Present continuous tense in English. Verbs that are not used in the Continuous

Basic table for the formation of the affirmative form of the Present Continuous Tense in English

Let's first take a look at the How is Present Continuous Tense formed?. It belongs to compound tenses, since even in affirmative sentences it consists of an auxiliary and a main verb.

The auxiliary verb for the present continuous tense is verb to be in the present tense, or rather its forms am, is, are. An ending is added to the main verb, which will denote the action being performed. -ing.

Remember!

To form an affirmative sentence in the Present Continuous, use one of the verb forms be (am/is/are) and main verb ending -ing.

It's important to remember that auxiliary verb to be always agrees with the subject, that is, its form am/is/are must correspond to the number and person of the subject. Let's look at the examples in more detail:

I am reading a book(Russian: I'm reading a book): I- subject, are- auxiliary verb (agrees with the subject), reading .

He is working as a secretary now(Russian. He now works as a secretary): he- subject, is working- main verb (does not agree with the subject, frozen form)

• Hey, you are eating my ice-cream(Russian: Hey, are you eating my ice cream): you- subject, are- auxiliary verb (agrees with the subject), eating- main verb (does not agree with the subject, frozen form)

Examples of affirmative sentences in the Present Continuous with translation:

Often used in colloquial speech abbreviated forms of the linking verb to be: I'm, You're, He's/She's/It's etc.

If a sentence contains homogeneous predicates, the linking verb to be is usually omitted, for example:

James and Sally are spending the evening together, watching a new video(Russian: James and Selly spend the evening together, they watch TV).

Rules for adding -ing ending to Present Continuous

Reference table for adding the -ing ending to form the Present Continuous.

During education Present Continuous Tense As a general rule, we add an ending to the verb -ing. However, there are a number of verbs that require a slight transformation when adding such an ending.

Let's consider basic rules for adding -ing ending for the formation of Present Continuous.

Rule #1

If the verb ends in -e, then this final vowel is omitted:

make - making, drive - driving

Rule #2

If a verb consists of 1 syllable and ends with 1 vowel and 1 consonant, then the consonant is doubled:

swim - swimming, stop - stopping

However, there is no need to double the consonant if the verb ends in -w or -x:

sew - sewing, fix - fixing

Rule #3

If a verb consists of two or more syllables and ends with a vowel followed by one consonant, then the consonant is doubled only if the last syllable is stressed:

put-put, regret - regretting

Rule #4

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

lie - lying, die - dying

What verbs cannot be used in the Present Continuous

Reference table: verbs that are not used with Continuous tenses

There are a number of verbs in English that cannot be used in the Present Continuous Tense. These verbs include the so-called State/Stative/Non-action Verbs(Russian verbs of state). However, there are exceptions with these verbs.

For example, the following verbs are not used in Continuous tenses because they themselves somehow denote some process:

English verbs related to perception (notice, hear, see, feel...)

verbs that convey emotions (love, hate, like...)

verbs that convey mental processes (know, understand, believe…)

verbs of possession (have, possess, belong...)

verbs of existence (be, exist, consist of...)

• other verbs (fit, deserve, matter...)

Verbs that cannot be used in the Continuous

Meaning of verbs	Examples of verbs
verbs of existing or being	be, consist of, contain, exist
verbs of possessing	belong to, have (= own), include, lack, own, possess
verbs of feeling or wanting	adore, desire, despise, detest, dislike, envy, hate, like, love, need, pity, prefer, trust, want, wish
verbs of thinking or believing	believe, doubt, expect, feel (= think), forget, imagine, intend, know, realize, recognize, remember, see (= understand), suppose, think, understand
verbs of appearance	appear, resemble, seem
other verbs	concern, depend, deserve, fit, matter, measure, mean, mind, weigh

For such verbs the tense is used Present Simple instead of Present Continuous. Compare:

Right: Many people believe in the existence of UFOs(Russian. Many people believe in the existence of UFOs)

• Wrong: Many people are believing in the existence of UFOs(Russians believe only now)

