Reference table for the formation of the affirmative form of the Present Continuous tense in English language

Let's first take a look at the How is Present Continuous Tense Formed?. It refers 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 form am, is, are. The ending is added to the main verb, which will indicate the action to be performed. -ing.

Remember!

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

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

I am reading a book(Russian I am reading a book): I- subject, are- auxiliary verb (consistent with subject), reading .

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

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

Examples of affirmative sentences in 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 the proposal contains homogeneous predicates, then 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 Sally spend the evening together, they watch TV).

Rules for adding the ending -ing to Present Continuous

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

At education Present continuous tense as a general rule, we add the ending to the verb -ing. However, there are a number of verbs that require a little transformation when adding such an ending.

Consider basic rules for adding the ending -ing for education Present Continuous.

Rule #1

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

make - making, drive - driving

Rule #2

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

swim-swimming, stop - stopping

However, it is not necessary to double the consonant if the verb ends in -w or -x:

sew - sewing, fix - fixing

Rule #3

If the 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 - putting, regret - regretting

Rule #4

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

lie - lying, die - dying

What verbs can not be used in 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 Present Continuous Tense. Such verbs include the so-called State/Stative/Non-action Verbs(Russian state verbs). However, there are exceptions to these verbs.

For example, the following verbs are not used in the Continuous tenses because they themselves denote some kind of process in one way or another:

english verbs related to perception (notice, hear, see, feel…)

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

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

possession verbs (have, possess, belong…)

existence verbs (be, exist, consist of…)

• other verbs (fit, deserve, matter…)

Verbs that should not be used in Continuous

Meaning of verbs	Verb examples
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

These verbs use the tense Present Simple instead of Present Continuous. Compare:

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

• Wrong: Many people are believing in the existence of UFOs(Russian 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(rus. I believe she is a very good student)

• I'm still considering (= studying) all the pros and cons(rus. I'm still learning the pros and cons)

In some cases, the change in the meaning of the verb is not significant, and emotional coloring allows you to use the verb in the Continuous form:

Negative and interrogative sentences in Present Continuous

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

English learners often think that formation of negative and interrogative forms in Present Continuous is easier than in.

Of course, you remember that when negative and questions are formed in Present Simple, an auxiliary verb is added do or does, and the main verb is used without an ending -(e)s. Unlike it, Present Continuous already has an auxiliary verb am/is/are even in the affirmative form, that is, you do not have to think about which auxiliary verb to use.

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

Formation of the negative form of 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 negatives. The ending -ing in the semantic verb always remains unchanged.

Remember!

To form negative sentences in Present Continuous to an auxiliary verb am/is/are add a negative particle 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 Present Continuous

Sentence examples	Translation into Russian
I am not listening to you.	I don't listen to you.
She is not watching TV now.	She is not watching TV now.
We are not talking about it at the moment.	We are not talking about it 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, abbreviated forms are always preferred, unless the speaker wishes to give emotional reinforcement to the denial: 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 Present Continuous

Word order in interrogative sentences for Present Continuous is no different from other times. Auxiliary am/is/are always comes before the subject, and the semantic verb with the ending -ing for 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 interrogative word is put first, followed by an auxiliary verb. am/is/are, followed by the subject and semantic verb with the ending -ing.

Compare:

Are you watching TV?(rus. Do you watch TV?): a general question that requires a yes or no answer

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

What TV program are you watching?(rus. What TV program do you watch?) special question with an interrogative phrase What TV program

• Who are you watching it with?(rus. Who do you watch it with?) special question with a question word Who (with)

Examples of interrogative sentences in 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 conjugation of the verb copula well to be in present time.

Using Present Continuous

Present Continuous is used to refer to actions in the present that are not permanent, temporary.

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

Marker words for Present Continuous the following:

now- Now,

at the moment- in this moment,

at present- currently

these days- during these days

nowadays- today, now, nowadays

still- still, still

today/tonight- tonight/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 in the translation into Russian, these words, on the contrary, have to add or use the imperfect form of the verb to show that the action is happening now.

