Present Continuous - rules and examples. Present Continuous tense in English

Present Progressive (Present Continuous) tense- present continuous tense. In most cases, this tense indicates that the action is happening right now. For us Russians, Present Continuous may seem too difficult to understand at first. This is not surprising, because in Russian there are no such verb tenses. For example, the sentence “I play the balalaika” in Russian can mean that I am playing now or that I am playing at all (I know how to play). IN English that's two different offers. However, we also use some verbs differently in different situations.

In general terms: if we want to say that the action is happening right now, then we use the Present Continuous (Present Progressive) form. But this is not the only case of using this temporary form. But more on this later. First, let's answer the question - How is Present Progressive (Continuous) formed?

Formation of Present Continuous: elementary rules and examples

The Present Progressive is formed quite simply: we take the verb to be, put it in the appropriate form for the subject (we change it in accordance with the subject - I am, he is, my mother is and so on) and add the corresponding verb with the ending ing, which is “attached” to its base.

Too difficult? Let's look at a diagram illustrating this process.

Still not clear? Okay, let's look at examples. To do this, let's take the verb to think- think. Since it ends in a consonant, then when adding ing nothing will be discarded, that is, we will get - thinking. If we want to say “I think” (about something in at the moment), then we will succeed - I am thinking. Now with other people:

Negative and interrogative forms are formed very simply:

Question form	Negative form

Am I think ing? - I think?	I am don't think ing. - I don't think (I'm not thinking.)
Are you think ing? - You think?	You are don't think ing. - You don't think so. (You aren't thinking.)
Is he think ing? - Does he think?	He is don't think ing. - He doesn't think. (He isn't thinking.)
Is she think ing? - Does she think?	She is don't think ing. - She doesn't think. (She isn't thinking.)
Is it think ing? - Does it think?	It is don't think ing. - It doesn't think. (It isn't thinking.)
Are we think ing? - We think?	We are don't think ing. - We don't think so. (We're not thinking.)
Are they think ng? - Do they think?	They are don't think ing. - They don't think. (They aren't thinking.)

Rules for using the Present Continuous and examples

Forming the Present Continuous form is quite simple. The most difficult thing is correct usage of this form. The point is that there are several cases when it is necessary to use the Present Continuous tense and not some other tense. Briefly, all these cases are indicated using a diagram:

This scheme is not yet entirely clear to us, but it will be useful in order to quickly remember the main cases of using the present progressive.

So, Present Continuous is used:

1. Designation of what is happening or not happening now, at the moment (now, at the moment).

I’m studying the present continuous . - I have been studying the present for a long time.
I'm not watching TV at the moment. — I’m not watching TV at the moment.
I'm sitting now.- Now I'm sitting.
I'm using the Internet. — I use the Internet.
We're talking about life. — We talk about life.
She's not listening to me. — She doesn’t listen to me (now).

2. Designation of what is happening now in the broad sense of the word - today, this month, this year, and so on. Temporary situations that we feel or know will not last.

I am studying to become a teacher. — I am studying to become a teacher (for example, 5 years).
Are you working on any special projects at work? —Are you (now) working on some kind of work project?
I’m living in Moscow for a few months. — I’ve been living in Moscow for several months.
I'm reading a great book. — I am reading a wonderful book (Now, these days. Reading a book is a long process).
He’s living with his mother until he finds an apartment. — He lives with his mother until he finds an apartment.

3. New or temporary habits that have not always existed.

My father is smoking too much . (He used to smoke less or not at all).
My cat’s eating a lot these days . (She never ate so much before).

4. Repetitive, annoying actions, habits using always, constantly, forever:

I don’t like him because he is always complaining.
They're forever being late.
My sister is always losing her keys.

5. Plans for the near future

I’m leaving at 5 am. — I leave at 5 am.
Are you visiting your parents next weekend? — Will you visit your parents next weekend?
I am not going to the party tonight. — I won't go to the party today.