Sometimes, however, the same verb can have two meanings, and depending on the meaning, the verb can be used in the Present Continuous tense, for example:

I consider (=believe) her to be a very good student(Russian. I believe that she is a very good student)

• I’m still considering (= studying) all the pros and cons(Russian: I'm still learning the pros and cons)

In some cases, the change in the meaning of verbs is unimportant, and emotional coloring allows the use of a verb in the Continuous form:

Negative and interrogative sentences in the Present Continuous

Basic table for the formation of the affirmative form, negation, simple and special questions in the Present Continuous, short answers

Students learning English often believe that formation of negative and interrogative forms in the Present Continuous occurs more easily than in .

You, of course, remember that when forming negations and questions in the Present Simple, an auxiliary verb is added do or does, and the main verb is used without ending -(e)s. In contrast, the Present Continuous already has an auxiliary verb am/is/are even in the affirmative form, that is, you don’t have to think about which auxiliary verb to use.

This is why in some the Present Continuous is the first tense that students are introduced to.

Formation of the negative form Present Continuous

When forming negative sentences in the Present Progressive, it is important to remember how the auxiliary verb to be forms interrogative and negative forms in the present tense.

After all, it is the forms of the verb to be (am/is/are) are used to form questions and negations. The ending -ing in a semantic verb always remains unchanged.

Remember!

To form negative sentences in the Present Continuous to the auxiliary verb am/is/are a negative particle is added not, and the semantic verb always retains the ending -ing.

In order to make an affirmative sentence negative, you need to add the particle not after the auxiliary verb to be (am/is/are): I am not working(Russian: I don't work), He isn't working(Russian: It doesn't work), My brothers are not working(Russian. My brothers are not working now)

Examples of negative sentences in the Present Continuous

Example sentences	Translation into Russian
I am not listening to you.	I'm not listening to you.
She is not watching TV now.	She doesn't watch TV now.
We are not talking about it at the moment.	We're not talking about this now.
Our guests are not dancing right now.	Our guests are not dancing at the moment.
Antonio is not driving to work, he is at home.	Antonio is not going to work now, he is at home.
Traffic is not moving because of the accident.	Traffic on the road was stopped due to an accident.

In conversation, preference is always given to abbreviated forms, unless the speaker wishes to give emotional emphasis to the negative: I am not working = I'm not working, He is not working = He isn't working, They are not working = They aren't working

Questions and answers with the Present Continuous

Word order in interrogative sentences for the Present Continuous is no different from other tenses. Auxiliary am/is/are always comes before the subject, and the semantic verb has an ending -ing after the subject.

Remember!

To ask a general question in the Present Continuous auxiliary verb am/is/are must come before the subject, and the semantic verb always retains the ending -ing.

In special questions, the question word comes first, followed by an auxiliary verb. am/is/are, followed by a subject and a semantic verb with the ending -ing.

Compare:

Are you watching TV?(Russian: Do you watch TV?): a general question requiring a “yes” or “no” answer

What are you watching?(Russian: What are you watching?): special question with a question word what

What TV program are you watching?(Russian. What television program are you watching?) special question with interrogative phrase What TV program

• Who are you watching it with?(Russian: Who are you watching it with?) special question with a question word Who (with)

Examples of interrogative sentences in the Present Continuous

As you can see, nothing complicated in the formation of interrogative and negative forms of Present Continuous cannot be if you know the copula verb conjugation well to be in present time.

Using the Present Continuous

Present Continuous is used to denote actions in the present that are non-permanent and temporary.

Before moving on to specific cases and rules for using the present continuous tense, let's pay attention to marker words that are often used with this particular tense.

Marker words for the Present Continuous the following:

now- Now,

at the moment- in this moment,

at present- currently

these days- during these days

nowadays- today, now, these days

still- still, still

today/tonight- today/tonight

Look!- Look!

Listen!- Listen!

Often marker words are omitted in English, especially if the context is clear to all participants in the conversation. But when translated into Russian, these words, on the contrary, have to be added or used an imperfect form of the verb to show that the action is happening now.