Present Continuous for present

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

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

2. We also use the Present Continuous when we are talking about an action that does not last at a particular moment, but “around it”, it seems to be stretched out in time, i.e. action in progress. Perhaps it started yesterday or last week, continues in the present and will continue for some other period of time, during which we perform this action from time to time:

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

4. The Present Continuous is also used for an action indicating long, constantly changing process. In this case, verbs are often used get- to become change- to change improve- to 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 not characteristic of him. In this case, we often use the verb to be also in the long run:

Summing up: Present Continuous describes an action in progress at the moment of speech or characteristic of the present. 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 long time performs 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 fulfill 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 examples of sentences with translation

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

Using Present Continuous Tense: Examples with Translation and Meaning

Offer in English	Translation into Russian	Meaning of Present Continuous
I'm reading an interesting article right now.	I am currently reading an interesting article.	action at the moment of speech
They are always breaking their promises.	They always break their promises.	annoyance with "always"
She is meeting a dentist tomorrow morning.	She is meeting with the dentist tomorrow morning.	precise plans, arrangements
Our team is working so hard this week.	Our team is working very hard this week.	an action that lasts 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 are 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 Continuous, therefore it is used in Present Simple.

Present Continuous and other English tenses

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

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

But each of them has 4 forms:

• Simple
• continuous
• Perfect
• Perfect Continuous

It is thanks to such a 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 knowing how to use tenses correctly in English, you can bring your speech closer to native speakers.

So, speaking about 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 Present Simple and Present Continuous.

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

Describes actions that usually occur or are an indisputable truth, that is, they are of a permanent nature.

• Present Continuous describes temporary, non-permanent events that are happening now, at the moment of speaking.

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

Comparative table of the use of Present Simple and Present Continuous

present simple	Present Continuous
regular activities, daily routine, habits - regular action: We usually start work at 8 o'clock. (rus. We usually start work at 8 o'clock.) - does this every day: He is a doctor. He meets a lot of patients every day. (Rus. He is a doctor. He sees many patients every day.) marker words Present Simple: always, often, usually, sometimes, rarely, seldom, occasionally, hardly ever, never, every day/week/month/year	The action is happening at the moment of speaking (right now): - action at the moment of speaking: 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. (Rus. He's not seeing a patient right now. He's 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 a normal, 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! (eng. He is a really good student. He studies so hard!)	temporary state and actions: The action is limited to some 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. (eng. 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. (eng. 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
Fine 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. In our country it is very cold in winter.)	changing activities, activities in progress: -changing action: It is getting colder and colder here every day. (Russian. It's getting colder and colder every day.) -process: look! Sun is rising - it's so beautiful! (Russian. Look! The sun is rising - it's so beautiful!)
an action that happens always, regularly, using always: My girlfriend always talks on the phone in the evenings. (eng. 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 mild resentment using always: My girlfriend is always talking on the phone! (eng. Yes, my girlfriend always talks 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 always complains about his colleagues. = he does it too often, no one likes it)
schedule of transport, day, concerts: -schedule: The bus leaves at 4 o'clock tomorrow. (Rus. The bus leaves at 4 o'clock tomorrow.)	Plans and agreements for the future: -plans: They are leaving at 4 o'clock tomorrow. (Rus. They leave at 4 o'clock tomorrow.)

Present Continuous and Present Perfect Continuous

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

In contrast to the Simple Long time, in Present Perfect Continuous it is important not that the action is temporary and reflects the current process, but the process of its implementation in the past and, as a result, its result in the present.

Compare:

Wait, I'm trying to open the door(eng. Wait, I'm trying to open the door): now I'm trying, 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(rus. I tried to open the door, but it is still closed): I tried in the recent past, maybe still trying, but having 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 until now - the connection of the past with the present, there may be an indication of how long the action lasts:
Hurry up! We're waiting for you. (Russian. Hurry up! We are waiting for you. = waiting right now)	We've been waiting for 2 hours. (eng. 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 disturb her. She is studying English. = right now she is studying)	She speaks English pretty nice. She has been learning English for 2 years. (rus. She speaks English quite well. She has been studying English for 2 years = already for 2 years)

Instead of a conclusion

So we dismantled present continuous time- present continuous tense. In the lessons, you can consolidate in communication with the teacher all the rules that you just read about.

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

Present Continuous exercises

Everyone knows that any new theoretical knowledge requires consolidation in practice. Below are a few exercises on Present Continuous, as well as to compare Present Continuous and Present Simple and Present Continuous with Present Perfect Continuous, so be careful when doing it. :)

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 are 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 fruits 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 am 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 me.

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

The book consists of five chapters. I am currently reading the third one.

Looks like it's starting to rain...

Do you see this? It's incredible, I can't believe my eyes!

Lisa is very tired. She's been 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 in this park so much! I feel so happy!

