Present continuous in English. Present Continuous Tense - present continuous tense in English

Dear readers of the English Voyage blog! Today you will learn to use another English verb tense. In the grammar tables below we will look at the formation of the affirmative, interrogative and negative forms Present Continuous(Progressive). After the tables and useful video, you will be able to independently translate Russian sentences into English using the present long time. If you do not confuse the forms and translate sentences with am, is, are without errors, then you will remember the formation of tense easily.

To get started, watch this video tutorial carefully. Here they calmly and in detail talk about the construction and use of the Present Continuous. At the end - an exercise (don’t be too lazy to do it:).

Time Present Continuous used:

to describe the action taking place at the moment of speech. For example: She is singing a song now. She's singing the song now.

to describe a temporary action that occurs not at the present moment of speech (at the same minute, second), but in the present period of time. For example: I am working on the project. I'm working on the project. (This does not mean at this moment, but over the course of a limited present period, which will soon end).

to describe repeated actions that cause irritation or disapproval of the speaker. Especially with adverbs like always, constantly, repeatedly, which are translated, as a rule, into Russian with the word "forever." For example: You are always shouting at me! You're always yelling at me!

Marker words(read the article for more details about marker words) for the Present Continuous: now, at the moment, this week, today. For the future - tomorrow, next week.

Time Present Continuous NOT used with State verbs - verbs that describe a state of mind, body or mind, as well as ongoing relationships. State verbs include the following English verbs: appear (in the meaning of “seem”), assume - to believe, be - to be, believe - to believe, consider, belong - to belong, consider (in the meaning of "to consider"), consist - to consist, contain - to contain, cost - to cost, depend - depend, detest - to disgust, envy - to envy, equal - to be equal, exist - to exist, expect - to expect, feel (in the meaning of “to cause a sensation”, “to be touched” and “to count”), fit - to fit, forget - forget, hate - to hate, have (in the meaning of “possess”), hear - to hear, include - to include, know - to know, lack - not to be enough, like - to like, look (in the meaning of “look”), love - to love, matter - to have meaning, mean - to mean, need - to need, owe - to owe, own - to own, possess - to have, prefer - to prefer, realize - to realize, remember - to remember, see (in the meaning of “perceive with sight”, “understand” ), seem - to appear, smell (meaning “to smell”), taste (meaning “to have a taste”), tend - to have a tendency, think (meaning “to count”), understand - to understand, want - to want, wish - to desire , weigh (meaning “to weigh”). We will look at state verbs in more detail in future posts.

THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS (PROGRESSIVE) TENSE

Affirmative form

Interrogative form

(yes/no questions – general questions) ?

Interrogative form

(WH-? – special questions) ?

Negative form

Before you say a sentence, think about the verb. If this is a state verb, then instead of the Present Continuous you need to use the Present Simple. For example, “I love pizza” - “I love (like) pizza.”

So, today we looked at the formation of the Present Continuous. If you have any questions on the topic or need additional explanations, write in the comments. I will be happy to answer all questions. Expect new articles in the section.

For a long time. Forms sentences using the auxiliary verb to be (in English translated as “to be”) in the form of the present tense and the fourth form of the main semantic verb (with the suffix -ing characteristic of the long tense).

Let's consider the use of present continuous. Example sentences:

You are having dinner. - You are having dinner (right now).

I am waiting for you. - I'm waiting for you.

They are traveling in the west. - They travel to the west.

She is writing a letter right know. - She is writing a letter right now.

We are speaking English now. - We speak English language Now.

They are reading this boring book now. - They are reading this boring book now.

For reference:

• In colloquial English, the word "dinner" means dinner, and "supper" means a late dinner in a homely family setting.

Formation of question and negation

When forming an interrogative sentence in the present continuous tense, the words in it change places. As in any other case of English.

The verb to be moves to the first place - before the subject (pronoun, noun or proper name) in sentences with the present continuous. Example sentences:

Is she reading this boring book now? - Is she reading this boring book now?

Are we speaking English right now? -Are we speaking English right now?

Is she writing the letter now? - Is she writing this letter right now?

When forming a negative sentence between the form of the auxiliary and the semantic verb, not is added along with the semantic verb in the present continuous. Example sentences:

He is not writing. - He does not write.

I am not speaking. - I do not speak.

We are not waiting. - We're not waiting.

They are not studying. - They don't study.

She is not asking. - She doesn't ask.

However, such complete forms of denial are rarely used. In spoken language, abbreviations are used: isn't in the singular or aren't in the plural.

Important rules for using this time

Using Present continuous. Rules of use:

1. The specified tense is used to express a specific action occurring at the present moment or period, that is, right now. This is what the temporary additions to the sentences specifically indicate:

now - now;

at the moment - at this (this) moment.

But these words are not always present in the sentence. They can only be implied.

He is reading his diploma. - He is reading his diploma (that is, right now).

2. It is usually not used with verbs that denote the state of an object rather than its action:

to want - to want;

to feel - to feel;

to love - to love;

to think - to think;

to like - to like, love;

to be - to be;

to live - to live;

to hate - to hate;

to stay - to stay;

to hear - to hear;

to remember - remember;

to see - see and some other English verbs.

