Present Continuous Tense - Present continuous tense in English: rules, words - markers, examples of sentences. Present Continuous - Rules and Examples

Hello! If you are interested in the rules for the formation and use of time Present Continuous in English, then you've come to the right place! I will tell you what Present Continuous time is, I will explain the nuances of the formation and use of this time, and also for clarity, I will give many examples.

What is Present Continuous Tense?

present continuous tense(Present Continuous) is a tense form of a verb that describes an action or state that lasts for this moment speech. That is, Present Continuous Tense shows actions and states in progress! This is how it differs from the simple present tense (Present simple tense).

There is no analogue for Present Continuous Tense in Russian. It provides only one temporary form for the present tense, which expresses both shades of simple and long tense. Let's see this with an example:

Present continuous: You are speaking Spanish - Do you speak Spanish Spanish. (Meaning you are speaking Spanish at the moment.)

present simple: You speak Spanish. - You speak Spanish. (Meaning you can speak Spanish at all.)

As you can see, in Russian the same form of the verb conveys different shades of the present tense. Time Present Continuous

Rules for the formation of Present Continuous Tense

The Present Continuous is difficult. It is formed with 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 (Present Participle), it is important to know the following rules:

If the verb ends in an unpronounceable -e, then it goes down:

to drive e— driving
to give e- giving

If the verb ends in a consonant after the 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 respected).

to travel-trave ll ing
to fulfil - fulfi ll ing

If the verb ends in -ie, then -ie changes to -y:

to l ie—l y ing
to d ie- d y ing

Education affirmative form:

subject + to be in Present Simple (am, are, is) + Present Participle of the main verb (V + ing)

Formation of the interrogative form:

to be in Present Simple (am, are, is) + subject + Present Participle of the main verb (V + ing)

Formation of the negative form:

subject + to be in Present Simple (am, are, is) + negation of not + Present Participle of the main verb (V + ing)

Conjugation table of 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 carefully study this table as a cliché, where you will then substitute other verbs.

Not all English verbs are used in the long tense. Verbs that denote desires, thoughts, states, feelings, as a rule, are not used in the Present Continuous form. More detailed list you can find such verbs in the article: Present Simple tense in English

When can I 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 circumstances of time 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 that something is on fire?"
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 current moment of speech:

Sorry but I can't lend you this book because I'm reading it myself. — I'm sorry, but I can't lend you this book, because. I'm reading it myself right now.
I'm studying at the university. - I study at University.

3. When expressing any inclination or permanent 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 argue with my teachers.

4. When expressing actions planned for the near future. In such sentences, verbs of motion are very often used:

to come - go
to move - move
to leave - leave
to stay - stay
to return - return
to start - start

and expressions:

to have guests - have guests
to give a party - make a party

I am giving a birthday party tomorrow. Tomorrow I'm having a birthday party.
They are leaving us this afternoon. They are leaving us tonight.

Note!

The combination of the verb to go in 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. “Seo is going to introduce him to my parents.

6. When expressing an action that takes place simultaneously with another action expressed in Present Simple Tense. That is, in subordinate clause time or condition after unions.

It turns out that the British have their favorite times. Present Continuous tense or Present Continuous tense is one of them. We are talking today about how the Present Continuous is formed and when it is used.

General information

In Russian, you can find sentences of the following type:

You can not rush! The shop is still open!
She is now choosing a new dress.
At the moment they are discussing new issues.

As can be seen from the examples, we are talking about long-term actions, about processes that occur at the very moment when they are spoken about. In Russian, this is indicated by words such as “now”, “at the moment”, “still”. Verbs are used in the present tense. Otherwise, the matter is English language. To express duration, only adverbs of time are not enough. The main exponent of duration in the language of Foggy Albion is the tense form Present Continuous (Present Continuous):

Don't hurry! The shop is still working!
Now she is choosing a new dress.
At this moment they are discussing new questions.

