Present Continuous - formation and use. Present Continuous - present continuous tense in English

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 is going on at the moment of 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 - You speak 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 with -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 with -ie, then -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 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. You can find a more detailed list of 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 a subordinate clause of time or a condition after conjunctions.

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 present continuous tense, 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 a 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 the ending ING is added.
		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-travelling	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 a stressed syllable, then the R is doubled	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 is 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. She is currently working 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 comparative paired adjectives: 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 walking through a 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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Dear readers of the English Voyage blog! Today you will learn how to use one more tense of the English verb In the grammar tables below, we will look at the formation of affirmative, interrogative and negative forms Present Continuous (Progressive). After tables and a useful video, you will be able to translate Russian sentences into English using the present continuous tense. If you do not confuse forms and translate sentences with am, is, are without errors, then you will easily remember the formation of time.

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

Time Present Continuous used:

to describe an action happening at the moment of speaking. For example: She is singing a song now. She is singing a song now.

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

to describe repetitive actions that cause irritation, disapproval of the speaker. Especially with phrases like always, constantly, repeatedly, which are translated, as a rule, into Russian by the word "forever". For example: You are always shouting at me! You always yell at me!

marker words(read more about marker words in the article) for 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 the state of the soul, body or mind, as well as ongoing relationships. State verbs include the following English verbs: appear (meaning "appear"), assume - believe, be - be, believe - believe, count, belong - belong, consider (meaning "count"), consist - consist, contain - contain, cost - cost, depend - depend, detest - to be disgusted, envy - to envy, equal - to be equal, exist - to exist, expect - to expect, feel (in the meanings "cause a sensation", "to be touched" and "count"), fit - to be fit, forget - forget, hate - hate, have (meaning "possess"), hear - hear, include - include, know - know, lack - lack, like - like, look (meaning "look"), love - love, matter - to matter, mean - to mean, need - to need, owe - to be due, own - to own, possess - to possess, prefer - to prefer, realize - to realize, remember - to remember, see (in the meanings of "perceive by sight", "understand" ), seem - to seem, smell (meaning "smell"), taste (meaning "to have a taste"), tend - to tend, think (meaning "to count"), understand - understand at, want - want, wish - wish, weigh (meaning "weigh"). We will look at state verbs in more detail in future posts.

THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS (PROGRESSIVE) TENSE

affirmative form

Structure			Examples
I	am	V+ing	I am listening to music. I listen to music.
	is		He is listening to music. He is listening to music. She is listening to music. She's listening to music. It is getting dark. It's getting dark.
	are		We are reading. We reading. You are reading. You read. They are reading. They are reading.
Notice the suggestion to after the word listen which should be used always after this verb. The omission of to after listen is

Interrogative form

(yes/no questions - general questions) ?

Structure			Examples
Am	I	V+ing?	— Am I reading? I am reading? - Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
Is			Is he reading? He reads? - Yes, he is. / No, he isn't. Is she reading? She reads? - Yes, she is. / No, she isn't. Is it getting dark? Is it getting dark? - Yes, it is. / No, it isn't.
Are			Are we coming back? Are we going back? - Yes, we are. / No, we aren't. Are you coming back? Are you coming back? - Yes, you are. / No, you aren't. Are they coming back? Are they coming back? - Yes, they are. / No, they aren't.

Interrogative form

(WH-? - special questions) ?

negative form

Structure			Examples
I	am not	V+ing	I am not dancing. (= I'm not) I don't dance.
	is not		He is not singing. (= He isn't) He doesn't sing. She is not having dinner. (= She isn't) She doesn't have dinner. It is not raining now. (= It isn't) It's not raining now.
	are not		We are not working. (= We aren't) We don't work. You are not laughing. (= You aren't) You are not laughing. They are not looking at me. (= They aren't) They don't look at me.

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

So, today we have considered the formation of Present Continuous. If you have any questions about the topic or need additional explanations, write in the comments. I will gladly answer all questions. Expect new articles in the rubric.

Present Continuous Tense (or Present Progressive Tense) is translated from English as "real long time". In English speech, it is used on a par with Present Simple, with the same frequency, and occupies an important place in grammar.

When Present Continuous is used - when it is required to emphasize the duration of the action in the present. The limits of "duration" can be different: the action can last indefinitely or take a certain period of time - all these are cases of using Present Continuous.

Present Continuous - the formation of sentences of different types

Statement

According to the rules of the English language, any sentence is built in a certain order. In affirmative sentences, the subject takes the first place, the predicate - the second. In Present Continuous, the predicate is made up of the auxiliary verb to be and the main (semantic) verb that expresses the action. To be takes the correct form (am, is, are) depending on the subject, and the main verb takes on the ending -ing.

1. Formula: I am + verb-ing Example: I am singing - I sing.
2. Formula: He/She/It is + verb-ing Examples: He is smiling - He smiles. She is dancing - She is dancing. It is shining - It shines.
3. Formula: We/You/They are + verb-ing Examples: We are listening - We are listening. You are reading - You are reading. They are swimming - They swim.

Adding the ending -ing to the verb is a general rule. However, adding an ending can transform the stem of some verbs when forming the Present Continuous.

