What is present continuous. Auxiliary words Present Continuous. Formation of question and negation

Present Continuous seems incomprehensible to many students, because there is no such analogue in our native language. Let's see how the present is formed and in what cases it is used. long time to make friends with him once and for all.

The present continuous (Present Continuous) in some textbooks is called Present Progressive - remember that these are the same thing. Most often, the Present Continuous describes an action that takes place over a period of time in the present. But this time has other functions as well. We will show you how to use it correctly depending on the specific situation.

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Present Continuous time is formed according to the scheme:

In order not to make a mistake in writing a verb with the ending -ing, pay attention to the following rules:

• if the verb ends in a vowel -e, then it is omitted: bake - baking;
• when the verb ends in vowels -ie, they change to -y: tie - tying;
• if the verb ends in one consonant letter, before which there is a stressed vowel, then the consonant letter at the end is doubled: let - letting, begin - beginning, regret - regretting.

Affirmative sentence:

She is petting her dog now. - She is now strokes your dog.

In a negative sentence, the particle not is placed between the auxiliary and main verbs.

She is not (isn't) petting her dog now. - She is now does not iron your dog.

In an interrogative sentence, the auxiliary verb comes first, followed by the subject and the main form of the verb.

Is she petting her dog now? - She is now strokes your dog?

Below you can see how the Present Continuous is formed in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences.

Cases of using Present Continuous

Consider examples of the use of Present Continuous, starting with the simplest and gradually moving towards more complex ones.

For beginner and intermediate levels

1. The Present Continuous is used to describe an action that is happening at the current time:

   Listen! The music is playing. - Listen! Music plays.
   Hush! The kids are sleeping. - Shh! Children are sleeping.

   In such a situation, marker words are often found: now (now), right now (at this very minute), at the moment (at the moment), at present (at present). These are some kind of pointers to the present continuous tense.

   Steve is watching TV at the moment. - Now Steve looks television.

2. The present continuous is used to describe ongoing actions in the present, even if they are not happening at the moment of speaking. That is, for some time we periodically perform this action:

   Jessica is learning French. - Jessica teaches French. (she has been studying French for a while now and will continue to learn it, but she is not busy learning French right now)

   In this situation, such present continuous marker words as now, these days, currently are also often found. They are translated "now", "currently".

   Pete is currently training to participate in the Olympics. - Pete currently training to participate in the Olympic Games. (he now goes to training and will continue them until Olympic Games but right now he is not in training)

3. Present Continuous is used to describe the changes that occur in a situation and the development process. In such constructions, the action is often conveyed by the verbs to get (become), to increase (increase / increase), to decrease (decrease / decrease), to rise (rise), to fall (fall), to start (start / begin), to change (change / change), etc.

   An average day temperature is slowly increasing. - Average temperature gradually increases.
   The petrol is getting cheaper day by day. - Fuel every day getting cheaper.

4. The present continuous can be used to indicate events in the near future, but only if it concerns planned actions. The future in such sentences is indicated by time, days of the week or the words tomorrow (tomorrow), next week (next week), next month (next month), next year (next year).

   Cris is buying a new phone tomorrow. - Tomorrow Chris will buy new phone. (he has already chosen a model, put money on the phone)
   We are flying to India next week. - Next week we we fly to India. (the trip is already planned, the tickets are bought, the trip will definitely take place)

   Speaking about the near future, we often use verbs of motion: to go (to go), to leave (to leave), to come (to come). These verbs show that the action will be performed immediately or in the near future.

   I don't feel well. I am going to bed. - I do not feel myself well. I I'm going sleep. (I will take this action immediately)
   I "m coming in 5 minutes. Can you meet me up? - I I will come In 5 minutes. Will you meet me? (I'm already on my way and I'll be right back.)

5. Present Continuous helps to express dissatisfaction or irritation when used with the words constantly (constantly), all the time (all the time), always (always). So we show that some regular or frequently occurring action causes negative emotions.

   Susan is always leaving her coffee mug in the sink. - Susan constantly leaves your coffee cup in the sink. (action is performed regularly, and the speaker is unhappy with this situation)

6. There are verbs that are not used in Present Continuous. We are talking about state verbs (stative verbs), which express feelings and thought processes: to know (to know), to forget (to forget), to notice (to notice), to understand (to understand), to recognize (to learn), to remember ( remember), to love (to love), to hate (to hate), to want (to want), to need (to need), to believe (to believe), to hear (to hear), etc.