Education

Sentences in English are built according to direct order words. In the first place - the subject, in the second - the predicate. affirmative sentences in Present Continuous are no exception. Only the predicate is expressed by two verbs: auxiliary to be and the main one with the addition of the ending to its basis - ing. The following table demonstrates how the formula works in practice "subjects + to be + main verb + -ing":

When adding the ending -ing to the stem of a semantic verb, it is necessary to pay attention to the final vowel or consonant:

if the verb ends with a silent vowel -e, then it is omitted ( to bake - baking, to blame - blaming);
if the verb ends in -ie, then this combination is replaced by -y ( to die - dying);
if the verb consists of one syllable and ends in a vowel + consonant, then the final consonant is doubled ( to cut - cutting, to put - putting).

Negative sentences

Negation in English is built using the negative particle not (not). In the Present Continuous tense, it stands between the auxiliary and main verbs: subject + to be + not + main verb + -ing.

Question

characteristic feature of the English interrogative sentences is an reverse order words when comes first auxiliary. In Present Continuous questions are built according to the following formula: to be + subject + main verb + -ing?

Use cases

The answer to the question of when Present Continuous (Present Continuous) is used lies on the surface - in the very name of time. Word Present(Present) indicates that the action is taking place in the present, and Continuous (Long) emphasizes the duration, the duration of the event. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Under dark water, other nuances of using this time are hidden:

To illustrate an action that is happening at the moment of speech. In this case, it is possible to use such time markers as at this moment (at the moment), now (now):

My father is not smoking now. He is speaking to our neighbor - My father doesn't smoke now. He is talking to our neighbor.

To describe an action that is extended over time: it is happening now and will continue for some time. In order to emphasize this “extension”, the time indicators these days (one of these days), currently (now) are used:

My grandmother is currently sewing a new shirt for me

To illustrate temporary situations, events. In these sentences, you can find words such as until (yet), for (during), during (during):

Ann is working as a teacher until she moves to another city - Anna works as a teacher until she moves to another city (her job is not permanent, but temporary).

To describe events that do not "stand in one place", they develop, change. As a rule, in these cases, the verbs to change (change), to get (become), to begin (begin), to improve (improve), to become (become) are used:

His skills are getting better - His skills are getting better.

To describe planned activities, as well as events that should happen in the near future:

Tonight they are organizing New Year party - Tonight they are preparing a New Year's party.

The stable expression to be going to (gather) is used in the meaning of the future (We are going to visit a doctor - We are going to visit the doctor).

What have we learned?

The considered rules and examples of Present Continuous for children explain in detail how this tense form is formed when a consonant is doubled and what are the exceptions when adding the ending -ing to the main verb. It has also been explained for beginners and difficult cases use of time.

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Education Present Continuous
(am/is/are + … -ing)

Present Continuous ( present progressive) formed with the help to be in present time ( am, is, are) and present participle forms of the semantic verb: I am smiling. When adding endings to verbs - ing sometimes there are changes in their spelling, for example have/hav ing. Additionally about.

Abbreviated forms:

‘m= am
‘re= are
‘s= is
aren't= are not
isn't= is not

Using Present Continuous

1. Long lasting taking place at the moment of speech ( now - now, at the present moment - in this moment, at this moment - at this moment).

Examples: What are you doing? - What are you doing? (now)
You are not listening to me. - You are not listening to me. (now)
my mother is reading a book now. My mother is reading a book now.

2. A long action that is taking place at the present time, but not necessarily at the moment of speech.

Examples: What are you doing here in Munich? – What are you doing here in Munich?
You 're working too much these days. – You work too much these days.

3. Planned future action, especially with verbs denoting movement ( to go - go / go, to come - come, to leave - leave / leave, to arrive - arrive / arrive, to start - set off / set off) when an intention to perform an action is expressed, or we are talking about a predetermined action. The sentence usually contains adjectives that indicate the future tense.

Examples: She is leaving for another city tonight. She is leaving for another city tonight.
He is taking an exam on Monday. He takes the exam on Monday.

4. Expression of action in the future (instead of) in adverbial and, which are introduced by unions if, when, while etc.

Examples: If I am working when you come, don't disturb me. If I'm working when you come, don't bother me.

5. Present Continuous (Present Progressive), as a rule, are not used with:

verbs emotional state (to wish - to desire, to desire - to desire, to love - to love),
verbs mental activity (to agree - agree, to believe - believe, to remember - remember, to think - count / believe * ),
sensation verbs ( to hear - to hear * , to see - see * , to taste - to have a taste * , to smell * ),
group of verbs of possession, relation ( to be * - to be, to consist - to consist, to belong - to belong.