6. Situation change (usually slow) - little by little, gradually etc.

My son is getting better at playing the guitar.
The weather is improving.

These were all the rules of education and using the present continuous (the present progressive).

English verb tenses, as a rule, fill all students with sacred horror. Still - there are as many as 16 of them! But the devil is not as scary as he is painted. We will try to explain it to you as simply as possible, especially since for starters you can limit yourself to 4 times. In today's post we will look at the Present Continuous Tense.

To better understand English verb tenses, it is not necessary to remember their name. It will be enough to clearly know three things: 1) when the action occurs; 2) how it is formed required form verb; 3) which one auxiliary verb.

The Present Continuous Tense - Present Continuous Tense

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

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

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

Let's look at 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 writing a letter now.” The predicate verb is the word “I am writing”, and it is this that we must put in the Present Continuous Tense. Since the subject is “I,” we take the form of the verb “am” and add the ending ing to the predicate verb 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.

IN interrogative form The auxiliary verb comes first (Are you eating now?). IN negative form not is “attached” specifically to the auxiliary verb (He isn’t sleeping now).

For clarity, let’s conjugate our sentence “I am writing a letter” by person 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 form of the verb) does not change.

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

We are drinking tea now – We are drinking tea now
I am not reading now – I am not reading now
Are you working now? – 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 that are not used in the present continuous tense, these are the so-called verbs of feeling and perception:

With these verbs, even if the action is happening at the moment, we use:

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.

Present is translated as “present” and tells us that the action is being performed at the moment. Continuous is translated as “long/long” and indicates that the action began some time ago and is still ongoing.

Present Continuous is a long time. We use it when we want to say that something is in progress. For example, I am swimming, that is, I am in the process of swimming. Present Simple it simply shows the fact of one or another action without a process. Let's look at examples.

1. Present Simple

I drive a car.
I drive a car.

2. Present Continuous

I am driving a car.
I'm driving.

In Russian, these two sentences are translated almost identically, n But in English they express completely different meanings:

1) the simple fact that I know how to drive a car: I have a license and I can drive it.

2) I'm driving: I've been driving a car for some time now and now I'm still driving the car, that is, I'm in the process of driving.

Now let's take a closer look at exactly in which cases we use Present Continuous.

Using Present Continuous Tense

The simple continuous tense is used in several cases.

1. When we talk about an action that is happening now (at the moment).

That is, the action began some time ago and is now still ongoing (in process).
Example: “She is dancing” - she is in the process of dancing; “Children play with toys” - they are in the process of playing.

2. An action that is currently being performed, but not necessarily at the moment.

By this we emphasize the process of its duration.
Example: “He is studying at the university” - he is in the process of studying; “She's working on a big project” - she's in the process of working on a project.

Affirmative sentences in Present Continuous Tense

An affirmative sentence is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the present tense (am, are, is) and the ending -ing, which is added to the verb denoting action.

The one in question + am/are/is + verb + -ing.

I	am
You
We	are	playing
They		swimming
She		cooking
He	is
It

For example

They are watch ing TV.
They are watching TV.

I am drink ing tea
I'm drinking tea.

He is smoke ing now.
He smokes now.

Rules for adding the ending -ing

There are several things to consider when adding -ing endings to verbs.

If the verb ends in -e, then the letter e we remove and add to the verb -ing:

danc e- danc ing- dance;
mov e-mov ing-; move.

If the verb is short, we double the last consonant:

si t- si ting- sit;
ba n-ba nning- forbid.

Exceptions: verbs ending in -x And - w:

mi x- mi xing- mix;
flo w-flo wing- leak.

If the verb ends in -ie, then we replace this ending with -y:

l ie- l ying- lie;
t ie-t ying- tie.

Words indicating time

The following words can help us determine that this is the Present Continuous:

now - now;
at the moment - at the moment.

Let's look at examples.

They are running now.
They are running now.

I am eating now.
I'm eating now.

We are working at the moment.
We are working at the moment.

She is having a break at the moment.
She's on a break at the moment.

