The tense is present progressive. Present Continuous (Progressive)

Once again we will talk about grammar, but today we will look at the theory with a more practical focus. The topic of the lesson is the aspect of the present continuous tense and everything connected with it: laws of formation, situations of use and, of course, present continuous examples. These are the ones that will be the focus of today’s material. Immersion in practice is the most effective way to practice theory until it becomes automatic. Let us analyze each type of sentence in detail, emphasizing the features of its construction.

The present continuous tense in English is used to indicate actions and events that are happening right now or in a strictly limited period of time. Let's look at the rules and find out how to compose sentences in the present continuous with different semantic connotations.

Statements

The predicates present continuous tense are complex two-element constructions in which the first part is expressed by the verb to be, and the second by the present participle, i.e. ing verb form. Wherein tobe also varies according to numbers and persons. A generalized scheme of a positive statement, i.e. when it comes to the execution of an action, it looks like this.

Jack (1) is (2) riding (3) this horse (4) – Jackridesonthishorses.

To successfully use the present continuus aspect, you must confidently navigate the forms to be and be able to form ing verbs. Both topics are covered in detail on our website, so if you are not confident in your knowledge, we recommend that you first familiarize yourself with the functions and forms of to be, as well as the laws of adding –ing endings.

And now we will work on the formation of affirmative constructions of the present continuous by looking at examples of 10 sentences with translation. All expressions are taken from everyday English speech.

Callbacklater, Jessica is taking ashowernow– Call back later, Jessica now accepts shower.
Iknowyou are smiling rightnow- I know that right now you smiling .
The sun is shining brightly today –TodayVerybrightshines Sun.
Right now we are learning present continuous tense in English –DirectlyNowWestudying the present long-term time V English language.
While I am cleaning the room, my brother is washing our car –ByeII'm cleaning Vroom,myBrotherwashes ourcar.
My pants are still drying on the clothesline –MytrousersAllmoredry onlinenrope.
He is currently looking for apartment to rent–HeHowonceVthemomentlooking for removableapartment.
I am preparing a report at the moment –INrealmomentIpreparing report.
2017 is coming to an end – 2017yearfits Toend.
They are leaving at 2 o'clock -Theyare leaving Vtwo hours.

Please note that the predicates of this aspect of time are translated into Russian by imperfective verbs, since they denote an unfinished process.

Negation

If you add the negation particle not to the predicate, then the affirmative sentence will change to a negative statement.

Jack (1) is (2)not(3) riding (4) this horse (5) – Jackridesonthishorses.

At the same time, the added particle often merges with the verb to be, forming abbreviated constructions: aren’t/isn’t. Let's look at how negative sentences are constructed based on the present continuous aspect, using the example of 10 sentences.

She isn't looking for a new job –SheNot looking for newwork.
I am not teaching German at present –INthe presenttimeINot I teach Germanlanguage.
You aren't singing old songs now –NowYouNot perform oldsongs.
Mymobilephone isn't 't working now– My mobile phone now does not work .
They aren't 't sending theseemails- They they don't send these emails.
Atthemomenthe isn't 't still playing football– At the moment he is still does not play to football.
They aren't 't telling thetruthaboutthiscase- They they don't tell the truth about this case.
I am not leaving at 3 o'clock -INot I'm leaving Vthreehours.
The laptop isn't charging right now –DirectlyNowlaptopNot charging .
Now they aren't watching TV, but they are playing computers games –NowTheyNot are watching TV,ButTheyplay Vcomputergames.

It is worth noting that the abbreviated form is also used for the pronoun I I'mnot.

Questions

The most numerous type of statements are interrogative sentences. For a long time there are six types of expressions with a questioning tone. First, let's look at the general questions of the present continuous and examples of sentences of this type.

General questions are a kind of clarifying sentences that can be confirmed or refuted with a short answer. To construct such a question, you simply need to move the form to be to the beginning of the sentence.

