Present continuous tense in English. Present Continuous - Present continuous tense in English

Present continuous tense - Present Progressive occurs quite often in English language. In Russian it is pronounced [present progressive] – English transcription. After studying the article, you will be able to easily find the Present Continuous in the text, conjugate verbs, learn to use all three forms of sentences, learn different rules use of this tense.

At the end of the article there are exercises that will help you master your language skills. Beginners may be confused with the Present Progressive, since these two tenses are used in the present form. Here, we have provided a detailed explanation on the topic – Present long time.

Read the story on Present Progressive. Be sure to pay attention to the underlined verbs.

Right now, it's Friday evening. Sindy and Ron are at home. They are sitting on the sofa. They are eating dinner. At this moment, Sindy is drinking water. She is eating chocolate. She is sitting next to Ron. She is talking to Ron. Ron is Sindy's husband. He is sitting on the sofa with Sindy. He is also drinking water. Ron is listening to Sindy. After dinner, Ron and Sindy are visiting their friends.

Cases of using Present Progressive tense (Continuous)

There are several cases where only the Present Continuous is used and not some other tense. Below are example sentences to help you understand the topic.

• 1. Actions that are happening at the moment, right now:

Example:

— My boss is having dinner with his sister now - The boss is now having lunch with his sister.
— My brother is having a shower at the moment – ​​My brother is taking a shower at the moment.
— I'm practicing Italian grammar – I am practicing Italian grammar.

• 2. Actions are happening now, but it is not necessary that they are happening at this moment. That is, when the action has begun but has not yet ended:

Example:

— My friend is preparing for his exam - My friend is preparing for the exam. (This means that it is being prepared, but not at the moment).
— I'm reading a great book – I’m reading a great book. (Not necessarily at this point. I started reading but haven't finished yet).
— My mother is writing a book – My mother is writing a book.
— She is looking for a new apartment – ​​She is looking for a new apartment.

• 3. If you have a photograph or painting and you want to describe it to someone, then we also use the Present Continuous:

Example:

—They are sitting on the bench. The two women on the left are drinking water. Some of them are eating apples – They are sitting on a bench. The two women on the left are drinking water. Some of them eat apples.
It doesn't matter whether the photo was taken just recently or several years ago, we still use our long time.

• 4. When there are 2 actions, one of which is in process, and the other is a habitual action, the first is expressed by Present Count., the second:

Example:

— You never close your mouth while you are eating– You never close your mouth while eating. (close – stands in, since this is a person’s habit, and the second is a process, which is why Present Progressive is used).
— I never sleep while I' m working– I never sleep while I’m working.

• 5. Actions that occur only temporarily:

Compare two examples:

(Similar and Present Progressive)

— She lives
— She is living with her grandparents – She lives with her grandparents.

What do you think is the difference?

In the first sentence, she lives permanently with her grandparents. In the second, this is a temporary situation.

More examples:

—His father works in Amsterdam – His father works in Amsterdam.
—His father is working in Amsterdam this month – His father is working in Amsterdam this month.

• 6. Constant repetitive actions with ever, always, forever, constantly that express irritation and criticism:

Example:

— Terry is constantly touching my books! – Terry touches my books all the time!
—They are always causing trouble! – They always cause problems!
— He is such a boring man, who’s always making a fuss about nothing! “He’s such a boring person who always makes scandals about nothing!”

Pay attention to next example:

— The earth is always moving– The earth is always moving.

In this sentence, the Earth literally moves and this is true. It's a continuous process. That's why we use the Present Continuous.

• 7. Planned actions, events in the near future:

Example:

-I' m visiting my family tonight – in the evening I will visit my family (everything is planned).
—They are gettingtin g married next week - They will get married next week.
—My husband is picking me up at 7 o’clock tonight - My husband will pick me up at seven o’clock.

• 8. Changing or developing situations:

Example:

— The climate is getting warmer – The climate is becoming warmer.
— The price of gold is increasing– The price of gold is rising.
—Your English and German are getting better – Your English and German are improving.

• 9. Physical condition:

We can use the Present Progressive (Continuous) to express a physical state.

Example:

— How are you feeling? - How do you feel?