Verbs not used in Present Continuous Tense

Some English verbs are never used at this time.

1. Verbs expressing feelings

The Present Continuous does not use verbs that are associated with the senses (sight, hearing, touch, etc.).

hear - to hear,
smell - smell,
feel - feel, etc.

2. Verbs expressing mental state

forget - forget,
know - to know
understand - to understand, etc.

3. Verbs expressing emotions and desires

love - to love,
want - want,
like - like, etc.

4. Verbs expressing possession of something

have - to have,
possess - to possess, etc.

Why aren't these verbs used in the Present Continuous?

As we have already seen, this tense is used to emphasize that the action is in progress: we started doing it some time ago, we are doing it now, but after some time we will finish doing it.

To be used in our continuous tense, a verb must be able to last. For example: to cook - you started cooking, you are cooking now, after some time you will finish.

Returning to our exception verbs. We cannot start smelling (smelling) or hearing (hearing) and finish this process after some time. This is what we do all the time. We are talking about the fact that we can smell and hear. Likewise, forgetting, understanding, or emotions cannot be processes, because otherwise it turns out that these processes began once, are now continuing, and will end someday.

Negative form in Present Continuous Tense

Negation is constructed as an affirmative sentence, only the negative particle not is added to our verb to be.

The one in question + am/are/is + not + verb + -ing.

I	am
You
We	are		playing
They		not	cooking
She			swimming
He	is
It

Examples

We are not do ing our homework now.
We don't homework Now.

She is not driv ing at the moment.
She is not driving at the moment.

I am not listen ing music now.
I don't listen to music now.

Question form in Present Continuous Tense

To ask if someone is doing something right now, we put the verb to be first.

Am/are/is + the one in question + verb + -ing?

Am	I
	you
Are	we	playing?
	they	cooking?
	she	swimming?
Is	he
	it

Statement

I am read ing the book.
I'm reading a book.

You are swimm ing in a pool.
You are swimming in the pool.

She is clean ing her room now.
She is cleaning the room now.

The question and a positive answer (our “yes”) will look like this:

Question	Short answer (contains the verb to be)	Full answer (constructed as an affirmative sentence)
Am I read ing the book? Am I reading a book?	Yes, I am. Yes, I read.	Yes, I am read ing the book. Yes, I'm reading a book.
Are you swimm ing in a pool? Do you swim in the pool?	Yes, you are. Yes, you are swimming.	Yes, you are swimm ing in a pool. Yes, you are swimming in the pool.
Is she clean ing her room now? Is she cleaning the room now?	Yes, she is. Yes, she cleans.	Yes, she is clean ing her room now. Yes, she is cleaning the room now.

Negative answers (our “no”) will look like this:

Question	Short answer (contains the verb to be + not)	Full answer (constructed as a negative sentence)
Am I read ing the book? Am I reading a book?	No, I amnot. No, I don't read.	No, I am not read ing the book. No, I'm not reading a book.
Are you swimm ing in a pool? Do you swim in the pool?	No, you arenot. No, you don't swim.	No, you are not swimm ing in a pool. No, you don't swim in the pool.
Is she clean ing her room now? Is she cleaning the room now?	No, she isnot. No, she doesn't clean.	No, she is not clean ing her room now. No, she's not cleaning the room now.

Examples

Are are they playing tennis?
Do they play tennis?

Yes, they are.
Yes, they are playing.

Are are they playing tennis?
Do they play tennis?

No, they are not.
No, they don't play.

Is he sleepingnow?
Is he sleeping now?

Yes, he is sleeping now.
Yes, he's sleeping now.

Is he sleeping now?
Is he sleeping now?

No, he is not sleeping now.
No, he's not sleeping now.

Special questions in Present Continuous Tense

When we ask a question with the following question words:

what - what;
where - where;
who - who;
which - which one;
why - why.