1. Well, here it is again! She always sings in the shower!

In contact with

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

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

Present Continuous - the formation of sentences of different types

Statement

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

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

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

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

Negation

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

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

Question

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

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

Present Continuous - use in typical cases

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. The situation is temporary.

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

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

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

Special Uses of the Present Continuous Construction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The use of Present Continuous in difficult cases

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Life is running, and sometimes we do not notice the events taking place around us. The English, in order to pay a little attention to the beautiful seconds of the present, use the Present Continuous Tense.

What is the present continuous tense and why is it used? Maybe many will be surprised, but in the Russian language there are also long tenses, it’s just that grammar doesn’t distinguish them, because we already understand the difference between “walks” and “goes”, “came” and “walked”. Changing suffixes, prefixes and even the root itself seems natural to us, just like the use of auxiliary verbs by the English. Present Progressive (Continuous) helps to convey the duration of the process, that it is happening at the moment.

Comparison of present tenses

To make it easier to understand, consider some examples:

The main difference between these tenses is in the display of the action. If the first simply states a fact, says that there is, then a long or Continuous reveals in detail how this action proceeds.

Education

The Present Continuous rules are pretty easy to remember. To do this, you need to remember the conjugation of the verb to be in the present tense and form the first participle form (Participle 1) or, in other words, the verb with the ending -ing. It may sound a bit confusing, but it's actually easy. Consider the example of the verb to work:

TO BE (AM, IS, ARE) + Ving

What does this diagram mean? So, with the pronoun "I" the form "am" is used. We substitute “is” for “she, he, it”, but with all the rest (you, we, they) - are. After the auxiliary verbs, we put the predicate with the ending ing.

I am working now. - I am working now.

She (He, It) is working now. - She's working now.

They (You, We) are working now. - They are working now.

English grammar Present Continuous (Progressive) tense says that this time can be used in various sentences not only in meaning, but also in type: narrative, negative and interrogative. Of all tenses, the rules for the Present Continuous in this case are the easiest: either add the particle “not” or swap the subject and auxiliary verb.

Subject + to be + Ving + minor members (affirmative sentence).
Subject + to be + not + Ving + secondary members (negative sentence).
To be + subject + Ving + secondary members (interrogative sentence)?

I am writing a letter right now.
I am not reading a book now.
Are you cooking dinner now?

Of course, despite the simplicity of the formation of forms, the grammar of the present continius is complicated by some nuances: writing features with the ending -ing.

1. If the verb ends with "e", and before it is a consonant, then this letter disappears: use-using, manage - managing. But: dye - dyeing.
2. Letter "l" doubles at the end of a word: travel - travelling.
3. And here "at", despite previous consonants or vowels, is retained (in some English rules changes, but not in the verb): stay - staying, study - studying.
4. The consonant doubles after a short stressed syllable: stop - stopping, sit - sitting. And, if at the end of the word there is a stressed syllable " -er, - ur ": occur - occuring, prefer - preferring. That is why it is so important to get to know stressed and unstressed syllables.
5. "ie" changes to "y» at the end of the verb: die - dying.

Another difficulty is caused by verbs that are not used in the form of a long time. You will find all the details in the article.

Use

There are several uses of this tense in sentences and speech. How and why to use Continuous, you will learn from the following rules.

• To express an action that takes place right now, at the moment of the conversation. Such sentences are often followed by now, at (the) present moment, at this moment, Look! Listen! right now, just now.

What are you doing? — I am cooking now. Come and have supper with us. - What are you doing? I'm cooking now. Come join us for dinner.

• Some sentences emphasizing action in the present moment can be expressed parallel. So, to tell that the action is happening now, it lasts, unions such as while, when, as help:

I am reading a book while children are playing in their room. I am reading a book while the children are playing in the room.

• Present Continuous is used to express actions that take a slightly longer segment, but emphasizes that the action does not happen constantly, but that it lasts. some period. The following hints can be used here: still, the whole moning (evening, night), all day.

I am reading the novel by K. Smirnov. - I am reading a novel by K. Smirnov (the action is extended in time).
She is cooking the whole day. She cooks all day.
It is raining all day. - It has been raining all day.
Don't bother him! He is still sleeping. - Don't bother him! He is still sleeping.

• If we are something planned for the near future, then it is better to express your plans in the present continuous. Here, there must be hints in the sentence so as not to confuse Present and Future. It can be either tonight, tommorow, or verbs of motion. But the construction to be going to is most often used, which translates as "I'm going, I intend":

Are you doing anything tonight? - Are you doing anything tonight?
I am going to buy a new TV set. — I'm going to buy a new TV.