But we can also say:

— How do you feel?

Using Present Indefinite the meaning is the same.

— My back is hurting- My back hurts.
— My back hurts

The two options in Present Continuous and (present simple) are absolutely correct.

• 10. Trends:

Example:

—More and more people are using their computers to watch films – More and more more people use computers to watch movies.

• 11. Another time we use the Present Progressive is when you have the feeling that you are becoming aware of something:

Example:

— I find
— I'm finding it difficult to live with him - It’s difficult for me to live with him.

- In the first version, these feelings are not new for you.
- In the second option, when you use the present continuous tense, then these feelings are new to you. That is, you have only now begun to think about it.
A common mistake is to use this form to describe what the company sells or produces. In general, a company sells something on a regular basis, so you need to use the present simple rather than the present continuous.

Let's look at examples:

— Incorrect: We are producing plastic pipes.
- Correct: We produce plastic pipes - We produce plastic pipes.

Marker words (satellites) Present Progressive (Continuous)

The English language uses indicator words, they tell you what tense you should use. In the present continuous tense, these words are used in situations that occur during conversation or making plans for the near future.

Actions taking place at the moment of speech (now):

Look!
Listen!
At present
Now
Just now
At the moment
Right now

Events for the near future:

In the morning etc.
Tomorrow
Next/next week
Tonight
Today
This afternoon

Always
Still
Nowadays

Examples of sentences for clue words (markers):

Look! The sun is rising – Look! The sun is rising.

I'm looking after June's dog this week– I'm looking after June's dog this week.

She is staying with parents in Rome at present– He is currently with his parents in Rome.

Present Progressive (Continuous) sentence forms

Let's look at how sentence forms are used in the present continuous tense in English.

Positive Sentences

As always, an affirmative sentence begins with a subject, then follows auxiliary to be, which changes. Therefore, we need to repeat the conjugation of the verb to be (I am, They are, He is etc). The ending -ing is added to the semantic verb, and the particle to is not used.

The formula is very simple:
Subject + to be + main Verb + ing(Participle Participle I)
Subject + verb to be + semantic verb + -ing form.

Table of the affirmative form Present Continuous Tense:

Native speakers very often shorten the pronoun and to be:

I am – I’m having a good time in these woods.
You are – You’re holding my handbag.
You can also feel free to shorten pronouns for quick speech.

Negative form of sentences Present Progressive (Negative Sentences)

The construction of negative sentences is the same as in Russian. You need to add the particle ‘not’ after to be. Everything else is in place. To simplify, let's look at the table:

Short form of negative sentences:

They aren't jumping or They're not...
He isn't phoning or He’s not...
And so on.

Interrogative or question sentences Present Progressive (Interrogative or question sentences)

To form an interrogative sentence, you will need:

Verb to be (verb to be) – takes 1st place
Subject (subject) – takes 2nd place
Main verb (semantic verb) – takes 3rd place

Table of the interrogative form of a sentence:

Do you know that there is also an interrogative-negative form? Let's look at an example:

- Is she not studying?

The shortened form can also be used without hesitation in the following sentences:

— Isn't she studying?

Learn more about question sentences:

Dividing questions - Tag questions
General questions - Yes/No questions
Alternative questions
Special or WH-questions

Rules for the formation of Present Continuous (Progressive) tense in English. Rules for adding -ing endings to verbs

When an -ing form is added to a verb, some of them change in spelling:

• 1. Verbs in - e, when adding -ing form, the letter is - e no longer required:

- Have - having

Verbs ending with a long sound - e, then add -ing from without changing the spelling:

- See - seeing
- Agree - agreeing

• 2. Verbs in - ie, when adding -ing form, the letter changes to - y:

• 3. Verbs in - y, when adding -ing form, the letter is preserved:

- Cry - crying

• 4. If the verb consists of one syllable and ends in (consonant + vowel + consonant), then the last consonant is doubled:

— Plan — planning
- Win - winning

• 5. When a verb ends in (S + G + S) and has two or more syllables, and if the final syllable is stressed, then the last consonant is doubled:

- Forget - forgetting
— Regret — regretting

Note:
Below are verbs ending in (C + G + C). However, the consonant is not doubled since they end in w, x or y:

- Row - rowing
- Stay - staying

The word Travel can be spelled in two ways:

Traveling – American version/American English

Traveling – British version/British English

General Table of Formation of the Present Continuous Tense - Present Progressive

Present Progressive (Continuous) - Present continuous tense: exercises with translation and answers

Do the exercises to help you understand the material.

