many as 16 tenses, as opposed to only 3 in Russian. So, to describe those events that are happening right now, at this moment in time, we use Present Continuous.
Let's look at examples:
I am reading- I'm reading (right now).
My mother is cooking a dinner.- Mom is preparing dinner.
Bethany is cleaning the house.- Bethany cleans the house.
In all these cases, the action is happening right now! The most important thing for children who are just starting to learn grammar is to understand this particular rule. This is the basics that will be easy to handle at first.
- But then it will be more difficult, because the use of the Present Continuous is not limited only to this rule. In English there is such a concept - future arrangements- planned future actions. This is, for example, when you say that you are going to the doctor tomorrow, or your father has a planned interview. Surprisingly, in English they are also used in this tense.
I am going to my doctor tomorrow.- Tomorrow I'm going to see my doctor.
I am visiting grandmother this weekend.- This weekend I am visiting my grandmother.
She is having a very important meeting tomorrow. - Tomorrow she has a very important meeting.
- It is not uncommon to see this tense used to describe actions that do not occur specifically at a given moment, but are temporary in general. Let's figure it out:
Tom is studying hard this month. He is having an exam next week. -Tom is studying hard. He has an exam next week.
“Doing” in this context does not mean doing something right now. The time period of the action covers a whole month, but it is very important for us to show that this was a direct process.
Mary is working late for the last couple of weeks. She is having a project presentation next month.-Maria has been working late for the past few weeks. She has a project presentation next month.
- Very often Present Continuous used with adverb always-always to express your irritation about something.
You are always leaving your cup on the table.- You always leave the cup on the table.
She is always making things worse. - She always makes things worse.
- Moreover, this time is often used when you need to describe a changing situation. For example:
The cities are becoming bigger and bigger.- Cities are getting bigger and bigger.
The climate is getting warmer.- The climate is getting warmer.
Important information about verbs!
It is very important to remember that there is table of verbs that cannot be used in the Present Continuous tense. These are verbs such as:
like, dislike, hate, own, feel, taste, smell, enjoy, prefer, understand, realize, include, contain, cost, appear, mean.
When, according to the meaning of the sentence, we need to put them in a long time, we still use Present Simple. Let's see examples:
I don’t believe a word he is saying.- I don't believe a single word he says.
Not: I am not believing a word he is saying.
I see a plane in the sky.- I see a plane in the sky.
Not:I am seeing a plane in the sky
But there are also some nuances here. And I dedicated a separate article to them. This is the English language - all in nuances
Education rules
The general rule for the formation of time can be stated as follows:
- Subject + auxiliary verb to be + verb ending -ing (V-ing) + object.
She (subject) is (auxiliary) baking (verb) a cake (object) . - It's preparing a pie.
He is repairing a car. - He is fixing the car.
They are swimming in the sea. - They swim in the sea.
In the negative form, a particle is added to the auxiliary verb not. – note that often, especially in colloquial speech, it is shortened, merging with the verb “to be”.
- Subject + auxiliary verb to be + not + verb ending -ing (V-ing) + object.
She isn’t (is not) studying for the exam. She's having a break. - She is not preparing for the exam. She's on a break.
He isn’t (is not) painting the door as the paint has finished.- He doesn’t paint the door because he’s run out of paint.
They aren't (are not) driving home. They are going to the lake.- They're not going home. They are going to the lake.
To make an interrogative sentence, you simply swap the auxiliary verb and the subject of the action.
- Auxiliary verb to be + subject + verb ending -ing (V-ing) + object?
Is he reading a book?- He is reading a book?
Are they building a house on the tree?-Are they building a tree house?
Is she looking at that boy?- Is she looking at that boy?
And finally...
Remember, my dears, that the best thing you can do when learning English is exercise. Without practice chances Learning a language for any person is minimal. Right now you can practice the new rule in or on my website. And in what I recommended, you will find even more useful tasks. For a complete overview of English tenses, you can always refer to this table and to
I hope, my dears, that the topic Tenses-times you liked it as much as I did. I am absolutely sure that you will soon fall in love with them, because there is nothing complicated here. And I will share new materials with you. Stay tuned for my blog updates. And if you really can’t wait, subscribe to my newsletter and find out about everything instantly.
Present Continuous - present long-term tense of English verbs, which can also be called Present Progressive. A very common form of the verb, it has no analogue in Russian, but is not particularly difficult to understand.
Present Continuous, as a separate time, is not indicated in Russian, so at first it causes some confusion, however, you usually quickly get used to it, especially after several dozen exercises (see at the end of the article).
First, a small digression from the topic to talk about the grammar textbook with which we will now study the present continuum. This textbook is considered the best of all time: "English Grammar in Use" Murphy. Anyone who has ever held this book in their hands understands this perfectly. The textbook was already so well and conveniently structured that I immediately wanted to study English grammar. Now it has been released in its fourth edition, it has become even better, it is also now available online, it is much more convenient, since it is voiced.
There are also video lessons, one of which, on the topic of present continuum, we will now watch. Then you can follow the link at the end of the video and try studying the textbook online - there is a free trial period. Everything is very clear and convenient.
By the way, a special free application has been published for tablets and smartphones. So you can learn English grammar anytime and anywhere. Learn from the best materials, you are wasting your precious time, you need to spend it efficiently.
Rules for using Present continuus
Present continuous tense present continuos (Present Continuos) in Anna’s explanation in English (in Russian, see Sentences (examples)):
Formation table Present Continuous
In order to understand new material well, we sometimes need to get explanations from different people. In addition, we are all so different that everyone generally needs to find their own personal best explanation.So watch another lesson Irina Shipilova- this young girl has amazing energy, such infectious lessons, I think that she is the one who will best explain the Present Continuous to someone.
Suggestions (examples) of using Present Continuous
1. The action is happening right now at the time of conversation, it is not finished (activity in progress).
Don't interrupt me. I'm working.
Why aren't you working?
Alice is writing a book.
We are going for a walk.
He is not drinking.
I'm stressing about my test.
She is texting a message.2. Temporary activity
We are living in a hotel until we can find a house to buy.
You are being very silly today. Usually you are so sensitive.3. Possibly incomplete activity.
Sometimes the present continuum is used if no action occurs at the moment of conversation, but it is implied that it occurs in principle. This is well explained by the example with a book: you started reading a book, now you’re not specifically reading it, but since you haven’t finished it yet, you will continue reading it, so feel free to say
I'm reading the book.
We are building the house.
They are studying languages.4. Present Continuous is used with words like: today, this week, this year:
You are working hard today/ this week/ this year
Exceptions.
There are four groups of stative verbs that are rarely used in the present continuum because they have the idea of permanence and completeness.
- These are state of mind verbs: believe, think, assume, consider, understand, suppose, expect, agree, know, remember, forget
- Verbs of emotions: like, love, detest, envy, hate, hope, prefer, wish, want
- Verbs of belonging and being: belong, own, depend, contain, cost, seem, apper, need, have
- Verbs of feelings: see, hear, taste, smell
However, if these verbs express activity rather than state, they can be used in the present continuum, for example:
I’m seeing Polly this afternoon (“see” means “meet”)
I’m tasting the pasta to see if it needs more salt (express an activity)
She is expecting a baby (she is pregnant)And if you want to explain Present Continuous to your kids, show them this funny cartoon, and at the same time practice yourself, there are many examples of use here
As a gift for the material studied
with the use of Present Continuous for you. Well, below are the exercises - check how much you know the material.
Comprehension exercises (tests)
1. Present continuum (elementary level) 10 questions
Choose the correct answer
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