• Well, proposals are especially difficult reproach, irritation, condemnation and indignation. Usually everything is accompanied by emotional coloring and adverbs always, too often, constantly, never again. All this is a Present Simple pointer (it speaks of an ordinary event, fact), so look inside the sentence, text, meaning, so as not to confuse. Compare:

He is always going away for weekends. He's always away for the weekend.
He always goes away for weekends. He always goes away for the weekend.

• If the action is constantly changing, developing, wearing dynamic nature, then choose Present Continuous:

His handwriting is improving. He writes better and better.
Fitness is becoming a generally accepted principle of life. “Fitness is becoming an accepted principle of life.

Of course, at first you need to often look at the rules for the present continuum or at the table. But nothing, over time everything will be simpler, clearer and easier.

Present continuous (Present Continuous) - present prolonged tense of English verbs, which can also be called present progressive (Present Progressive). A very common form of the verb, has no analogue in Russian, but is not particularly difficult to understand.

Present Continuous, as a separate tense, is not indicated in Russian, so at first it causes some embarrassment, however, they usually quickly get used to it, especially after several dozen exercises (see at the end of the article).

First, a small digression from the topic to talk about the grammar textbook, according to which we will now study the present continius. This tutorial is recognized as the best of all time: English Grammar in Use » Murphy. Anyone who has ever held this book in their hands understands this very well. The textbook was already so well, conveniently structured that I immediately wanted to do it English grammar. Now it has been released in the fourth edition, it has become even better, it is also now online, it is much more convenient, since it is voiced.

There are also video tutorials, one of which, on the topic of present continius, we will now see. Then you can follow the link at the end of the video and try to study the textbook online - there is a free trial period. Everything is very clear and convenient.

By the way, a special free application has been published for tablets and smartphones. So what can be learned English grammar anytime and anywhere. Learn from the best materials You are wasting your precious time, you need to spend it efficiently.

Rules for using Present continius

Present continuous present (Present Continuos) in Anna's explanation in English (in Russian, see Sentences (examples)):

Formation Table Present Continuous (Present Continuous)

To understand well new material sometimes we need to get an explanation from different people. In addition, we are all so different that everyone generally needs to find their own personal best explanation.

So watch another lesson Irina Shipilova- this young girl has amazing energy, such contagious lessons, I think that she will best explain to someone the present continius (Present Continuous)

Sentences (examples) of using Present Continuous

1. The action is happening right now at the moment of the conversation, it is not finished (activity in progress).

Don't interrupt me. I'm working.
Why aren't you working?
Alice is writing a book.
We are going for a walk.
He is not drinking.
I'm stressing about my test.
She is texting a message.

2. Temporary activity

We are living in a hotel until we can find a house to buy.
You are being very silly today. Usually you are so sensible.

3. Possibly incomplete activity.

Sometimes the present continius is used when an action is not taking place at the moment of the conversation, but it is understood that it is taking place in principle. This explains the book example well: you started reading a book, you are not specifically reading it now, but since you have not finished it yet, you will continue to read, so feel free to say

I'm reading the book.
We are building the house.
They are studying languages.

4. Present continuous (Present Continuous) is used with words like: today, this week, this year:

You are working hard today/ this week/ this year

Exceptions.

There are four groups of state verbs that are rarely used in the present continuum, as they have the idea of ​​permanence and finality.

1. These are state of mind verbs: believe, think, assume, consider, understand, suppose, expect, agree, know, remember, forget
2. Emotion verbs: like, love, detest, envy, hate, hope, prefer, wish, want
3. Verbs of belonging and being: belong, own, depend, contain, cost, seem, apper, need, have
4. Feeling verbs: see, hear, taste, smell

However, if these verbs express an activity rather than a state, they can be used in the present continuum, for example:

I'm seeing Polly this afternoon ("see" means "meet")
I'm tasting the pasta to see if it needs more salt (express an activity)
She is expecting a baby (she is pregnant)

And if you want to explain Present Continuous to your kids, show them this funny cartoon, at the same time practice yourself, there are many examples of use

As a gift for the studied material

with the use of Present Continuous (Present Continuous) for you. Well, below are the exercises - check how you know the material.

Exercises (tests) for understanding

1. Present continius (elementary level) 10 questions

Choose the correct answer

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