1. Verb ends in -e Rule: the last letter is discarded Example: make - making (to do)
2. Verb ends in -ie Rule: -ie is replaced by -y Example: lie - lying
3. One-syllable verb ending in a vowel followed by a consonant Rule: the last consonant is doubled Example: get - getting (to receive)

Negation

When the Present Continuous is used in negative sentences, the auxiliary and main verbs are separated by not.

1. Formula: I am not + verb-ing Example: I am not singing - I don't sing.
2. Formula: He/She/It is not + verb-ing Examples: He is not smiling - He does not smile. She is not dancing - She does not dance. It is not shining - It does not shine.
3. Formula: We/You/They are not + verb-ing Examples: We are not listening - We are not listening. You are not reading - You are not reading. They are not swimming - They do not swim.

Question

In cases of using Present Continuous in interrogative sentences, the auxiliary verb takes the first place, followed by the subject and then the main verb.

1. Formula: Am I + verb-ing Example: Am I singing? - I sing?
2. Formula: Is He/She/It + Verb-ing Examples: Is he smiling? - He smiles? She is dancing? - She is dancing? Is it shining? - Does it shine?
3. Formula: Are We/You/They + Verb-ing Examples: Are we listening? - We listen? Are you reading? - You read? Are they swimming? - They are swimming?

Present Continuous - use in typical cases

1. The action is happening right now, at the moment of speaking. You can also use the Present construct.

Continuous for several actions occurring simultaneously in the present. Marker words: now (now), at the moment (at the moment).

Example: She is eating apple while I am drinking juice - She is eating an apple while I am drinking juice. (two actions happening at the same time)

2. The action is extended in time and takes place in the present, but is not limited to the present second. It started some time ago and will continue for some time. During this period of time, the indicated action is performed.

Marker words: now (now), currently (now, now), these days (These days, one of these days).

Example: We are moving into a new house - We are moving to a new house. (We are busy with the process of moving and will continue it, but at the time of speaking we are not specifically engaged in this, we are just in a state of moving)

3. The situation is temporary.

Marker words: until (not yet), for (during), during (during).

Example: He is staying in New York for three months - He has been living in New York for three months. (in three months, for some reason, he will leave New York, his stay in this city will end; this situation is temporary, he permanently lives, for example, in Moscow, and is in New York for work or in connection with study)

4. The action is developing or constantly changing, the sentence often contains certain verbs to denote it. The description of the process of change is a case of using the Present Continuous. Marker words: get (become), change (change), rise (rise), fall (fall), grow (grow), become (become), start (begin), improve (improve), begin (begin). Example: Your English is getting better - Your English is getting better. (there is a gradual increase in your level of English)

Special Uses of the Present Continuous Construction

1. The case is planned and will certainly be done in the near future, often with a date, place or some other details.

Marker words: this / next week (this / next week), tonight (evening), today (today), tomorrow (tomorrow), this / next year (this / next year), this / next weekend (this /next weekend).

Example: Next week we are buying a new car - Next week we are buying a new car. (we have not just decided, but have already chosen the brand of the car and the car dealership where the purchase will be made)

2. We are talking about an action in the present that affects the near future with the use of verbs denoting movement.

Marker words: go (go), move (move), leave (leave), start (start), come (come), return (return).

Example: I'm tired. I am going to bed. - I'm tired. I am going to sleep. (Right now I'm feeling tired and I'll go to bed right after I report this)

3. Speech is emotionally colored, the speaker is dissatisfied, annoyed or outraged by something that constantly happens.

Marker words: all the time (all the time), always (always), constantly (constantly)

Example: You are always interrupting me! - You keep interrupting me! (you do it all the time and it annoys me)

4. Present Continuous - cases of use with state verbs.

According to the rules, such verbs in English are not used in the present tense, since they denote feelings, mental processes that have no time limits - these verbs express a state rather than an action.

However, if the meaning of such a verb you need is a specific action that has a beginning and an end, then the phrase can be built according to the Present Continuous formula.

Marker words: to love (to love), to feel (to feel), to wish (to wish), to think (to think), to see (to see), to look (to look), to smell (to smell), to have (to have ) other

Examples: The steak tastes good. - This steak tastes great. (the steak cooked according to this recipe is always delicious) The chef is tasting the steak. - The chef is tasting the steak. (he is doing it at the moment)

The use of Present Continuous in difficult cases

1. It's about something new versus the old.

Example: He has left university, now he is working with his friend - He left the university and is now working with his friend.

2. We are talking about the unusual behavior of a certain person, he suddenly began to behave differently than before.

Example: She is eating too much - She eats too much. (before that, she did not have such a good appetite)

3. Present Continuous is used in subordinate clauses of time after conjunctions. The sentence refers to two actions, one of which is single or “short” (Present Simple), the second is long (Present Continuous). For an action that occurs “in the background”, use Present Continuous, and for an event interrupting it, use Present Simple.

Marker words: as long as (while), when (when), in case (if), if (if), while (while), unless (not yet).

Example: I try not to make noise in case my daughter is reading her book - I try not to make noise when my daughter is reading.