Exercise 1(exercise). Put the verb into the Present Continuous and translate the sentences.

1. Tom (eat) an apple.

2. My granddad (wear) a nice coat.

3. Sarah and Rob (talk) to father.

4. Jim (do) the washing-up right now.

5. Peter (sit) on the bench.

6. My mum (prepare) brunch now.

7. Ben (pack) the picnic basket.

8. Listen! Stan (come) home.

9. We (collect) our son from school.

10. I (not wash) my hair.

Answers. Answers to the exercise:

1. Is eating
2.Are wearing
3. Are talking
4. Is doing
5. Is sitting
6. Is preparing
7. Is packing
8. Is coming
9. Are collecting
10. Am not washing

Exercise 2. Put the sentences into interrogative form using the Present Progressive.

1. __ I ___ (wear) a warm sweater?

2. __ he ___ (read) the magazine?

3. __ the President ___ (make) the right decision?

4. ___ we ___ (read) a lot of books?

5. __ my sisters ___ (come) to the concert with us?

Answers. Answers to the exercise:

1. Am I wearing…?
2. Is he reading...?
3. Is the President making...?
4. Are we reading...?
5. Are my sisters coming...?

Exercise 3. Put the verbs in -ing form and distribute them in a table.

Rob, listen, lie, use, die, cry, come, travel, put, bring, run, tie, dive, hope, go.

Answers. Answers to the exercise:

1. Robbing
2. Lying
3.Using
4.Bringing
5.Running
6. Tying
7.Hoping
8.Going
9. Crying
10. Coming
11.Putting

Exercise 4. Exercise on the differences between Present Simple and Present Progressive.

1. I (work) from 8 to 6 every day.

2. She (watch) TV right now.

3. My brother always (play) soccer on Saturday.

4. Can your father (speak) Chinese?

5. What do you (do)? I'm drinking a cup of tea.

6. He (write) a letter to his girlfriend now.

7. We need an umbrella because it (rain) outside.

8. Be quite because my baby (sleep).

9. John (visit) his parents twice a week.

10. They always (go) to university from Monday to Friday.

Answers. Answers to the exercise:

1. Work
2. Is watching
3.Plays
4. Speak
5. Are you doing
6. Is writing
7. Is raining
8. Is sleeping
9. Visits
10.Go

Hello my wonderful readers.

Didn't you know that I absolutely love grammar? Yes, for some it seems like a complete nightmare, but I love analyzing every new rule, every new phenomenon. And of course, I dream that everyone knows her, if not perfectly, then at least well. Therefore, today we will study in more detail my favorite topic - "Rules Present Continuous". We will learn in detail when it is used, how this time is formed, and also see dozens of examples.

Well, are you ready?

What is it and when is it used?

• I hope you remember that in English we have as many as 16 tenses, as opposed to only 3 in Russian. So, to describe those events that are happening right now, at this moment in time, we use Present Continuous.

Let's look at examples:

I am reading- I'm reading (right now).

My mother is cooking a dinner.- Mom is preparing dinner.

Bethany is cleaning the house.- Bethany cleans the house.

In all these cases, the action is happening right now! The most important thing for children who are just starting to learn grammar is to understand this particular rule. This is the basics that will be easy to handle at first.

• But further it will be more difficult, because the use of the Present Continuous is not limited only to this rule. In English there is such a concept - future arrangements- planned future actions. This is, for example, when you say that you are going to the doctor tomorrow, or your father has a planned interview. Surprisingly, in English they are also used in this tense.

I am going to my doctor tomorrow.- Tomorrow I'm going to see my doctor.

I am visiting grandmother this weekend.- This weekend I am visiting my grandmother.

She is having a very important meeting tomorrow. - Tomorrow she has a very important meeting.