These words are placed first in the sentence, and the further order of words will be the same as in a regular question. The scheme is like this:

Question word + аm/are/is + the person in question + verb + -ing?

	am	I
		you
What	are	they	reading?
Where		we	playing?
Why		she	cooking? Reinforcement task Now for some practice. Translate the following sentences into English. Be careful, hidden among them are sentences that belong to the Present Simple. 1. She is flying on a plane at the moment. 2. Are you studying now? Yes, I'm studying. 3. She walks to work. 4. It’s not raining now. 4. Do they go to school? No, they don't study. 5. I'm painting a picture now. 6. He doesn't fly by plane. 7. The cat is lying on the table. 8. What are they reading? They read new magazines. 9. My friend understands physics. As always, leave your answers in the comments below the article.

Affirmative form

Subject + to be (am, is, are) + Present Participle (infinitive without to with ending -ing)

1. I am typing a message - I am writing a message (now).

typing – infinitive type + ending -ing

2. Boris is playing the piano now - Boris is now playing the piano.

playing – infinitive play + ending -ing
now (now) – a word denoting the moment of speech

3. We are watching the football match - We are watching a football match (now).

watching – infinitive watch + ending -ing

Negative form

Subject + to be (am, is, are) + not + Present Participle (infinitive without to with ending -ing)

1. I am not having a bath - I am not taking a bath (now).

am – auxiliary verb to be
not – negative particle
having – infinitive have + ending -ing

2. It is not snowing - It’s not snowing (now)

is – auxiliary verb to be
not – negative particle
snowing – infinitive snow + ending -ing

3. My parents are not sleeping - My parents are not sleeping (now).

are – auxiliary verb to be
not – negative particle
sleeping – infinitive sleep + ending -ing

Question form

to be (am, is, are) + subject + Present Participle (infinitive without to with ending -ing)

1. Is he cutting bread now? – Is he cutting bread now? (general question)

is – auxiliary verb to be stands on first
cutting – infinitive cut + ending -ing

2. Is the plane taking off right now? – Is the plane taking off right now?

is – auxiliary verb to be stands on first place to formulate a question
taking – infinitive take + ending -ing

3. Why are you shouting at him? - Why are you yelling at him? (special question)

are – auxiliary verb to be worth after question word why and before subject to
shouting – infinitive shout + ending -ing

#2 Cases of using the Present Continuous

1. Long-lasting action, which occurs at the moment of speech.

The cat is playing with its tail - The cat is playing with its tail. (now, at the moment)
Don't make a noise, Mary is work ing– Don’t make noise, Maria is working.

2. Long lasting action continues now, but not necessarily at the moment of speech.

I "m looking for a book the Codex Leicester - I am looking for the book “Leicester Codex.” (a person is looking for a book, but not at the time of speech. The action has begun, but has not yet ended)

Present Continuous shows what at the present time Human looking for this book, but usually (at all) he doesn’t do this.

In this case, the Present Simple is not used, since the meaning of such a sentence would be different.

I often buy history books - I often buy historical books. (Present Simple expresses action, which usually happens in general. In this case, it is assumed that the person usually buys historical books).

A few more similar examples.

Have you heard about John? He is writing a book about bodybuilding – Have you heard about John? He is writing a book about bodybuilding. (currently, but not at the moment of speaking)
My brother is working on a new online shop – My brother is working on a new online store. (currently, but not at the moment of speaking)

3. Action Expression in the future, When we're talking about about intention or pre-planned action.

We are going to the cinema tonight - Tonight we are going to the cinema.
Our manager is leaving London tomorrow - Our manager is leaving London tomorrow.

4. With words always(Always), constantly(constantly), etc. Present Continuous expresses an action that is repeated again and again. Usually in such sentences the speaker expresses impatience, disapproval.

He is always losing his keys! – He always loses his keys!
Why are you always criticizing her? – Why do you always criticize her?
She is constantly stealing our images – She constantly steals our images.

5. Present Continuous is used to show change in situation or trend.

The weather is improving - The weather is improving.
The climate is changing rapidly - The climate is changing rapidly.
The cars are becoming more and more expensive – Cars are becoming more and more expensive.