Is(1) Jack(2) riding (3)this horse (4)? – Jackridesonthishorses?

The short answer will consist of the words Yes/No and the pronoun with the form to be.

Yes, he is – Yes,rides. No, he isn't 't - No, he doesn’t ride.

To master the design, we will work through 10 sentences with questions and short answers.

Are you drawing your favorite cartoon character? – Yes, we are. — You draw your favorite cartoon character? Yes, we draw.
Is she learning Chinese now? – No, she isn't. — She is now studies Chinese? No,Notstudies.
Am I writing it? – Yes, you are. — I I'm writing it down This ? Yes, you write it down.
Are you reading the Idiot by Dostoevsky now? – No, I am not. — You you're reading "The Idiot" by Dostoevsky? - No, I don’t read.
Is he repairing your car at the moment? – No, he isn't . — At the moment he mends your car? - No, he doesn’t.
Are they following us? – Yes, they are . — They follow behind us? Yes, they follow.
Am I doing this exercise? – Yes, you are . — I I'm doing this exercise? Yes, you do.
Is she burning these papers? – No, she isn't . — She burns these papers? No, it doesn't burn.
Are we preparing project documentation? – Yes, we are . — We preparing project documentation? Yes, preparing. — Is match starting right now? – No, it isn't. — Match begins right now? No, it's not starting.

If we put a choice between two options for a general question, then we will already get an alternative question. Its design is the same, only with a union or an additional part is added.

Are you leaving at 6 or 7 a.m.? –You you're leaving V 06 or V 07 hours morning?
Is he cooking meat or fish now? –He Now trains meat or fish?

Questions with special interrogative words that displace the verb to be from the first place have a more interesting behavior. They appear at the beginning of the phrase, and after them comes the typical construction of a general question. Let's look at examples of questions in the present continuous with special question words.

Why is she continuing to do it again? –Whyshecontinued doThisagain?
Where are they walking now? –WhereTheyNowwalking ?

But the interrogative words what and who form a separate type of question - clarification of the subject. Therefore, they essentially have a statement order, only in the first place instead of the performer of actions there is a question word.

Who is calling you? –Whoyoucalls ?
What is playing atthemoviesthisweek? - What show in theaters this week?

In colloquial speech you can often find negative questions that express an emotional attitude towards the subject of conversation.

Isn't she complaining of her life? –Isn't itsheNot complains onmylife?
Aren 't you enjoying thisparty? -Are you not happy this party?

And the last grammatical construction is dividing questions. They consist of two parts: the first is a regular statement, and the second, separated by a comma, is an additional question. Moreover, the meaning of the question is directly opposite to the meaning of the first part of the sentence.

They are speaking Polish, aren't 't they ? - They They say in Polish, isn't it?
He isn't 't growing tomatoes, is he ? - He does not grow tomatoes, right?

The grammatical structure has been studied, it remains to understand the scope of application of this aspect.

Use of present continuous

In addition to denoting processes occurring right now or at a specified time, the present continuum has several other uses.

There are often proposals to use the present continuous as a description of negative actions that are repeated by someone over and over again. This could be bad habits, behavior, absent-mindedness, etc.

Pamela is constantly talking about her baby –Pamelaconstantlychatting Ohischild!
I am always losing my pensIAlwaysI'm losing theirpens!

With the help of a stable phrase to be going to, this aspect is used to indicate events planned for the near future.

This year we are going to buy a new car –Were going buy newcarVthisyear.
TomorrowI am going to send apostcardtomyrelatives- Tomorrow I I'm going to send a postcard to your relatives.

When it comes to changing events, developing technologies, etc. you can also use the present continuous aspect. In such expressions it will have a generalized meaning.

Young people are watching movies on the Internet these days –INis ourtimethe youthlooks movies ByInternet.

It is equally important to note situations in which the continuum is never used. We are talking about a fairly extensive list of static verbs that do not take an ing form. The next article provides a complete list of them.