Present Continuous for the present

So, in what cases do we use Present Continuous Tense for the present tense? Let's look at the list below:

1. First of all, the Present Continuous is used to express action, happening now, at the moment (at the moment of speech):

2. We also use the Present Continuous if we're talking about about an action that lasts not at a specific given moment, but “around it”, it is, as it were, extended in time, i.e. action in progress. Perhaps it started yesterday or last week, continues in the present and will continue for some period of time during which we perform this action from time to time:

3. For a temporary effect that lasts certain limited period of time and we usually indicate it:

4. Present Continuous is also used for action indicating a long, constantly changing process. IN in this case verbs are used very often get- become, change- change, improve- improve, grow- grow, start- begin, rise- grow, etc.:

5. We know that “always” is a marker. However, it is important to mention that if we exaggerate the situation and express a note of indignation, indignation, irritation, then we use the Present Continuous with “always” to show that we do not like it:

Present Progressive is used for an action that indicates unusual, unusual human behavior, i.e. if we want to show that a person is doing something that is usually unusual for him. In this case we very often use the verb to be also in a long time:

To summarize: Present Continuous describes an action in progress at the moment of speech or characteristic of the present tense. The action can continue after, but it can also end at any moment, that is, it is temporary.

Present Continuous for the future

As mentioned earlier, the present continuous tense serves many functions, including we can use Present Continuous to express the future.

So, for example, we use it when we talk about plans, agreements that we definitely decided to implement in the near future

Examples of Present Continuous to indicate the future

As you noticed, in Russian we also use the present tense to show that an action in the future is predetermined and will definitely take place.

Present Continuous example sentences with translation

So, now we know when and in what cases it is necessary to use the Present Continuous tense. To make it easier to digest this information, let's look at a few more examples of sentences in the present continuous tense.

Use of Present Continuous Tense: examples with translation and meaning

Sentence in English	Translation into Russian	Meaning of Present Continuous
I’m reading an interesting article right now.	I'm reading an interesting article now.	action at the moment of speech
They are always breaking their promises.	They always break their promises.	irritation with “always”
She is meeting a dentist tomorrow morning.	She is seeing the dentist tomorrow morning.	precise plans, agreements
Our team is working so hard this week.	Our team is working very hard this week.	an action that lasts for a limited period of time
Our world is changing.	The world is changing.	long, constantly changing process
What's happened? You are being so nervous today!	What's happened? You're so nervous today!	unusual human behavior

Pay attention to one more example: I would like to remind you about stative verbs - verbs that are not used in the Continuous tense group:

Now we understand every word(Russian. Now we understand your every word): action at the moment of speech, but the verb understand is not used in the Continuous, therefore it is used in the Present Simple.

Present Continuous and other English tenses

There are 12 tenses in English: 4 for present actions, 4 for past and 4 for future. And they all have their own characteristics.

1. Present (present)
2. Past
3. Future (future).

But each of them has 4 forms:

• Simple
• Continuous
• Perfect
• Perfect Continuous

It is thanks to this detailed system that tenses in English describe each situation in more detail and allow the interlocutor to understand more information about each event. Knowing the differences between tenses and being able to use tenses in English correctly, you will be able to bring your speech closer to native speakers.

So, speaking about the Present Continuous, the question often arises: what is its difference from other present tenses. Let's figure this out.

Present Simple and Present Continuous

Comparative table of education of Present Simple and Present Continuous.

The most frequently asked question is about the differences and correct use of Present Simple and Present Continuous. The basic rule is the following:

Describes actions that occur usually or are an immutable truth, that is, they are permanent.

• Present Continuous describes temporary, impermanent events that are happening now, at the time of conversation.

We hope that our table will help you systematize your knowledge about the simple present and present continuous tenses and once and for all figure out when to use each of these tenses.