#3 Turnover TO BE GOING TO

The verb to go in the Present Continuous + the infinitive forms a phrase to be going to, which matters I'm going to, I intend to.

I am going to work with them – I am going to work with them.
She is going to complain to the manager about your behavior - She is going to complain to the manager about your behavior.
How long are you going to wait for him? – How long are you going to wait for him?
We are going to invite her - We are going to invite her.

#4 Verbs that not used in Present Continuous

The verbs listed below are not used during the days of the group Continuous. As a rule, these verbs are used in tenses of the Indefinite group. This is explained by the fact that these verbs reflect feelings and states, not actions.

For example:

I am wanting some coffee(wrong)
I want some coffee (correct)

Feeling/perception

to feel* – to feel
to hear – to hear
to see* – to see
to smell – to smell
to taste – taste (taste)

Opinion

to assume – to assume, to assume
to believe – to believe
to consider – to believe, to consider
to doubt - to doubt
to find (= to consider) – consider
to suppose - to assume
to think - to think

State of mind

to forget – forget
to imagine – imagine
to know - to know
to mean - to mean
to notice - to notice
to recognize - to recognize
to remember – remember
to understand – to understand

Emotions/desires

to envy - to envy
to fear - to be afraid
to dislike – to experience dislike
to hate - to hate
to hope - to hope
to like – to love, like
to love - to love
to mind - to object
to prefer – to prefer
to regret - to regret
to want - to want
to wish – to wish

Measurement

to contain – contain in oneself
to cost – cost
to hold – contain, contain
to measure – to measure
to weigh – to weigh

Other

to seem - to seem
to have (when it means "to possess")* – to have, to possess
to belong - to belong

*Exceptions

Verbs of perception (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) usually used with can: I can see... - I see... These verbs can also be used in the Continuous, but with a different meaning.

This coat feels nice and warm - This jacket seems (feels) warm and nice. (feeling the qualities of the jacket)
John "s feeling much better now - Now John feels much better. (his health is improving)
She has three dogs and a cat - She has three dogs and a cat. (possession of something)
She "s having supper - She is having dinner. (She eats)
I can see Anthony in the garden - I see Anthony in the garden. (perception)
I "m seeing Anthony later - I will meet Anthony later. (We plan to meet)

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

General information

In Russian you can find sentences of the following type:

There's no need to rush! The store is still open!
She is now choosing a new dress.
They are currently 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”, “yet”. Verbs are used in the present tense. The situation is different in English. To express duration, only adverbs of time are not enough. The main expression of duration in the language of Foggy Albion is the temporary form 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 constructed according to direct word order. The subjects come first, the predicate comes second. Affirmative sentences in the Present Continuous are no exception. Only the predicate is expressed by two verbs: auxiliary to be and the main one with the addition of an ending to its basis - ing. The following table shows how the formula works in practice “subjects + to be + main verb + -ing”:

When adding the ending -ing to the stem of a semantic verb, you must 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 with -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 negative particle not (not). In time present form Continuous it stands between the auxiliary and main verbs: subjects + to be + not + main verb + -ing.

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Question

A characteristic feature of English interrogative sentences is the reverse word order, when the auxiliary verb comes first. In the Present Continuous, questions are constructed using the following formula: to be + subjects + main verb + -ing?

Cases of use

The answer to the question of when the Present Continuous is used lies on the surface - in the very name of the time. The word Present indicates that the action is taking place in the present, and Continuous emphasizes the duration of the ongoing event. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Hidden under the dark water are other nuances of using this tense:

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's talking to our neighbor.

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

My grandmother is currently sewing a new shirt for me - My grandmother is now sewing a new shirt for me (she started sewing even before now and will continue to do this for some time)

To illustrate temporary situations, events. In these sentences you can find words such as until (not 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 and 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 actions, 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 (get together) is used to mean the future (We are going to visit a doctor - We are going to visit a doctor).

What have we learned?

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