In the continuous tense group, an auxiliary verb is used. Present Continuous Tense or Present Continuous

affirmative form

Subject + to be (am, is, are) + Present Participle (infinitive without to 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 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

Interrogative form

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

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

• is - the 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 - the auxiliary verb to be stands on first place to form a question
• taking - infinitive take + ending -ing

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

• are - the auxiliary verb to be stands after question word why and before subject
• shouting - infinitive shout + ending -ing

#2 Cases of using Present Continuous

1. Long-term action, which happens at the moment of speaking.

• The cat is playing with its tail - The cat plays 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 action continues now but not necessarily at the moment of speaking.

• I'm looking for a book the Codex Leicester - I'm looking for the Codex Leicester book. (a person is looking for a book, but not at the moment of speech. The action has begun, but has not yet ended)

Present Continuous shows what in the present period of time Human looking for this book, but usually (at all) he does not do this.

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

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

A few more similar examples.

• Have you heard about John? He is writing a book about bodybuilding – Heard about John? He is writing a book about bodybuilding. (currently, but not at the time 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 time of speaking)

3. Action expression in future, When we are talking 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(permanently), etc. The 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's always losing his keys!
• Why are you always criticizing her? Why are you always criticizing her?
• She is constantly stealing our images - She is constantly stealing our images.

5. Present Continuous is used to show change 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 Turn TO BE GOING TO

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

• I am going to work with them - I'm 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 not used in the times of the Continuous group. As a rule, these verbs are used in the times of the Indefinite group. This is explained by these verbs express feelings and states, not actions.

For example:

• I am wanting some coffee(wrong)
• I want some coffee (that's right)

Feeling/perception to feel * - feel to hear - to hear to see * - see to smell - to smell to taste - try (taste) Opinion to assume - assume, assume to believe - to believe to consider - to believe, to consider to doubt - to doubt to find (= to consider) to suppose - to assume to think - to think state of mind to forget - forget to imagine - to imagine to know - to know to mean - keep in mind to notice - notice to recognize - to recognize to remember - remember to understand - understand

Emotions/Desires to envy - to envy to fear - to be afraid to dislike - to feel dislike to hate - to hate to hope - hope to like - love, like to love - to love to mind - object to prefer - prefer to regret - regret to want - want to wish - wish Measurement to contain - contain to cost - cost to hold - contain, contain to measure - measure to weigh - weigh Other to seem - 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 Continuous, but with a different meaning. This coat feels nice and warm - This coat feels (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. (ownership of something) She "s having supper - She has 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 with Anthony later. (We plan to meet)

There are more tense forms in English than in Russian, which is why learning someone else's speech can be so difficult for our compatriots. In the great and mighty there is no such thing as a present continius, in other words, a real long time. But don't be afraid. If you understand this issue well, then no difficulties will arise.

Features of use

Present Continuous is sometimes difficult to distinguish from Present Simple. Both of these temporary forms describe the present, but the present simple is used when it comes to constantly repeating actions, and the continius - about those that are happening right now.

It is important to remember the difference when it is necessary to describe several incidents at the same time. Here the verb is put in the present simple tense if the actions follow one after the other. But if events occur simultaneously, the present continuous comes to the rescue.

Another important nuance concerns activities that are either planned or scheduled. When the interlocutor expresses his intention to do something, he uses the verb in the Present Continuous form, but if the event is indicated in the schedule, then they talk about it in Present Simple.

Such a small comparison will allow you to better navigate these two times.

The English present continius has significant differences that make it possible to distinguish it from other forms of the verb.

It is used when it is necessary to describe events that occur directly at the moment of speech. A vivid example: Tom is doing exercise now (Tom is now doing sports).

Present continius is used to describe an action that is not taking place at the moment, but in the present, still ongoing period of time. Consider an example: He is working on the program (He is working on the program). The point is that he does this not at a particular moment, but throughout the present period, which lasts and will soon end.