Affirmative form Present Continuous (present continuous tense) is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the present tense (am, is, are) and an infinitive without to with ending -ing(Participle I - participle I or present participle). This can be represented as a formula:

to be (changeable part am, is, are) + infinitive without to (speak) + -ing speak+ink=speaking

I am speaking now.
She is speaking now.
They are speaking now.

Please note:
Verbs expressing feelings of perception and mental activity, as well as some other verbs, are not used in the Continuous tenses. This is: to want - want, to like - like, to love - be in love, to wish - want, to see - see, to hear - hear, to feel - feel, to notice - notice, to remember - remember, to recognize - learn, to forget - forget, to seem - seem, to be - be and etc.

Negative form is formed by adding a negation not to auxiliary verb to be.

I am not working. I don't work.
He is not working. He does not work.
We are not working. We do not work.
They are not working. They do not work.

a) the auxiliary verb to be (am, is, are) is reduced, the negation not remains unchanged.

I'm not working now. I am not working right now.
He's not working now. It's not working now.
You're not working now. You are not working now.

b) the negative particle not merges with the auxiliary verb, the letter o drops out:

Not isn't working now. It's not working now.
We aren't writing now. We are not writing now.

Interrogative form formed by rearranging the auxiliary verb and the subject - auxiliary verb to be is placed before the subject.

Is he writing now? Is he writing now?
Are are they reading? They are reading?

If there is a question word, it is placed before the auxiliary verb to be.

What are you doing now? What are you doing now?
Where is he working? Where he works?

Please note:
If two verbs in the Present Continuous have the same subject and are joined by a conjunction and, then the auxiliary verb before the second, main verb in the Continuous is omitted.

She is sitting on the bench now and talking with Mr. Brown.
Now she is sitting on the bench and talking to Mr. Brown.

Writing rules

If the verb ends in one letter -e, then before -ing this -e omitted: hat e-hat ing, so e- so ing.
If the verb ends in -ee, then no changes occur. Ending -ing added to the main verb: see - see ing, agree - agree ing.
If there is a short vowel before the final consonant, then when adding the ending -ing the final consonant is doubled: run - run n ing, swim - swim m ing.
If the verb consists of two or more syllables and the stress falls on the last syllable, which consists of one vowel before the final consonant, then the final consonant is doubled: begin - begin n ing, admit - admit t ing.

Note:

enter - entering (the stress on the last syllable does not fall);
last letter -l after a vowel (if there is only one vowel) in the British version it is always doubled, regardless of the stress: travel - traveling, signal - signaling.

Conjugation of the verbs to work, to write in the Present Continuous

Use

Present Continuous is used:

1. To express an action that is happening at the present moment of speech, which is implied from the context or expressed by words such as now - Now, at (the) present (moment) - at present, at this moment - At the moment and so on.

What are you doing (now)? - What are you doing now)?
I am cooking. Come and have supper with us. I'm cooking (in the kitchen). Come and have dinner with us.

Please note:
In principle, the presence of words denoting the moment of speech in an English sentence is not necessary, since the form of time itself shows that the action occurs at the moment of speech. In Russian, the coincidence of an action with the moment of speech is either clear from the context, or is specified by the words now, at the moment, etc.

2. To express a continued action that does not necessarily occur at the time of conversation, but is of a permanent nature.

I am reading a novel by K. Simonov.
I am reading a novel by K. Simonov. (Action in progress, extended over time.)
They are learning two foreign languages at the new gymnasium.
In the new gymnasium they study two foreign languages.
Not teaching English and learning French. He teaches English and studies French.

3. To express a predetermined, planned action that will take place in the future, often in the near future.

Are you doing anything tonight? Are you doing anything tonight?
Yes, I am going to my judo class and (I’m) meeting my friends afterwards.
Yes, I go to judo class, then meet my friends. (This is planned.)
She is leaving at the end of the week. She's leaving at the end of the week. (It’s planned, it’s decided.)