• It is not uncommon to see this tense used to describe actions that do not occur specifically at a given moment, but are temporary in general. Let's figure it out:

Tom is studying hard this month. He is having an exam next week. -Tom is studying hard. He has an exam next week.

“Doing” in this context does not mean doing something right now. The time period of the action covers a whole month, but it is very important for us to show that this was a direct process.

Mary is working late for the last couple of weeks. She is having a project presentation next month.-Maria has been working late for the past few weeks. She has a project presentation next month.

• Very often Present Continuous used with adverb always-always to express your irritation about something.

You are always leaving your cup on the table.- You always leave the cup on the table.

She is always making things worse. - She always makes things worse.

• Moreover, this time is often used when you need to describe a changing situation. For example:

The cities are becoming bigger and bigger.- Cities are getting bigger and bigger.

The climate is getting warmer.- The climate is getting warmer.

Important information about verbs!

It is very important to remember that there is table of verbs that cannot be used in the Present Continuous tense. These are verbs such as:

like, dislike, hate, own, feel, taste, smell, enjoy, prefer, understand, realize, include, contain, cost, appear, mean.

When, according to the meaning of the sentence, we need to put them in a long time, we still use Present Simple. Let's see examples:

I don’t believe a word he is saying.- I don't believe a single word he says.

Not: I am not believing a word he is saying.

I see a plane in the sky.- I see a plane in the sky.

Not:I am seeing a plane in the sky

But there are also some nuances here. And I dedicated a separate article to them. This is the English language - all in nuances

Education rules

The general rule for the formation of time can be stated as follows:

• Subject + auxiliary verb to be + verb ending -ing (V-ing) + object.

She (subject) is (auxiliary) baking (verb) a cake (object) . - It's preparing a pie.

He is repairing a car. - He is fixing the car.

They are swimming in the sea. - They swim in the sea.

In the negative form, a particle is added to the auxiliary verb not. – note that often, especially in colloquial speech, it is shortened, merging with the verb “to be”.

• Subject + auxiliary verb to be + not + verb ending -ing (V-ing) + object.

She isn’t (is not) studying for the exam. She's having a break. - She is not preparing for the exam. She's on a break.

He isn’t (is not) painting the door as the paint has finished.- He doesn’t paint the door because he’s run out of paint.

They aren't (are not) driving home. They are going to the lake.- They're not going home. They are going to the lake.

To make an interrogative sentence, you simply swap the auxiliary verb and the subject of the action.

• Auxiliary verb to be + subject + verb ending -ing (V-ing) + object?

Is he reading a book?- He is reading a book?

Are they building a house on the tree?-Are they building a tree house?

Is she looking at that boy?- Is she looking at that boy?

And finally...

Remember, my dears, that the best thing you can do when learning English is exercise. Without practice chances Learning a language for any person is minimal. Right now you can practice the new rule in or on my website. And in what I recommended, you will find even more useful tasks. For a complete overview of English tenses, you can always refer to this table and to

I hope, my dears, that the topic Tenses you liked it as much as I did. I am absolutely sure that you will soon fall in love with them, because there is nothing complicated here. And I will share new materials with you. Stay tuned for my blog updates. And if you really can’t wait, subscribe to my newsletter and find out about everything instantly.

Here you can take a lesson on the topic: Present Continuous Tense in English. Present Continuous Tense.

In this lesson we will learn about another frequently used tense in English called Present Continuous(Present continuous). The Present Continuous is usually used for naming actions currently taking place. Additionally, this time can be characterized as unfinished and visual.

English verbs take on a special form to express the present continuous tense, namely the verb to be in the appropriate form is combined with a verb ending in the suffix -ing (Ving). Thus, the formula of verbs in the Present Continuous is as follows: to be + Ving. For example:

He is watching football on TV. - He watches football on TV. (action takes place at the moment)

To better understand what verbs look like in the Present Continuous, consider the conjugation of the verb work using personal pronouns as an example:

I am working (I"m working) - I am working
you are working (you"re working) - you are working / You are working
he is working (he"s working) - he is working
she is working (she"s working) - she is working
it is working (it "s working) - he/she works (inanimate)
we are working (we"re working) - we are working
they are working (they"re working) - they are working

As can be seen from the conjugation, there are also shortened forms. Moreover, they are preferable.