The same temporary form is used when describing a planned action that will happen soon. An example is the following phrase: We are arriving on Friday (We will arrive or are going to arrive on Friday).

Another option for using Present Continuous is to indicate repetitive actions that annoy or disapproval of the speaker. Adverbs constantly, always, repeatedly, which in this case are translated as “forever”, can serve as catalysts. Good example: You are constantly shouting at us (You are always shouting at us).

Education rules

To formulate sentences in the present continuum, it is necessary to use the verb "to be" in the appropriate form, which depends on the noun or pronoun used. It is to him in negative sentences that the particle "not" will be added.

Verbs in the present continuum end in -ing. In most cases, this inflection is attached to the word without changing it (say - saying). But if there is a mute "e" at the end of the infinitive, it must be omitted (make - making). In the case when the verb ends with a combination of a short vowel with a consonant, the exception is "x", the last letter is doubled (begin - beginning). Words that end in -ie change it to -y+ing (lie - lying).

There is a list of expressions that can serve as an indication of the Present Continuous. These are such as today, at the moment, this week, now and others.

There are a number of words that are not used in this tense. These are the so-called state verbs that convey sensations and feelings. They will also not take part in the formation of such a temporary form as a continuum. Here are some of the state verbs:

• be - to be;
• belong - to belong;
• consist - consist;
• cost - cost;
• envy - to envy;
• exist - to exist;
• hate - hate;
• hear - hear;
• love - to love;
• possess - possess;
• remember - remember;
• seem - seem;
• want - want.

The list of these words is much longer, and you need to carefully read them in order to eliminate errors in your speech.

Formation of affirmative sentences

Strictly established word order - that's what the English language can be proud of. Present continius does not introduce dissonance into this rule. His sentences are built according to the same principle: the subject, followed by the semantic verb with the corresponding ing ending, followed by the rest

Consider the picture and describe the actions that the characters perform according to the scheme placed in the table.

Formation of affirmative sentences in the present continuum

		driving (food) laughing (laughs) playing (play) Verb + ing skating (skates) singing (sings) running (running)

• I am driving (I'm driving).
• Tom is laughing (Tom laughs).
• We are playing (We are playing).
• Dad is skating (Dad is skating).
• You are singing (You sing).
• Lena is running (Lena is running).

Formation of negation

Turning an affirmative sentence into a negative one is very simple, just add the particle "not" to the verb "to be".

Formation of negative sentences in the present continuum

			driving (food) laughing (laughs) playing (play) skating (skates) singing (sings) running (running)

• I am not / can be shortened to I’m not / driving (I don’t drive).
• Tom is not /isn't/ laughing (Tom doesn't laugh).
• We are not /aren't/ playing (They don't play).

Interrogative sentences

To put a general question, the answer to which can be an agreement or a denial (yes / no), it is enough to bring "to be" forward.

Formation of a general question in a present continuum

		driving (I drive)? laughing (laughs)? playing (play)? singing (sings)? running (running)?

• Am I driving (I drive)?
• Is dad skating?
• Are you singing?

It is also not difficult to formulate a special question, which would be the method or quality of the action, you need to add the corresponding interrogative word to the previous form.

Education special issues to present continius

			driving (I drive)? laughing (laughs)? playing (play)? skating (skating)? singing (sings)? running (running)?

• How am I driving?
• When is dad skating?
• What are you singing?

Exercises

You need to convert the infinitive to the Present Continuous verb and choose correct form for "to be":

a) She /to read/ a magazine now (She is reading a newspaper now).

b) Linda /to sit/ at the piano (Linda is sitting at the piano).

c) He /to do/ his homework (He does his homework).

d) They /to play/ baseball (They play baseball).

e) I still /to write/ a message (I am still writing a message).

f) We /to have/ dinner now (Now we are having lunch).

g) It still /to rain/ (It's still raining).

h) It /to snow/ now (It is snowing).

i) The girl /to draw/ a picture (The girl draws a picture).

j) You /to speak/ to me now (You are talking to me now).