4. With an adverb always to express a constantly repeated action that causes irritation, condemnation and even indignation in the speaker.

Not always going away for weekends. He's always going away for the weekend.

Compare:
Not always goes away for weekends. He always goes away on weekends.

The use of Simple Present/Present Indefinite instead of Present Continuous changes the speaker’s emotional attitude to what is happening and is perceived by the latter as an ordinary normal phenomenon, as a fact of action.

Present Continuous, as a rule, not used:

1. With verbs expressing feelings of perception: to see - see, to hear - hear, to notice - notice, to smell - smell, to feel - feel, to recognize - learn, to listen (to) - listen, to watch - observe.

But: Present Continuous is used:

a) with the verb to see in the meaning of “meet on business”, in the meaning of “visit” some places related to tourism, as well as in the meaning of “take care”.

The director is seeing the applicants this morning. The director is meeting with the applicants this morning.
Not seeing the sights. He'll be back later. He is sightseeing. He'll be back later.
Not seeing about tickets for tonight. He gets tickets for tonight.

b) with the verbs to listen, to look, to watch and sometimes to smell, if an intentional action is expressed.

Why are you looking at this furcoat? Why are you looking at this fur coat?
It's far too expensive. I see one in the corner that would suit you much better. She's too expensive. I see a fur coat in the corner that would suit you better.
Don’t disturb him now, he is listening to the “radio-fact”. Don't bother him, he's listening, "radio fact."

c) with the verb to hear meaning “to receive information about something or from someone.”

I’ve been hearing all about this accident.
I heard (learned) everything about this accident.

2. With verbs expressing emotions: to want - want, to desire - want, to refuse - refuse, to forgive - forgive, to wish - want, to hate - hate, to like - like, to love - be in love.

BUT: The Present Continuous is used with the verb to like in the meaning of “like”.

How are you liking this hot weather? How do you like this heat?
Are you enjoying this nice trip on the sea? Do you enjoy this magnificent journey by sea?
Yes, I love it. Yes, I like it very much).
(No, I hate it). (No I do not like.)

3. With verbs expressing thought processes, etc.: to understand - understand, to know - know, to remember - remember, to believe - believe, to expect - expect, to suppose - believe, assume, to recollect - recall, to trust - trust.
4. With verbs expressing ownership: to own - have, to belong - belong, to possess - own.
5. With verbs to seem - seem, to signify - to express, to appear - appear, to contain - contain, to consist - consist, to keep - keep, to concern - worry, to matter - to mean.

Modal verbs in English do not express the action itself (therefore they are not used independently), but the attitude towards the action. In combination with an infinitive, they express the possibility, necessity or desirability of performing an action and act as a compound verbal predicate.

Present Continuous Tense - Present Progressive is found quite often in English. In Russian it is pronounced [present progressive] - English transcription. After studying the article, you will be able to easily find the Present Continuous in the text, conjugate verbs, learn to use all three forms of sentences, and learn the various rules for using this tense.

At the end of the article there are exercises that will help you master your language skills. Beginners may be confused with the Present Progressive, since these two tenses are used in the present form. Here, we have provided a detailed explanation on the topic – Present Continuous Tense.

Read the story on Present Progressive. Be sure to pay attention to the underlined verbs.

Right now, it’s Friday evening. Sindy and Ron are at home. They are sitting on the sofa. They are eating dinner. At this moment, Sindy is drinking water. She is eating chocolate. She is sitting next to Ron. She is talking to Ron. Ron is Sindy's husband. He is sitting on the sofa with Sindy. He is also drinking water. Ron is listening to Sindy. After dinner, Ron and Sindy are visiting their friends.

Cases of using Present Progressive tense (Continuous)

There are several cases where only the Present Continuous is used and not some other tense. Below are example sentences to help you understand the topic.