Comparative table of the use of Present Simple and Present Continuous

Present Simple	Present Continuous
regular actions, daily routine, habits - regular action: We usually start work at 8 o’clock. (Russian. We usually start work at 8 o’clock.) - does this every day: He is a doctor. He meets a lot of patients every day. (Russian. He is a doctor. He sees many patients every day.) marker words Present Simple: always, often, usually, sometimes, rarely, rarely, occasionally, hardly ever, never, every day/week/month/year	the action occurs at the moment of speech (right now): - action at the moment of speech: Sorry, I can't talk now. I'm working. (Russian. Sorry, I can’t talk right now. I’m working.) -right now: He isn’t meeting a patient now. He is just talking to a friend. (Russian. He is not seeing a patient now. He is just talking to a friend.) marker words Present Continuous: now, at the moment, still
permanent states and actions: From the context it is clear that this is an ordinary, habitual action or state. -permanent place of work: I work in this building. (Russian: I work in this building.) -Always: He is a really good student. He studies so hard! (Russian. He is a really good student. He studies so hard!)	temporary state and actions: The action is limited to a certain period of time, it occurs only now (during this period), and usually not everything is wrong. -temporarily: I am working in this office this month. (Russian: I work in this office this month. = I usually work in another office) -not always: Jim is busy. He is studying so hard these days. (Russian: Jim is busy. He studies so hard these days. = these days are especially busy, usually easier) marker words indicating temporary action: today, these days, this week/month/year, at present
well known facts, laws of nature, scientific facts: -true: Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. (Russian: The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.) -fact: It is really cold in winter in our country. (Russian. It is very cold in winter in our country.)	changing actions, actions in progress: -changing action: It is getting colder and colder here every day. (Russian. Every day it gets colder and colder.) -process: Look! Sun is rising - it’s so beautiful! (Russian: Look! The sun is rising - it’s so beautiful!)
an action that always happens regularly, using always: My girlfriend always talks on the phone in the evenings. (Russian. My girlfriend always talks on the phone in the evenings. = really talks every evening) Jim always complains about his colleagues. (Russian: Jim always complains about his colleagues. = real situation - something happened, Jim goes and complains about his colleagues)	to express emphasis, exaggeration and slight indignation, using always: My girlfriend is always talking on the phone! (Russian. Yes, my girlfriend is always talking on the phone! = she doesn’t talk all the time, but too often and it annoys us) Jim is always complaining about his colleagues. (Russian: Jim is always complaining about his colleagues. = he does it too often, no one likes it)
schedule of transport, days, concerts: -schedule: The bus leaves at 4 o’clock tomorrow. (Russian: The bus leaves at 4 o'clock tomorrow.)	Plans and agreements for the future: -plans: They are leaving at 4 o’clock tomorrow. (Russian. They leave at 4 o'clock tomorrow.)

Present Continuous and Present Perfect Continuous

Not everything is simple with these times either, although they are somewhat consonant in their names. But the word Perfect already says that the action began in the past, lasted for some period and has a result in the present.

Unlike the Simple Continuous, in the Present Perfect Continuous it is important not that the action is temporary and reflects the current process, but the process of performing it in the past and, as a consequence, its result in the present.

Compare:

Wait, I'm trying to open the door(Russian: Wait, I'm trying to open the door): I'm trying now, in the process of opening the lock, I'm trying - Present Continuous.

• I've been trying to open the door. Bit it is still locked(Russian: I tried to open the door, but it is still closed): I tried in the recent past, I may still try, but I have a negative result, I’ve been trying -Present Perfect Continuous.

Comparative table of the use of Present Simple and Present Perfect Continuous

Present Continuous	Present Perfect Continuous
The action takes place in the present - the connection is only with it, there is no connection with the past and there is no indication of how long the action lasts:	The action began in the past and continues to this day - a connection between the past and the present, perhaps an indication of how long the action lasts:
Hurry up! We're waiting for you. (Russian: Hurry up! We are waiting for you. = We are waiting right now)	We've been waiting for 2 hours. (Russian: We have been waiting for 2 hours already. = we started waiting for 2 hours and are still waiting)
Don't disturb her! She is learning English. (Russian. Don’t bother her. She’s studying English. = she’s studying right now)	She speaks English pretty nice. She has been learning English for 2 years. (Russian. She speaks English quite well. She has been studying English for 2 years. = for 2 years already)

Instead of a conclusion

So we've sorted it out Present Continuous time- present continuous tense. During the lessons, you can reinforce all the rules that you just read about in communication with the teacher.