Note.Verbs marked * can be used in the continuous form, but only with a change in meaning. Additionally about.

Examples: I know what I am doing. - I know what I'm doing.
I think she is beautiful. – I think she is beautiful. (my opinion)
Be quite! I 'm thinking. - Quiet! I think. (thinking activity)

Note.To express an intended or planned action in the future, instead of is often used. This design means the intention to perform an action in the very near future or gives a shade of obligation, the inevitability of performing an action indicated by the infinitive.

Examples: I 'm going to have dinner with Bob tomorrow. I am going to have lunch with Bob tomorrow.
He is going to be a surgeon. He is going to be a surgeon.

Tenses of the English verb, as a rule, inspire sacred horror in all students. Still - there are as many as 16 of them! But the devil is not so terrible as he is painted. We will try to explain to you as simply as possible, especially since for a start you can limit yourself to 4 times. In today's post, we'll take a look at the present Continuous Tense - Present continuous tense.

To better understand the tenses of the English verb, it is not necessary to memorize their name. It will be enough to clearly know three things: 1) when the action occurs; 2) how it is formed desired shape verb; 3) what is the auxiliary verb.

The Present Continuous Tense - Present Continuous Tense

As mentioned above, there are three main things to know.

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1. When does the action take place? The Present Continuous Tense denotes an action that is taking place at the moment of speech, directly now. That is, the action is indicated in the process, so this time is sometimes called Present Progressive Tense.

2. How is it formed? The present continuous tense form of the verb is formed with the verb to be (present tense) and . Simply put, am/is/are + verb ending ing.

Consider the example of the sentence "I am writing a letter." Before us is a sentence, the action of which is taking place at the moment - "I am now writing a letter." The verb-predicate is the word “I write”, and it is this word that we must put in the Present Continuous Tense. Since the subject is “I”, we therefore take the form of the verb “am”, and add the ending ing to the verb-predicate write. As a result, we get the sentence I am writing a letter.

3. What is the auxiliary verb? An auxiliary verb is needed to form the interrogative (?) and negative (-) forms of all tenses of the English verb and to form the affirmative (+) form of some tenses of the English verb. For the Present Continuous Tense, the auxiliary verb is to be, or rather, its forms am / is / are.

AT interrogative form the auxiliary verb (Are you eating now?) is put in the first place. AT negative form not is “attached” specifically to the auxiliary verb (He isn’t sleeping now).

For clarity, we will conjugate our sentence “I am writing a letter” by faces in the affirmative, interrogative and negative form.

Please note that only the forms of the verb to be change depending on the person of the subject, the present participle (ING-th form of the verb) does not change.

Here is a translation of several sentences in the present continuous tense:

We are drinking tea now
I am not reading now - I am not reading now
Are you currently working? are you working now?
Is he playing now? is he playing now?
She is not drinking coffee now - She is not drinking coffee now

Note: There are several English verbs, which are not used in the present continuous tense, these are the so-called verbs of feelings and perception:

With these verbs - even if the action is happening at the moment - it is used:

I'm tired. I want to go home.
Do you know that girl? Yes, but I don't remember her name.
You are speaking too fast. I don't understand.

Remember, at school, in the third grade, an English teacher showed you pictures in which people were doing various useful things, and asked in English: “What is he doing?”. And you answered: "He reads", "He helps his mother" or "He builds a birdhouse." On this acquaintance with Present Continuous for many of us ended.

Present Continuous, or the present long time , one of the basic tenses of the English language, starting from which you will build your system of tenses.

First, we will consider how the forms of this time are formed.

To form a statement, we need two components: auxiliary to be (am/ is / are - depending on the subject) and ending verb-ING.

Statement
		Ving: working.

Negation
	NOT	Ving: working.

General question
	Ving: working	?

* informational question with the word When ? is not set in Present Continuous, since the form itself to be + Ving indicates that the action is happening at the moment of speech, therefore, the question of time does not make sense.

At all times the group Continuous and in all types of statements there is an auxiliary verb to be and semantic verb with the ending -ING .