1. Actions that are happening at the moment, right now:

Example:

— My boss is having dinner with his sister now - The boss is now having lunch with his sister.
— My brother is having a shower at the moment – My brother is taking a shower at the moment.
— I'm practicing Italian grammar – I am practicing Italian grammar.

2. Actions are happening now, but it is not necessary that they are happening at this moment. That is, when the action has begun but has not yet ended:

Example:

— My friend is preparing for his exam - My friend is preparing for the exam. (This means that it is being prepared, but not at the moment).
— I'm reading a great book – I’m reading a great book. (Not necessarily at this point. I started reading but haven't finished yet).
— My mother is writing a book – My mother is writing a book.
— She is looking for a new apartment – She is looking for a new apartment.

3. If you have a photograph or painting and you want to describe it to someone, then we also use the Present Continuous:

Example:

—They are sitting on the bench. The two women on the left are drinking water. Some of them are eating apples – They are sitting on a bench. The two women on the left are drinking water. Some of them eat apples.
It doesn't matter whether the photo was taken just recently or several years ago, we still use our long time.

4. When there are 2 actions, one of which is in process, and the other is a habitual action, the first is expressed by Present Count., the second:

Example:

— You never close your mouth while you are eating– You never close your mouth while eating. (close – stands in, since this is a person’s habit, and the second is a process, which is why Present Progressive is used).
— I never sleep while I' m working– I never sleep while I’m working.

5. Actions that occur only temporarily:

Compare two examples:

(Similar and Present Progressive)

— She lives
— She is living with her grandparents – She lives with her grandparents.

What do you think is the difference?

In the first sentence, she lives permanently with her grandparents. In the second, this is a temporary situation.

More examples:

—His father works in Amsterdam – His father works in Amsterdam.
—His father is working in Amsterdam this month – His father is working in Amsterdam this month.

6. Constant repetitive actions with ever, always, forever, constantly that express irritation and criticism:

Example:

— Terry is constantly touching my books! – Terry touches my books all the time!
—They are always causing trouble! – They always cause problems!
— He is such a boring man, who’s always making a fuss about nothing! “He’s such a boring person who always makes scandals about nothing!”

Pay attention to the following example:

— The earth is always moving– The earth is always moving.

In this sentence, the Earth literally moves and this is true. It's a continuous process. That's why we use the Present Continuous.

7. Planned actions, events in the near future:

Example:

-I' m visiting my family tonight – in the evening I will visit my family (everything is planned).
—They are gettingtin g married next week - They will get married next week.
— My husband is picking me up at 7 o’clock tonight - My husband will pick me up at seven o’clock.

8. Changing or developing situations:

Example:

— The climate is getting warmer – The climate is becoming warmer.
— The price of gold is increasing– The price of gold is rising.
—Your English and German are getting better – Your English and German are improving.

9. Physical condition:

We can use the Present Progressive (Continuous) to express a physical state.

Example:

— How are you feeling? - How do you feel?

But we can also say:

— How do you feel?

Using Present Indefinite the meaning is the same.

— My back is hurting- My back hurts.
— My back hurts

The two options in Present Continuous and (present simple) are absolutely correct.

10. Trends:

Example:

—More and more people are using their computers to watch films – More and more people are using computers to watch films.

11. Another time we use the Present Progressive is when you have the feeling that you are becoming aware of something:

Example:

— I find
— I'm finding it difficult to live with him - It’s difficult for me to live with him.

- In the first version, these feelings are not new for you.
- In the second option, when you use the present continuous tense, then these feelings are new to you. That is, you have only now begun to think about it.
A common mistake is to use this form to describe what the company sells or produces. In general, a company sells something on a regular basis, so you need to use the present simple rather than the present continuous.

Let's look at examples:

— Incorrect: We are producing plastic pipes.
- Correct: We produce plastic pipes - We produce plastic pipes.