   I know which bus to take to get home. - I I know which bus to take to get home. (knowledge is my state, not action)

For high level

The present continuous tense in English can also be used in the following situations:

1. There are verbs that in one sense are state verbs and cannot be used in the present continuous tense, and in another sense act as action verbs and can be used in Present Continuous. Let's look at examples:

   to think - consider, believe (state) and to think - reflect (action)
   to see - see (state) and to see - meet, see (action)
   to have - to have (state) and to have as part stable expression, for example, to have breakfast (have breakfast), to have a good time (have a good time)

   I think it is a nice jacket. - I I think that this is a good jacket. (it's my opinion)
   What are you thinking about? - what are you talking about think? (Currently)

   The use of the Present Continuous form with some state verbs (to attract - to attract, to like - to like, to love - to love) is possible when the speaker wants to emphasize the temporality of his feelings.

   Usually I don't like music festivals, but I am loving this one. - I usually do not like music festivals, but this one is me love. (the speaker emphasizes that he likes this particular festival now.)

   We use some verbs that describe thought processes (to realize - to realize, to understand - to understand, to regret - to regret), we use in Present Continuous to emphasize that we have just begun to think about something and have not yet formed our final opinion.

   I "m realizing how wrong I was. - I began to understand how was wrong.

   Verbs that describe physical sensations (to feel - to feel, to hurt / to ache - to hurt) can be used both in Present Simple and Present Continuous without much difference in meaning.

   I am feeling sad today. = I feel sad today. - I'm sad today.
   my head is teaching. = My head ache. - I have a head hurts.

2. We can also use the static verb to be in Present Continuous if we want to emphasize that a person’s behavior is uncharacteristic for him.

   He is being weird after he lost his job. - He acting strange after he lost his job. (i.e. it usually behaves differently)

3. We can use the Present Continuous and Present Simple tenses together to make our story sound more dynamic. In this case, the action in the Present Simple takes place against the background of the action in the Present Continuous, interrupting it and creating a sense of suddenness.

   two guys are walking through a game park and they come across a lion that has not eaten for days. - Two boys go through the wild animal park, when they suddenly stumble on a lion that hasn't eaten in days.

How not to confuse Present Continuous and Present Simple

It is worth considering the most common situations in which one time from the Present group can be mistaken for another:

1. Present Continuous is used to describe situations and actions that the speaker considers temporary. Present Simple describes situations that the speaker perceives as permanent.

   Linda is working at the ice cream shop during summer. - Summer Linda works in an ice cream shop. (when summer ends, Linda will no longer work at this place)
   Sam works as a manager at the ice cream shop. - Sam works manager at an ice cream shop. (this is his regular job)

2. If we are describing repetitive actions that are related to the present moment, we use the Present Continuous. And if they are not connected with the present moment, we use Present Simple.

   I "m speaking with my mom a lot these days. - Recently, I often I say with mom on the phone. (there is a connection with the current moment)
   I speak with my aunt who lives in New York twice a year. - Twice a year talking with his aunt who lives in New York. (no connection to the present moment)

3. The Present Continuous describes an action that is happening at the present moment. Present Simple is used to describe facts that remain true at any given time.

   Kathy is speaking with her father at the moment. - Now Katy He speaks with his father. (she is speaking at the present time, the conversation will be over)
   Kathy speaks English. - Katy He speaks in English. (she can speak English, this statement remains a fact at any given time)

We suggest taking a test to consolidate the rules for using Present Continuous.

Test on the topic "Present Continuous - Present Continuous in English"

All the information we absorb not only finds a place in our head and memory, but is also transformed into images. To make this process faster and more efficient, you can use tables and diagrams.

To pay attention to what is happening now, at the moment of the conversation or not far from it, the Present Continuous time helps. You can perceive information both in the text and in the table. Which method is right for you, decide for yourself. Let's structure all the information about the present continuous tense and try to "shove" it into the table.

Education

A visually presented table will help to understand and compare the features education this time. In order not to clutter up the space, and not to scatter attention, consider construction of various proposals in the table present continuous using the example to swim. Negative and questions in this tense are quite easy to understand and remember.