It is necessary to put affirmative sentences in the interrogative and negative form:

A. I am studying (I am studying).

B. We are playing ball (We play ball).

C. They are eating now (They are eating now).

D. We are resting now (We are resting now).

E. She is sleeping (She is sleeping).

Translate into English the following phrases:

1. She's riding a bike.
2. You are always late!
3. Where are they resting now?
4. We don't have breakfast.
5. What is he doing now?

Present continius is a popular and easy enough to learn temporary form. To avoid mistakes when using it, it is enough to remember the cases in which it is used, to know the methods of its formation and the few verbs that are not used in it.

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

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

Abbreviated forms:

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

Using Present Continuous

1. A long action taking place at the moment of speech ( now - now, at the present moment - in currently, at this moment - at this moment).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Present Continuous - Present Continuous in English, denotes
action taking place at the moment; action, which is a continuous process taking place at the moment of speech; future planned action. When we talk about such an event, we usually use the words now(Now), at the moment(At the moment), currently, currently(currently), etc. The action is incomplete.

affirmative form

affirmative form present tense is formed from the auxiliary verb " to be" in the corresponding person of the present tense ( am, is, are) and a semantic verb in the ing form ( V-ing) that follow the subject.

I am watching TV now
I am watching TV now

I am(= I "m) eat ing. -
I eat.

She is reading at the moment
She is currently reading

Is not reading a book. -
He is reading a book (now).

We are working now
We are working now.

We/you/they are(=we"re/you"re/they"re) sing ing. -
We/you(you)/they sing.

The water is boiling. Can you turn it off? -
The water is boiling at the moment. Turn it off.

Currently I am working on a very exciting project. -
Currently I am working on a very interesting project.

We can't come right now because we are watching TV. -
We can't come right now because we watch TV.

Interrogative form

To ask a question in the present continuous tense, you need to put the verb "to be" before subject, semantic verb in the form " -ing"should behind the subject.

Am I reading now? -
I am reading now?

Is he reading a new book? -
Is he reading a new book?

Are we waiting for a bus? -
Are we waiting for the bus?

Are we playing basketball? -
Are we playing basketball now?

Are children enjoying the party? -
Children enjoy the holiday?

Is she speaking to her mother? -
Is she talking to her mother?

Is Mary sleeping?
Yes, she is. (She's sleeppin.)
No, she is not. (No, she is not sleeping)
No, she's not. (She's not sleeping)
No, she isn't (She isn't sleeping)

Special questions in Present Continuous

Where is Mary sleeping?
On the sofa (She's sleeping on the sofa)

Why are you watching TV?
Because I like this program. (I'm watching TV because I like this program)

Negative form

The negative form is formed by stating the negation " not" after the auxiliary verb.

They are not playing football now.
They don't play football now.

They are very busy.
They are very busy.

Compare with present indefinite:

They don "t play football at all. - They don't play football at all.

Interrogative-negative form

In the interrogative-negative form, the particle not is placed directly after the subject or before the subject, forming an abbreviated form of the auxiliary verb and particle:

Am I not working?
Is he not working? (Isn't he working?)
Are we not working? (Aren't we working?)

+ She is standing.
- She is not standing.
? Is she standing?
Yes, she is. No, she is not. (No, she isn't.)

affirmative form		Interrogative form			Negative form
... + am/is/are + IV		Am/Is/Are ... + IV ?			... am/is/are not + IV
I am (=I "m) playing. I play. (Now)		Am I playing? Am I playing?			I am not (=I "m not) playing. I do not play.
He She It	is playing =(..."s playing)	Is	he she it	play ing?	He She It	is not playing =(isn't playing)
We You They	are playing =(..."re playing)	Are	we you they	play ing?	We You They	are not playing =(aren't playing)

Present Continuous to express actions taking place at the moment of speech

- What are you writing? - I am writing a letter to a friend of mine.
- What are you (now) writing? I am writing (now) a letter to my friend.