How to add an ending -ING to verbs? When this ending is added to the verb, the spelling of the verb changes. There are a few rules to remember:

	For most verbs that end in a consonant after two vowels or two consonants, the ending is added unchanged	speak - speaking point-pointing
	If the verb ends in silent E, then it drops out and is added ending ING
	For verbs that end in Y, the ending is added unchanged	study - studying
	If the verb ends in a closed stressed syllable, then the final consonant is doubled
travel-traveling	Verbs that end in an L preceded by a vowel double the L when the ending is added. This rule applies to British English, in American English L is not doubled.	quarrel - quarrelling marvel - marveling model - modeling
	If the verb ends in R in stressed syllable, then R doubles	prefer - preferring
Exceptions	There are a number of exceptions to remember	agree - agreeing

Now consider the use cases Present Continuous.

1. An action that occurs at the moment of speech. (Action in progress at the moment of speaking)

Present Continuous serves to express an action that is happening at the moment of speech, often in front of our eyes, that is, we can observe the process.

At the time of speech indicate such time indicators: now(now), at the moment(at present), still(still). Time pointers now and at the moment may not be used, because the form itself to be + Ving indicates that the action is happening right now, at the moment of speech.

In addition, words that serve to attract attention (look, listen, be careful, etc.), indicate that the action is happening at the moment of speech.

look! She is dancing! - Look! She is dancing!
Jim is still doing his homework. Jim is still doing his homework.
Be careful! The ladder is falling! - Carefully! The ladder is falling!

2. Temporary actions and states

States are actions that seem to be in progress at the time of speech, but we cannot see them. For example: live, work, study.

Using the Present Continuous in this sense, you are saying: “I’m doing it now, but it’s temporary, I don’t usually do it. When the action is completed, everything will return to its place".

Pointers: today, this week, these days, tonight, at present.

I'm living at my friend's while my flat is being redecorated. - I live with a friend while my apartment is being renovated. (This is a temporary action, the renovation will be completed and I will return to my apartment)

He likes science fiction but this month he is reading historical novels as it's the topic of this month. - He loves science fiction, but this month he is reading historical novels because that's the theme of this month. (The action is temporary, the topic will end and he will read fiction again)

She is working as a secretary these days. - AT given time she works as a secretary. (This is a casual job)

3. Changing and progressive actions (Changing or developing situations)

If you are watching any process and see the changes taking place, then you should use Present Continuous. Often used with paired adjectives in comparative degree: more and more, better and better.

It is becoming a client and colder. - It's getting colder and colder.
The flowers are becoming more and more beautiful. - The flowers are getting more and more beautiful.
It is getting hotter. I will have a break. - It's getting hotter. I'll take a break.

4. Plans and agreements. (Arrangements)

The present continuous also has a future meaning. It can denote personal plans and arrangements for the near future. Often with indications of place and time. In Russian, we use the present tense in the same way to express the future action that we have planned:

Mr. Smith is leaving tomorrow at 11.00. - Mr. Smith leaves tomorrow at 11.00.
I am taking my exam tomorrow so I am studying tonight. - I'm taking the exam tomorrow, so I'm studying tonight.
We are meeting the manager tomorrow at 10 o'clock. We are meeting with the manager tomorrow at 10 o'clock.

5. At the beginning of the story to create an atmosphere. (Setting the scene)

If you are going to tell a story, you can use the Present Continuous to create a setting, to give the listeners an opportunity to imagine the situation. You can use the word Imagine(Imagine).

The Present Simple is used to describe the main events.

He is walking through the dark forest. It is raining and the wind is blowing. - He's coming through dark forest. It's raining and the wind is blowing.
Imagine: you are in the garden. The sun shining is and the birds are singing. Imagine you are in a garden. The sun is shining and the birds are singing.

6. Frequently repeated actions to convey irritation or surprise (Annoying or surprising actions)

Always is considered a typical Present Simple marker, but this adverb can be used with the Present Continuous to express an action that is repeated too often: constantly, all the time. Such actions either irritate us or surprise us.

Except always, can be used constantly and continuously.

My sister is always leaving her dirty dishes on the table. My sister constantly leaves dirty dishes on the table.
You are constantly interrupting me! - You interrupt me all the time!
I am always meeting you in this shop. - I always meet you in this store.

Comparative characteristics present simple and Present Continuous you'll find .

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