Use

How and when to use these forms is the most difficult. Everything can be structured and understood. table present continuous by application time in speech.

But not everything is so cloudless and simple, many Verbs in Present Continuous they go out of the ordinary. Exceptions are:

Some of these verbs have special cases of use, which you can read about in more detail in our other.

Having studied all this material, having done a bunch of exercises, you can proceed to comprehend passive voice. Present Continuous Passive built according to the following scheme:

Passive voice requires additional, more thorough study. And this table will be a support, a cheat sheet on the formation of the passive voice in the present continuous tense.

Easy, concise and accessible material presented in the table will help you quickly learn all the material.

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.

* 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:

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 set the scene, 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 considered to be 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 keeps leaving 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 will find .

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Continuous Time Meaning and Translation:

The tenses of the Continuous group denote actions that are taking place (have been taking place, will be taking place) at exactly the specified time - the present, the past and the future. Additional characteristics of such actions are their incompleteness, dynamism, visibility. This can be seen from the comparison of infinitives:
To work - work (Indefinite)
To be working - literally be working (Continuous), that is, it shows the process as unfinished, ongoing.

For example, you can say. Our children read and Our children are reading. Both sentences are translated as: Our children read.
But in the first Present case Indefinite you give only the most general idea: Our children read in the sense that they know how and love to read. At the moment of pronouncing these words, children may not dance, but learn lessons, play, dance.
But the sentence Our children are reading paints a concrete picture of children reading: They are reading now.

The formation of the Continuous form is due to the auxiliary verb to be.

Present Continuous (Present Continuous)

Present Continuous (Present Continuous) is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the present tense and the 4th main form of the verb.

Note 1:

It is worth noting that the forms of the singular and plural match.
You are asking. You ask.
You're asking.

Note 2:

In colloquial English, short forms are usually used instead of full forms: isn't, aren't

Present Continuous (Present Continuous) is used in the following cases:

1. To express an action, an event taking place at the present time or at the moment of speech. Indicates that the action currently taking place began before this moment and will continue after it.
An indication of time like now (now), at the moment (at the moment) can be either expressed or implied.

She is answering (at this moment). She is in charge (currently)
She is studying at school (now). She is now in school.
He is writing a letter. He is now writing a letter.
I'm sitting in the park. I am sitting in the park.
Young woman is reading a book. A young woman is reading a book.

2. To express a future action (similar to in Russian), when there is an intention to perform an action or confidence in its commission.
In this case, the adverb indicates the future: soon (soon), tomorrow (tomorrow), next week (next week).

Liza is arriving in Moscow soon. Liza will soon arrive in Moscow.
They are leaving London tonight. Today they leave London.

Note:

With state verbs:

To love (to love);
- to think (think);
- to want (want);
- to live (live);
- to be (everyday life, to be);
- to feel (feel);
- to see (see);
- to know (to know);
- to remember (remember);
- to hear (to hear);
- to stay (to stay);

Present Continuous (Present Continuous) is not used.

The exception is the case when they want to show that this state is temporary.

How are you feeling? - Great. How do you feel? - Fabulous.
I know I'm being a stupid. But I don't know to do. I know that I'm acting stupid. But I don't know what to do.

Past Continuous (Past Continuous)

Past Continuous (Past Continuous) is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the past tense and the 4th main form of the verb.

Past Continuous (Past Continuous) is used in the following cases:

1. To express an action that took place (lasted) at a certain moment in the past, which is indicated either by a circumstance of time or by another action in the past. However, neither the beginning nor the end of the long-term action is known.

You were reading a book at 5 o'clock. You were reading a book at five o'clock.
You were reading a book when they came. I was reading a book when they arrived.
At the weekend I was preparing for my exams. At the weekend I was preparing for my exams.

2. To express a long-term action that took place in a certain period of time in the past (from five to six, all day long, the whole day yesterday)

I was writing letters the whole day yesterday. I wrote letters all day yesterday.

Important!
In this case, the beginning and end of the action are unknown, the only important thing is that it lasted the entire specified period of time.
In both cases, 1 and 2 Past Continuous is used when it is necessary to emphasize the process of action itself, its duration.
If only the fact of the action is important, then Past Indefinite is used.

In addition, Past Continuous can be used to express simultaneous actions that took place in the past at the same moment.