And to consolidate the acquired knowledge now, we suggest you perform several exercises.

Present Continuous exercises

Everyone knows that any new theoretical knowledge requires consolidation in practice. Below are several exercises on the Present Continuous, as well as comparisons between the Present Continuous and the Present Simple and the Present Continuous with the Present Perfect Continuous, so be careful when doing them. :)

Exercise 1: Open the brackets using Present Simple or Present Continuous:

Her brother (not to read) a book at the moment. He (to sleep) because he (to be) exhausted.

Lisa (not to cook) dinner at the moment. She (to talk) to a friend.

I (not to play) games now. I (to do) my English homework.

He (not to drink) tea in the evenings. He (to drink) tea in the mornings.

Look! The baby (to sleep). The baby always (to sleep) after dinner.

I usually (to go) to work at seven o"clock every morning.

Who (to make) lunch for your children now?

You (to read) a magazine and (to think) about your holiday at the moment?

They (to be) good singers but they (not to go) to karaoke bars very often.

What do you (to talk) about right now?

You (to keep) to any special diet? - Well, I (not to think) it (to be) good to eat a lot of meat. I usually (to have) meat only once a week. I (to eat) lots of fruit and vegetables.

He (to learn) English now because he (to want) to get a better job.

Listen to those people! You (to understand) what language they (to speak)?

Your English (to get) better? - Yes, I (to think) so.

1. She (to try) to lose weight, I (to think). She always (to have) light lunches.

Exercise 2: Open the brackets using Present Continuous or Present Perfect Continuous:

Linda_ __ (learn) German for four years.

Hello Bill. I_ __ (look) for you all morning. Where have you been?

Why_ __ (you/look) at me like that? Stop it!

Julia is a doctor. She_ ____ (work) in this hospital for three years.

I_ ____ (think) about what you said and I"ve decided to take your advice.

"Is Melissa on holiday this week?" "No, she_ ____ (work).

1. Sarah is very tired. She_ __ (work) very hard recently.

Exercise 3: Translate into English:

We go to Italy every summer.

What do you do on the weekends?

Let's stay at home - it's raining outside.

You always talk about your problems! I'm tired of this!

I think they are wrong.

Can you speak louder? I can not hear you!

You don't look very good. How do you feel?

What are you doing? – I'm thinking about our trip to Greece.

Where are you going? - I need to go to the bank.

I'm going to the store, do you want anything?

Do you like it there? – Yes, I have a great time with my friends.

This dress doesn't fit my size.

I don't like autumn! It rains constantly and the days get shorter and shorter.

The book consists of five chapters. I'm reading the third one now.

Looks like it's starting to rain...

Do you see this? This is incredible, I can't believe my eyes!

Lisa is very tired. She's working so hard this week.

The weather is great! The sun is shining brightly and the birds are singing in the trees. We need to go outside now.

Here it is so beautiful! I love walking through this park! I feel so happy!

1. Here we go again! She always sings in her soul!

In contact with

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

What is Present Continuous Tense?

Present Continuous Tense is a temporary form of a verb that describes actions or states that are ongoing at the moment of speech. That is, Present Continuous Tense shows actions and states in progress! This is how it differs from the Present Simple Tense.

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

• Present Continuous: You are speaking Spanish - You speak Spanish. (Meaning that you speak Spanish at this moment in time.)

• Present Simple: You speak Spanish. — You speak Spanish. (Meaning that you can speak Spanish at all.)

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

Rules for the formation of Present Continuous Tense

The Present Continuous tense is complex. It is formed using 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, it is important to know the following rules:

• If the verb ends in an unpronounceable -e, then it is lowered:

to drive e- driving
to give e- giving

• If a verb ends in a consonant after a 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 observed).