Marker words (satellites) Present Progressive (Continuous)

The English language uses indicator words, they tell you what tense you should use. In the present continuous tense, these words are used in situations that occur during conversation or making plans for the near future.

Actions taking place at the moment of speech (now):

Look!
Listen!
At present
Now
Just now
At the moment
Right now

Events for the near future:

In the morning etc.
Tomorrow
Next/next week
Tonight
Today
This afternoon

Always
Still
Nowadays

Examples of sentences for clue words (markers):

Look! The sun is rising – Look! The sun is rising.

I'm looking after June's dog this week– I'm looking after June's dog this week.

She is staying with parents in Rome at present– He is currently with his parents in Rome.

Present Progressive (Continuous) sentence forms

Let's look at how sentence forms are used in the present continuous tense in English.

Positive Sentences

As always, an affirmative sentence begins with a subject, followed by an auxiliary verb to be, which is modified. Therefore, we need to repeat the conjugation of the verb to be (I am, They are, He is etc). The ending -ing is added to the semantic verb, and the particle to is not used.

The formula is very simple:
Subject + to be + main Verb + ing(Participle Participle I)
Subject + verb to be + semantic verb + -ing form.

Table of the affirmative form Present Continuous Tense:

Who? Who?	Form of verb	Examples
I (I)	am+ verb + ing	I am training now
He/She/It (he, she, it)	is+ verb + ing	He is clapping now She is singing now It is working now
You (you, you)	are+ verb + ing	You are typing now
We (we)	are+ verb + ing	We are talking now
They (they)	are+ verb + ing	They are kissing now

Native speakers very often shorten the pronoun and to be:

I am – I’m having a good time in these woods.
You are – You’re holding my handbag.
You can also feel free to shorten pronouns for quick speech.

Negative form of sentences Present Progressive (Negative Sentences)

The construction of negative sentences is the same as in Russian. You need to add the particle ‘not’ after to be. Everything else is in place. To simplify, let's look at the table:

Who? Who?	Form of verb	Examples
I (I)	am + not+ verb + ing	I am not training now
He/She/It (he, she, it)	is + not+ verb + ing	He is not clapping now She is not cooking now It is not working now
You (you, you)	are + not+ verb + ing	You are not running now
We (we)	are + not+ verb + ing	We are not having a shower now
They (they)	are + not+ verb + ing	They are not kissing now

Short form of negative sentences:

They aren't jumping or They're not...
He isn't phoning or He’s not...
And so on.

Interrogative or question sentences Present Progressive (Interrogative or question sentences)

To form an interrogative sentence, you will need:

Verb to be (verb to be) – takes 1st place
Subject (subject) – takes 2nd place
Main verb (semantic verb) – takes 3rd place

Table of the interrogative form of a sentence:

Verb to be	Who? Who?	Form of verb	Form of verb
Am	I (I)	verb + ing	Am I sitting now?
Is	He/She/It (he, she, it)	verb + ing	Is he walking now? Is she crying now? Is it cracking now?
Are	You (you, you)	verb + ing	Are you training now?
Are	We (we)	verb + ing	Are we boxing now?
Are	They (they)	verb + ing	Are they diving now?

Do you know that there is also an interrogative-negative form? Let's look at an example:

-Is she not studying?

The shortened form can also be used without hesitation in the following sentences:

— Isn't she studying?

Learn more about question sentences:

Dividing questions - Tag questions
General questions - Yes/No questions
Alternative questions
Special or WH-questions

Rules for the formation of Present Continuous (Progressive) tense in English. Rules for adding -ing endings to verbs

When an -ing form is added to a verb, some of them change in spelling:

1. Verbs in - e, when adding -ing form, the letter is - e no longer required:

- Have - having

Verbs ending with a long sound - e, then add -ing from without changing the spelling:

- See - seeing
- Agree - agreeing

2. Verbs in - ie, when adding -ing form, the letter changes to - y:

3. Verbs in - y, when adding -ing form, the letter is preserved:

- Cry - crying

4. If the verb consists of one syllable and ends in (consonant + vowel + consonant), then the last consonant is doubled:

— Plan — planning
- Win - winning

5. When a verb ends in (S + G + S) and has two or more syllables, and if the final syllable is stressed, then the last consonant is doubled:

- Forget - forgetting
— Regret — regretting

Note:
Below are verbs ending in (C + G + C). However, the consonant is not doubled since they end in w, x or y:

- Row - rowing
- Stay - staying

The word Travel can be spelled in two ways:

Traveling – American version/American English

Traveling – British version/British English

General Table of Formation of the Present Continuous Tense - Present Progressive

Types of offers	Present continuous
Affirmative sentence	I+ am + V-ing(verb in -ing form) We/you/they + are + V-ing He/she/it + is + V-ing
Negative sentence	I+ am not + V-ing We/you/they + are not(aren't) + V-ing He/she/it + is not(isn't) + V-ing
Interrogative sentence	Am+I+ V-ing…? Are+ we/you/they + V-ing Is+he/she/it+ V-ing
Special question	WH + am/is/are + S + V-ing WH is a question word, S-subject- subject, V-verb. W.H.- why, when, where etc.

Present Progressive (Continuous) - Present continuous tense: exercises with translation and answers

Do the exercises to help you understand the material.

Exercise 1(exercise). Put the verb into the Present Continuous and translate the sentences.

1. Tom (eat) an apple.

2. My granddad (wear) a nice coat.

3. Sarah and Rob (talk) to father.

4. Jim (do) the washing-up right now.

5. Peter (sit) on the bench.

6. My mum (prepare) brunch now.

7. Ben (pack) the picnic basket.

8. Listen! Stan (come) home.

9. We (collect) our son from school.

10. I (not wash) my hair.

Answers. Answers to the exercise:

1. Is eating
2.Are wearing
3. Are talking
4. Is doing
5. Is sitting
6. Is preparing
7. Is packing
8. Is coming
9. Are collecting
10. Am not washing

Exercise 2. Put the sentences into interrogative form using the Present Progressive.

1. __ I ___ (wear) a warm sweater?

2. __ he ___ (read) the magazine?

3. __ the President ___ (make) the right decision?

4. ___ we ___ (read) a lot of books?

5. __ my sisters ___ (come) to the concert with us?

Answers. Answers to the exercise:

1. Am I wearing…?
2. Is he reading...?
3. Is the President making...?
4. Are we reading...?
5. Are my sisters coming...?

Exercise 3. Put the verbs in -ing form and distribute them in a table.

Rob, listen, lie, use, die, cry, come, travel, put, bring, run, tie, dive, hope, go.

+ -ing	-ie Changes to y + -ing	-ie Changes to y + -ing	Double consonant + -ing

Answers. Answers to the exercise:

1. Robbing
2. Lying
3.Using
4.Bringing
5.Running
6. Tying
7.Hoping
8.Going
9. Crying
10.Coming
11.Putting

Exercise 4. Exercise on the differences between Present Simple and Present Progressive.

1. I (work) from 8 to 6 every day.

2. She (watch) TV right now.

3. My brother always (play) soccer on Saturday.

4. Can your father (speak) Chinese?

5. What do you (do)? I'm drinking a cup of tea.

6. He (write) a letter to his girlfriend now.

7. We need an umbrella because it (rain) outside.

8. Be quite because my baby (sleep).

9. John (visit) his parents twice a week.

10. They always (go) to university from Monday to Friday.

Answers. Answers to the exercise:

1. Work
2. Is watching
3.Plays
4. Speak
5. Are you doing
6. Is writing
7. Is raining
8. Is sleeping
9. Visits
10.Go

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

Start Quiz

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 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 is not observed).

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.

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

when can you use Present Continuous?

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 the subordinate clause of time or condition after conjunctions.