The children were playing in the yard while their mother was watching TV. The children were playing in the garden while the mother was watching TV.

As I was taking a shower, my girlfriend was cooking breakfast. While I was taking a shower, my girlfriend was preparing breakfast.

3. Past Continuous (Past continuous) is used with verbs of motion to express a future action that is planned in the past and is considered from the point of view of the past.

My mom was glad that I was leaving for Moscow. My mother was glad that I was going to Moscow.
They said that I was returning the next week. They said I'm coming back next week.
She wrote she was arriving on Sunday. She wrote that she was coming on Sunday.

Note 1:

The Past Continuous, like the Present Continuous, is usually not used with state verbs. State verbs are used in the Past Continuous only when it is emphasized that this state is temporary.

Note 2:

Past Continuous sometimes expresses someone's constant characteristic in the past. In the sentence in this case there are adverbs always, constantly.

He was always coming and staying for hours giving pointless advice and asking endless questions.
He always came and sat for hours giving useless advice and asking endless questions.

Future Continuous (Future Continued)

Future Continuous (Future Continuous) expresses a future action in the process of its completion, i.e. an unfinished long-term action. Formed with the help of the auxiliary verb to be in the future tense and the 4th main form of the verb.

Future Continuous (Future Continuous) is used:

1. To express a long-term action that will begin up to a certain moment in the future and will still continue, last at this moment. This may be indicated by the circumstance of time (at that moment, at six o'clock, at midnight)

At seven o'clock tomorrow she will be having an exam. Tomorrow at seven o'clock she will take the exam.
If you ring him up at midnight, she won't answer. She will be sleeping. If you call her at midnight, she won't answer. She will sleep.

2. To express a long-term action that will be performed at a certain period of time in the future.

Don't call my friend tonight between 7 and 11. She will be wring a letter. Don't call my friend between 7 and 11 o'clock. She will write a letter.
I shall be reading the whole day tomorrow. I will be reading all day tomorrow.

3. To express the intention to perform an action in the future or confidence in its commission.

I shall be reading tonight. I'm going to read tonight.
She will be visiting me tomorrow. Tomorrow she is going to visit me.

Long time. Forms sentences with the help of the auxiliary verb to be (translated in English 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 a long time).

Consider the use of the present continuouse. Suggestion examples:

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

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

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

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

We are speaking English now. - We speak English 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" is a late dinner in a homely family environment.

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 cases 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. Suggestion examples:

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 together with the semantic verb in the present continuous. Suggestion examples:

He is not writing. - He is not writing.

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 full forms of negation are rarely used. In colloquial language, abbreviations are used: isn "t in the singular or aren" t in the plural.

Important rules for using this tense

Using the present continuous. Usage rules:

1. The specified time is used to express a specific action that is taking place at the present moment or period, that is, right now. This is precisely what temporary additions to sentences 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 denoting the state of an object, and not its action:

to want - want;

to feel - feel;

to love - to love;

to think - to think;

to like - like, love;

to be - to be;

to live - live;

to hate - hate;

to stay - stay;

to hear - to hear;

to remember - remember;

to see - to see some other English verbs.

But sometimes these state verbs are still used to emphasize the temporary state in the present continuous. Suggestion examples:

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 help it (that is, I'm acting like a child just 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 it (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. Suggestion examples:

We are going to the cinema tonight. We are going to go to the cinema tonight.

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

Present Perfect Continuous Forms

Or, as it is also called, progressive in English are a kind of derivative from the present continuous tense.

You can get it with the help of 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 the auxiliary verb in the continuous tense (with the ending -ing).

Present perfect continuous - examples of 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 in the morning.

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

2) Ordinary and constantly occurring action with an indication of the time period for the continuation of the action. At the same time, 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 been 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 the action. At the same time, if the fact of the perfection of the 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 been living here since 1956 (that is, the episode of the action that has already happened is emphasized).

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

5) This time is also used in interrogative sentences to indicate the period that precedes the moment of speech (a given moment in time). In this case, it is typical to use the appropriate question words and constructions - how long - how much time, how long; since when - from 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 what time) has she been sitting there?

Present continuous passive

The 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 continuous time) + the second form of the semantic verb.

Let's look at the present continuous passive, examples of 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. - A delicious dinner is being prepared now.

If the present tense in such a voice changes to the past, then in 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.