English present continuous. The scheme of formation of the present continuous tense in English

Continuous is formed from a verb to continue- continue. The present continuous/progressive is the present tense for current activity. It is formed as a personal form be+ real communion. Negative forms of the present continuous - amnot / ‘ mnot, isnot / isn'tt, arenot / aren'tt before communion.

I'm working - I'm working

Writing

To add an end –ing

- consonant verbs + — e discard the last vowel (except being)

starve – starving

carve-carving

- verbs with a stressed vowel + consonant double the last consonant

rub-rubbing

stop - stopping

- verbs in — ie change it to – y-

lie-lying

die-dying

- verbs with a vowel + — l double the final consonant (in British English)

travel-traveling

cancel - cancelling

Present Continuous Values

• ongoing activities

He'sdoinghishomework - He does his homework

She's giving the baby a bath right nowshebatheschild

• temporary actions (in the current period)

I'm looking for a new job these dayslooking 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 – Decoratorpaintschildren's, That's whychildrenare sleepingVliving room

• harassing actions (with always/constantly/continually/all the time)

I'm always meeting Sara when I go shopping - IAlwayscome acrossonSarahVstores

You're constantly interrupting me when I'm talking - ForeverYoumeinterrupting, WhenII say

• changes (situations in development)

Venice isfallingintothesea ​​– Venice sinks into the sea

More and more species are becoming extinct - Dying outAllmoreAndmorebiospecies

The number of cars on roads is increasing rapidly each yearonroadsswiftlygrowsnumbercars

• emotional desires

I'mdyingforacupofcoffee - Horror how I want a cup of coffee

I'mlovingit! – How I love it!

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

He'sflyingbackonSaturday - He flies back on Saturday

We'redrivinguptoScotland nextweek - On next week we are driving to scotland

They're moving into their new house next week - ThroughweekTheyare movingVnewhouse

Really- longfuture

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

I'm meeting Charlotte for lunch tomorrow - TomorrowIhaving lunchWithCharlotte

going to

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

I'mgoingtoBobtomorrow - Tomorrow I'm going to Bob

It's going to be dark in half an hour - JudgingByeverything, throughhalf an hourit gets 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 colloquial abbreviation goingto— gonna.

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

Temporary indication

The present-long 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!"

🔊 The Present Continuous Tense (the present continuous tense in English) is a tense form of a verb that is used to express an action taking place at the moment of speaking in the present.

Time Present Continuous in English is formed according to the following model:

am/is/are + participle I (initial form ch. + ending -ing)

Summary table of education Present Continuous

Using Present Continuous

The present continuous tense in English is characterized by the presence of the following marker words:

• circumstances of time with which it is used:
  • 🔊 now(Now);
  • 🔊Look!(Look!);
  • 🔊Listen!(Listen!);
  • 🔊 at the moment(for now);
  • 🔊 this week(this week);
  • 🔊 this time(at that time);
• in emotionally colored sentences:
  • 🔊 always(Always);
  • 🔊 constantly(constantly);
  • 🔊 continually(continuous);
  • 🔊 forever(Always);
  • 🔊 repeatedly(repeatedly).

The use of the present continuous tense in English:

• designation of the process taking place at the moment of speaking. This is the action that can be seen:
  🔊 I am reading the book. - I I read book.
• the designation of a process that occurs in the present period of time, but not exactly at the moment of speaking, to denote something impermanent:
  🔊He is raising to play volley-ball. - He studies play volleyball.
• designation of a changing or developing situation:
  🔊 Our world is changing. - Our world is changing.
• description of behavior that is not characteristic of this person:
  🔊 You are being very naughty. - You're doing something very naughty.
• an emotional description of situations that happen too often, from the speaker's point of view. In this case, marker words are used always, constantly, repeatedly:
  🔊 You are always losing your keys! - You constantly losing your keys!
• description of planned actions in the future, especially when the time and place of these events are stipulated:
  🔊 I am meeting my teacher at 5. - I dating with your teacher at 5.
• physical sensations can be expressed in Present Simple or Present Continuous tenses without much difference in meaning:
  🔊 My leg aches. / 🔊 My leg is teaching. - My leg hurts.