But sometimes these verbs of state are still used to emphasize the temporary state in the present continuous. Example sentences:

I know I am being a baby but I can't help it. - I know that I'm like a child, but I can't do anything about it (that is, I'm only acting like a child now).

She is wanting to stay at this house and I can't help it. - She wants to stay in this house and I can’t help (that is, she just wants to stay now).

3. When a sentence conveys the intention to perform an action, the present continuous is sometimes used to indicate the future tense. Example sentences:

We are going to the cinema tonight. - We are going to go to the cinema this evening.

She is leaving by seven-o"clock train. - She is leaving by seven o'clock train.

Present Perfect Continuous Forms

Or, as it is also called, progressive in English are peculiar derivatives of the present continuous tense.

You can get it using the verb to be (to be) in the form of the present perfect tense ( have been or has been in the 3rd person singular) and an auxiliary verb in the continuous tense (with the ending -ing).

Present perfect continuous - example sentences:

1) Used to denote an action that began in the past at a certain point in time, continued for some time and continues at the present moment:

I have been walking since 8 o"clock in the morning. - I have been walking since 8 o'clock in the morning.

He has been living in Moscow for six years. - He has lived in Moscow for six years.

2) An ordinary and constantly occurring action, indicating the time period for the continuation of the action. In this case, if it is not indicated how long (time period) the action lasts, then the present continuous tense is used.

It has been raining for three days. - It has been raining for two days.

It has raining. - It's raining.

He has been studying English for seven years. - He has been studying English for seven years.

He is studying English. - He is studying English (that is, right now).

3) Constructions of the present perfect continuous tense are also used to indicate the duration of an action. At the same time, if the fact of the completion of an action is indicated, then another tense is used - the present perfect.

I have been living here since 1956. - I have been living here since 1956 (that is, my residence here has continued all this time).

I have lived here since 1956. - I have lived here since 1956 (that is, an episode of an action that has already occurred is emphasized).

4) The present perfect continuous tense, like the present continuous tense, is not used with English verbs that denote the state of an object, rather than its action. That is, verbs - to love - to love, to feel - to feel and others similar to them indicated above (present continuous rules).

5) This tense is also used in interrogative sentences to indicate the period that precedes the moment of speech (a given point in time). In this case, the use of appropriate question words and constructions is typical - how long - how long, how long; since when - since what time, since when.

How long have they been living here? - How long (how long) do they live here?

Since when has she been sitting there? - Since when (since when) has she been sitting there?

Present continuous passive

Form passive voice The present continuous tense shows the action in its development, that is, how it continues. This construction is formed as follows:

• verb to be (am, is, are) + being (that is, an indication of the continuous tense) + the second form of the semantic verb.

Let's look at the present continuous passive, example sentences:

New railway stations are being built. - New railway stations are being built (that is, they are being built right now).

Delicious supper is being cooked. - Delicious dinner It's getting ready now.

If the present tense in such a voice changes to the past, then in the sentences, since there is no indication of the time frame, only the form of the verb to be changes. It is put in the past tense was - in the singular and were - in the plural.

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 time, the Present Continuous has questions different types. And if the above suggestions apply to general issues, then, for example, special questions in the Present Continuous (the question to the subject does not apply 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. Time present continuus, also called Present Progressive Tense, often carries with him some so-called markers, the presence of which in the text, as a rule, indicates that the time will be exactly like this. 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 such as now or now, in English we use the Present Continuous tense in more in a broad 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 Future Indefinite, where decisions aimed at the future are usually spontaneous and only probable.

4. With “constantly, always, ever”

With the Present Continuous, those sentences are usually used, situations in which are aimed at demonstrating those actions that are always continuous and never stand still. In this case, special hints often appear in the form of adverbs constantly, always, ever:

· The population of the Earth is always increasing – The population of the Earth is constantly increasing
· The Sun is ever shining – The sun always shines

5. Irritation

Often there are such sentences in the Present Continuous, in which the speaker expresses the idea of ​​irritation and negative emotions towards another. Here the same satellites are also usually used - the adverbs always, constantly:

· You are always grumbling! - You're always grumbling!
· She is constantly complaining! “She’s always complaining!”

Verbs not used in Continuous

English, like, perhaps, any other language, has its own strict laws. If we are talking about Present Continuous Active, then it is extremely important to remember that not all verbs can form the Present Participle form and be used to indicate a process. Below are categories of verbs that are not used in the Continuous and cannot form the –ing or so-called form:

· verbs of sensory perception (see, hear, smell, etc.);
· verbs, the essence of which is to express desire and intention (wish, intend, want, etc.);
· verbs illustrating mental activity (think, suppose, believe, etc.);
· verbs showing feelings and emotions (love, hate, like, etc.);
· verbs displaying abstract relationships (have, belong, possess, etc.).

But even in these cases there are exceptions: for example, the verb of sensory perception to see in its direct meaning see has no right to stand in Continuous. But, acting, for example, as a phrasal verb (to see off - to see off) or being part of some construction (to see the sights of - to see the sights), it has every right 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.

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 an action is taking place at some specific moment. 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.

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 use of Present Continuous is not limited to just 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 how the English language is - 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 negative form a particle is added to the auxiliary verb not. -note that often, especially in colloquial speech, it contracts, 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 do interrogative sentence, you just need to 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 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.