An interesting feature of verbs ending in -ing is their pronunciation.

As a rule, the last letter (g) in the ending is not read, and a deep nasal sound /ŋ/ is produced.
For example:
dancing /"da:nsiŋ/
singing /"siŋiŋ/ (especially difficult to pronounce due to the double nasal sound)
reading /"ri:diŋ/

listening /"lisəniŋ/ writing /"raitiŋ/ There are also several

spelling rules

verbs to which the ending -ing is added:
1. So, for example, to verbs ending in the letter -e, when adding the ending -ing, the letter -e disappears. For example:
change - changing (change - changes)

arrive - arriving (arrive - arrives) dance - dancing (dance - dances) 2. In monosyllabic verbs ending in one vowel and one consonant, when adding the suffix -ing

The consonant is doubled.
For example:
swim - swimming (swim - floats)

run - running (run - runs)

sit - sitting (sit - sitting)
3. If the verb ends in a combination of letters -ie, then when adding the ending -ing, this combination is replaced by the letter -y.
For example:

lie - lying (to lie - lies) die - dying (die - dies) These verbs are called static verbs. These primarily include verbs of all feelings (for example: like, love, hate, smell, see, hear, etc.), verbs of thought processes (for example: think, know, understand, believe, etc. .), and all modal verbs.

I. As already noted, present time Continuous is closely connected with the present, namely with actions at the moment. For this reason, very often in sentences expressed in the present continuous tense there are marker words: now, at the moment. Let's look at an example:

I am reading a book now.
- I'm reading a book now.
They are fishing now.

- They are fishing now. Claude is watching a cartoon at the moment. - Claude is watching a cartoon at the moment. Looking at the examples, we can conclude that in affirmative sentences in Present Continuous time are of great importance

subject and transformed predicate,
and the circumstance (now, at the moment) and the addition, depending on the context, may be omitted. As a rule, even without the words now or at the moment, the formula to be+Ving in a sentence means that the action is happening right now. Let's look at a few more examples:
The baby's (is) crying. - The child is crying (now, at the moment).
They"re having a party. - They are having a party (now, at the moment).
The dogs are barking.

- The dogs are barking (now, at the moment). She "s playing the violin. - She plays the violin (now, at the moment). They "re moving furniture. - They move (rearrange) furniture (now, at the moment).

II.
Negative sentences
in time, the Present Continuous is formed by adding the particle “not” to the verb to be in the appropriate form. Let's look at the example of conjugating the verb talk with personal pronouns:
I am not talking (I"m not talking) - I don’t talk
you are not talking (you aren't talking) - you don't talk / You don't talk
he is not talking (he isn't talking) - he doesn't speak
she is not talking (he isn't talking) - she doesn't speak

it is not talking (it isn't talking) - he/she does not speak (inanimate; may also apply to babies and any animals)

we are not talking (we aren't talking) - we don't talk
They aren't eating cookies, they're eating ice-cream. - They don't eat cookies, they eat ice cream.
The baby isn't crying, it is sleeping. - The baby is not crying, he is sleeping.

III. IN interrogative sentences in the Present Continuous tense, the verb to be is brought forward and the following word order is obtained:

To be - Subject - Ving - (Object) - (Adverbial modifier - now, at the moment)?

Let's look at a few examples:

Are you looking at the tower? -Are you looking at the tower?
Is he listening to the radio now? - Is he listening to the radio now?
Are the dogs barking?
-Do dogs bark?
Are you laughing?

- You're laughing?

Is she writing a letter at the moment? - Is she writing a letter at the moment?
These examples refer to general questions and require short answers: yes or no. And short answers in the Present Continuous repeat the verb to be in the question. For example:

Is he watching a film at the moment? -Yes, he is. -No, he isn't. - Is he watching TV at the moment? - Yes. - No. Are Jill and Erica arguing now? - Yes, they are.

-No, they aren't." - Are Gil and Erica quarreling now? - Yes. - No.
For education
special issues
In the Present Continuous you need to use a question word (who, what, where, etc.) before the verb to be. For example:

What are you doing now? - What are you doing now? Where is she going? - Where is she going? Who are they looking for? - Who are you looking for?