They are not working. They are on their holidays. - They don't work (now). They are on vacation.

If at the moment the fact of action is more important for the speaker than the process, then Present Indefinite is used, not Present Continuous:

Why don't you answer? - Why don't you answer?

Stop talking! Why don't you listen? - Stop talking! Why don't you listen?

If two simultaneous processes occur at the moment of speech, then all three options for transferring these actions are possible: both in Indefinite, one in Indefinite - the other in Continuous, both in Continuous:

Do you hear what he says? = Do you hear what he's saying? = Are you listening to what he's saying?
Do you hear (listen) what he says

Temporal markers Present Continuous

English verbs in Present Continuous used c
temporary markers:
still- still,
now- Now,
at present- currently,
at the moment- At the moment,
meanwhile- Meanwhile,
while- Bye

Moreover, the presence of words denoting the moment of speech: now, at this moment, etc. is possible, but not at all necessary.

I am sitting at my table and writing. -
I sit at the table and write. (Now)

The bus is coming. -
The bus is coming.

It is raining. -
It's raining. (At the moment)

Mary, what are you doing? -
Mary, what are you (now) doing?

You are not listening to me. -
You don't listen to me.

Verbs that are not used in Continuous:

(verbs of senses)
feel - feel
hear - to hear
notice - notice
see - see,
smell - to smell,
sound - sound,
taste - try.

I hear a siren. Do you here it too

(verbs of need and need) needs and wants:
need - need,
wish - wish,
want - want.

I want an apple

(tastes and dislikes) likes and dislikes:
dislike - not to love,
hate - hate,
like - like,
love - to love,
prefer - prefer.

(knowledge)
forget - forget
know - to know
realize - realize
understand - understand.

The Present Continuous Present Continuous is formed using the verb to be and the -ing form of the verb

To express a long action taking place in the present time period, although not necessarily at the moment of speech, for example:

I am learning to drive. -
I am learning to drive. (currently)

He is studying at school. -
He goes to school. (currently)

My husband is working on an invention. -
My husband is (currently) working on an invention.

Is not writing a new play. -
He is writing a new play. (not right now, but in this period of life)

That firm is carrying on negotiations for the purchase of ore. -
This firm is negotiating the purchase of ore.

to express future action

The Present Continuous is also used to express future action:

To express a planned future action (the actor expresses both the intention to perform the action and the confidence in its commission, since there is an agreement, plan, tickets, etc.), especially with verbs denoting movement or action. In this case, the circumstances of time are almost always used. This form is typical of the colloquial style, while Present Indefinite is typical of the formal style.

Such constructions often contain words today, this week and even tomorrow

We are leaving tomorrow at 6.

I "m going to visit my aunt this evening -
I decided to go to my uncle's tonight.

1) To express a planned future action (the actor expresses both the intention to perform the action and the confidence in its commission, since there is an agreement, plan, tickets, etc.), especially with verbs denoting movement or action. In this case, the circumstances of time are almost always used. This form is typical of the colloquial style, while Present Indefinite is typical of the formal style.

I'm leaving tomorrow. -
I leave tomorrow.

We're flying to Paris in the morning. -
We're leaving for Paris in the morning.

We are dining out on Saturday. -
We have lunch at a party on Saturday.

He is taking his examination on Friday. -
He is taking his exam on Friday.

2 To express the future action in adverbial clauses of the condition and time of the conditions introduced by the conjunctions (if if, in case in case, etc.) or time (before before, until (till) until ... not, while in while, while, when, etc.), for example:

If I am sleeping when he comes, wake me up, please. -
If I am sleeping when he comes, please wake me up.

abbreviations in colloquial speech:

In colloquial speech, abbreviations are used:

I am \u003d I "m
He (she, it) is \u003d He "s (she" s, it "s)
We (you, they) are = we "re (you" re, they "re)
am not="m not
is not= isn't="s not
are not=aren"t="re not

He's working.
He isn't working. = He's not working.
Aren't they working?