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

• If the verb ends in -ie, That -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 main verb (V + ing)

Formation of the interrogative form:

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

Formation of negative form:

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

Conjugation table for 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 thoroughly learn this table as a cliche, where you will then substitute other verbs.

Not all verbs in English are used for a long time. 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 you 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 time circumstances 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 like something is burning?
• 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 given moment of speech:

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

3. When expressing any inclination or constant 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 quarrel with my teachers.

4. When expressing actions planned for the near future. Verbs of motion are often used in such sentences:

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

and expressions:

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

• I am giving a birthday party tomorrow. — Tomorrow I'm throwing a birthday party.
• They are leaving us this afternoon. “They are leaving us tonight.”

Note!

The combination of the verb to go in the 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. “I’m going to introduce him to my parents.”

6. When expressing an action that occurs simultaneously with another action expressed in Present Simple Tense. That is, in the subordinate clause of time or condition after conjunctions.

Present Continuous Tense (or Present Progressive Tense) is translated from English as “present continuous tense”. In English speech it is used on a par with the Present Simple, with the same frequency, and occupies an important place in grammar.

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

Present Continuous - formation of sentences of different types

Statement

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

1. Formula: I am + ing verb Example: I am singing - I sing.
2. Formula: He/She/It is + ing verb 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 are swimming.

Adding the ending -ing to a 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. The verb ends in -ie Rule: -ie is replaced by -y Example: lie - lying (lie down)
3. Monosyllabic verb ending in a vowel and a consonant Rule: last consonant is doubled Example: get - getting

Negation

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

1. Formula: I am not + ing verb Example: I am not singing - I don’t sing.
2. Formula: He/She/It is not + ing verb Examples: He is not smiling - He does not smile. She is not dancing - She doesn’t 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

When the Present Continuous is used in interrogative sentences, the auxiliary verb takes 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? - Is it shining?
3. Formula: Are We/You/They + verb-ing Examples: Are we listening? - We are listening? Are you reading? - You are reading? Are they swimming? - They are swimming?

Present Continuous - used in typical cases

1. The action is happening right now, at the time of speech. You can also use the Present construction

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 eats an apple while I drink juice. (two actions are performed simultaneously)

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

Marker words: now (now), currently (now, now), these days (In these days, the other day).

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 simply 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 lives in New York for three months. (in three months, for some reason, he will leave New York, his period of stay in this city will end; this situation is temporary, he permanently resides, for example, in Moscow, and is in New York for work or in connection with studies)

4. The action is developing or constantly changing, the sentence often contains specific verbs to indicate it. Describing 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 cases of using the Present Continuous construction

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

Marker words: this/next week (this/next week), tonight (in the evening), today (today), tomorrow (tomorrow), this/next year (this/next year), this/next weekend (in these /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 car and the car dealership where the purchase will be made)

2. We are talking about action in the present, affecting the near future, using 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 feel tired and will go to sleep right after I report this)

3. The speech is emotionally charged, 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 constantly interrupt me! (you do this 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 and 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 constructed using the Present Continuous formula.

Marker words: to love, to feel, to wish, to think, to see, to look, to smell, to have ) and others

Examples: The steak tastes good. - This steak tastes great. (steak prepared according to this recipe is always delicious) The chef is tasting the steak. - The cook tastes the steak. (he's doing it right now)

Using the Present Continuous in difficult cases

1. We are talking about something new with a contrast to 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 this she did not have such a good appetite)

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

Marker words: as long as (yet), 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 reads.

Meaning of Continuous time and translation:

Continuous tenses denote actions that take place (have taken place, will take place) at a precisely specified time - present, past and future. Additional characteristics of such actions are their incompleteness, dynamism, and visibility. This can be seen from the comparison of infinitives:
To work - to work (Indefinite)
To be working – literally to be working (Continuous), i.e. it shows the process as unfinished, ongoing.

For example, you can say. Our children read and Our children are reading. Both sentences translate as: Our children read.
But in the first case, Present 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 shows a specific picture of children reading: They are reading now.