Why are they crying? - Why are they crying? Thus, we have examined the basic rules of education different types sentences in the present continuous tense, as well as some stylistic and phonetic features of this tense. For practice, it is recommended to construct as many sentences as possible about the actions taking place around you at the moment, and this will be a good language exercise. Continuous is formed from a verb amto continue ‘ - continue. Present continuous/progressive – present tense for present activity. It is formed as a personal formnot, isnot / be+ present participle. Negative forms of the present continuous -, arenot / not/+ present participle. Negative forms of the present continuous - m

isn't

t

aren't	before communion.	I’m working – I’m working

am/is/are + -ing

is sb doing sth sb is doing sth

sb isn't doing sth — e Writing To attach an ending)

–ing

- verbs with consonant +

discard the last vowel (except

being

starve – starving

carve - carving — ie- verbs with a stressed vowel + consonant double the last consonant – rub – rubbing

stop – stopping

- verbs inchange it to

y- — lie – lying double the last consonant (in British English)

travel – travelling

cancel - cancelling

Present-continuous meanings

• ongoing actions

He'sdoinghishomework – He does his homework

She’s giving the baby a bath right now – Nowshebatheschild

• temporary actions (current period)

I’m looking for a new job these days – Ilooking fornewwork

She’s doing a course in engineering – Shepasseswellengineer

The decorator’s painting the children’s bedrooms this week so they’re sleeping in the living-room – Decoratorcolorschildren's, That's whychildrensleepingVliving room

• annoying actions (with always/constantly/continuously/all the time)

I’m always meeting Sara when I go shopping – IAlwaysI come acrossonSarahVstores

You’re constantly interrupting me when I’m talking – ForeverYoumeinterrupt, WhenII say

• changes (situations in development)

Venice isfallingintothesea ​​– Venice plunges into the sea

More and more species are becoming extinct - Going extinctAllmoreAndmorebiospecies

The number of cars on roads is increasing rapidly each year – Annuallyonroadsrapidlygrowingnumbercars

• emotional desires

I'mchange it toforacupofcoffee – I really want a cup of coffee

I'mlovingit! – How I adore it!

• short-term plans (with specific time/place)

He'sflyingbackonSaturday – He flies back on Saturday

We'redrivinguptoScotland nextweek – Next week we are driving to Scotland

They’re moving into their new house next week – Througha weekTheyare movingVnewhouse

Really- long-termfuture

In the latter (future) meaning, the present continuous tense denotes personal preparations for social activities. The scheduled time must be stated or implied. In this informal meaning the subject is animate.

I’m meeting Charlotte for lunch tomorrow – TomorrowII'm having lunchWithCharlotte

Going to

Present-long future close to turnover (be)goingto (going to) for intention/prediction.

I'mgoingtoBobtomorrow – Tomorrow I’m going to Bob’s

It’s going to be dark in half an hour – JudgingByeverything, throughhalf an hourit will get dark

Going to does not accept verbs of motion like to go/come/visit/move.

We’re going to the movies tonight – In the eveningWelet's goVmovie

Reduced-conversational contraction goingto— gonna.

What'reyougonnadowhentheycomeforyou? – What will you do when they come for you?

Temporary instruction

The present continuous tense is characterized by adverbs/adverbial phrases like

(right) now, at the/this moment, at present, these days, this week/month, still, nowadays, today, tonight

English Joke

The old trapper was chased by a grizzly. When he had thrown away everything he carried, and found, nevertheless, that the bear was gaining rapidly, he determined to make a stand. As he came into a small clearing, he faced about with his back to a stump, and got out and opened his clasp-knife. The bear halted a rod away, and sat on its haunches, surveying its victim gloatingly. The trapper, though not usually given to praying, now improved the interval to offer a petition.

"O God," he said aloud, with his eyes on the bear, "if you're on my side, let my knife git 'im quick in 'is vitals, an' if you're on 'is side, let' im finish me fust off. But, O God, if you’re nootral, you jist sit thar on that stump, an’ you’ll see the darndest bear fight you ever hearn tell on!”