The Continuous form is formed using the auxiliary verb to be.

Present Continuous

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

Present Continuous Verb Conjugation Table

Affirmative form	Interrogative form	Negative form
I am reading	Am I reading? I am reading?	I am not reading
He, she, it is reading He, she, it reads	Is he, she, it reading? Does he, she, it read?	He, she, it is not reading
We are reading	Are we reading? We read?	We are not reading
You are reading	Are you reading? You are reading?	You are not reading
They are working	Are they reading? They are reading	They are not working

Note 1:

It is worth noting that the singular and plural forms are the same.
You are asking. You ask.
You are asking.

Note 2:

In spoken English, instead of full forms, abbreviated forms are usually used: isn’t, aren’t

Present Continuous is used in the following cases:

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

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

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

Liza is arriving in Moscow soon. Lisa will soon arrive in Moscow.
They are leaving London tonight. They are leaving London today.

Note:

With state verbs:

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

Present Continuous is not used.

The exception is the case when they want to show that a given condition 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 I'm being stupid. But I don't know what to do.

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 conjugation table

Affirmative form	Interrogative form	Negative form
I was asking	Was I asking? I asked?	I was not asking
He, she, it was asking	Was he, she, it asking? Did he, she ask?	He, she, it was not asking
We were asking	Were we asking? Did we ask?	We were not asking
You were asking	Were you asking? Did you ask?	You were not asking
They were asking	Were they asking? Did they ask?	They were not asking

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 weekend I was preparing for my exams. Over the weekend I studied for my exams.

2. To express a long-term action that took place during 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, all that matters 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, the 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 is used with verbs of motion to express a future action that is planned in the past and viewed 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 was 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 in cases where it is emphasized that this state is temporary.

Note 2:

The Past Continuous sometimes expresses a constant characteristic of someone in the past. In this case, the sentence contains the 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 Continuous expresses a future action in the process of its completion, i.e. an unfinished long-term action. It is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the future tense and the 4th main form of the verb.

Conjugation table for the Future Continuous

Affirmative form	Interrogative form	Negative form
I shall be speaking. I will speak.	Shall I be speaking. I will speak?	I shall not be speaking. I will not speak.
He, she, it will be speaking. She, she, it will speak.	Will he, she, it be speaking? She, she, will it speak?	He, she, it will not be speaking. She, she, it won't speak.
You will be speaking. You will talk.	Will you be speaking? Will you speak?	You will not be speaking. You won't speak.
We shall be speaking. We will talk.	Shall we be speaking? We will talk?	We shall not be speaking. We won't talk.
They will be speaking. They will talk.	Will they be speaking? Will they talk?	They will not be speaking. They won't talk.

Future Continuous is used:

1. To express a continuous action that will begin before a certain moment in the future and will still continue, last at that 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 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. Tomorrow I will read all day.

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

I shall be reading tonight. I'm going to read this evening.
She will be visiting me tomorrow. She's going to visit me tomorrow.

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

Present Continuous (Present Progressive) is formed with the help to be in present time ( am, is, are) and the present participle form 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. More about .

Abbreviated forms:

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

Using the Present Continuous

1. A long-term action taking place at the moment of speech ( now - now, at the present moment - at the 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-term action 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 indicating movement ( to go - go/drive, to come - come, to leave - leave/leave, to arrive - arrive/arrive, to start - set off/set off on a journey), when the intention to perform an action is expressed, or we are talking about a pre-planned action. A sentence usually contains tense adverbs that indicate a future tense.

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

4. Expression of action in the future (instead of) in adverbial clauses and, which are introduced by conjunctions 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, is not used with:

• verbs of emotional state ( to wish - to wish, to desire - to wish, to love - to love),
• verbs of mental activity ( to agree - to agree, to believe - to believe, to remember - to remember, to think - to consider/believe * ),
• verbs of sensation ( to hear- hear * , to see – to see * , to taste – to have taste * , to smell - to smell * ),
• a group of verbs of possession, relationship ( 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. More 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. (mental activity)

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

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