Features of using Present Continuous in English

There are verbs that are not used in Continuous tense, since they denote not so much an action as a state (see table below).

*Note. The verb is also used in a number of phrases that denote a process, not a possession. In such cases, this verb is used in the Present Continuous tense:

• 🔊 I have a mobile phone. - I have a mobile (possession);
• 🔊 I am having breakfast. - I have breakfast (process);
• 🔊 I am having an English lesson. - I am sitting in an English lesson (process);
• 🔊 I am having a meeting. I am sitting in a meeting (process).

Construction use to be going to

Design to going to used to express an action that will inevitably take place in the future. In this case, the speaker sees or knows evidence that this action will be performed.

Remember, at school, in the third grade, the English teacher showed you pictures in which people were busy with different useful deeds, and asked in English: “What is he doing?”. And you answered: "He reads", "He helps his mother" or "He builds a birdhouse." On this acquaintance with Present Continuous for many of us ended.

Present Continuous, or present continuous tense, one of the basic tenses of the English language, starting from which you will build your system of tenses.

First, we will consider how the forms of this time are formed.

To form a statement, we need two components: auxiliary to be (am/ is / are - depending on the subject) and ending verb-ING.

* informational question with the word When ? is not set in Present Continuous, since the form itself to be + Ving indicates that the action is happening at the moment of speech, therefore, the question of time does not make sense.

At all times the group Continuous and in all types of statements there is an auxiliary verb to be and a semantic verb with the ending -ING.

How to add an ending -ING to verbs? When this ending is added to the verb, the spelling of the verb changes. There are a few rules to remember:

Now consider the use cases Present Continuous.

1. An action that occurs at the moment of speech. (Action in progress at the moment of speaking)

Present Continuous serves to express an action that is happening at the moment of speech, often in front of our eyes, that is, we can observe the process.

At the time of speech indicate such time indicators: now(Now), at the moment(at present), still(still). Time pointers now And at the moment may not be used, because the form itself to be + Ving indicates that the action is happening right now, at the moment of speech.

In addition, words that serve to attract attention (look, listen, be careful, etc.), indicate that the action is happening at the moment of speech.

look! She is dancing! - Look! She is dancing!
Jim is still doing his homework. Jim is still doing his homework.
Be careful! The ladder is falling! - Carefully! The ladder is falling!

2. Temporary actions and states

States are actions that seem to be in progress at the time of speech, but we cannot see them. For example: live, work, study.

Using the Present Continuous in this sense, you are saying: “I’m doing it now, but it’s temporary, I don’t usually do it. When the action is completed, everything will return to its place".

Pointers: today, this week, these days, tonight, at present.

I'm living at my friend's while my flat is being redecorated. - I live with a friend while my apartment is being renovated. (This is a temporary action, the renovation will be completed and I will return to my apartment)

He likes science fiction but this month he is reading historical novels as it's the topic of this month. - He loves science fiction, but this month he is reading historical novels because that is the theme of this month. (The action is temporary, the topic will end and he will read fiction again)

She is working as a secretary these days. She is currently working as a secretary. (This is a casual job)

3. Changing and progressive actions (Changing or developing situations)

If you are watching any process and see the changes taking place, then you should use Present Continuous. Often used with comparative paired adjectives: more and more, better and better.

It is becoming a client and colder. - It's getting colder and colder.
The flowers are becoming more and more beautiful. - The flowers are getting more and more beautiful.
It is getting hotter. I will have a break. - It's getting hotter. I'll take a break.

4. Plans and agreements. (Arrangements)

The present continuous also has a future meaning. It can denote personal plans and arrangements for the near future. Often with indications of place and time. In Russian, we use the present tense in the same way to express the future action that we have planned:

Mr. Smith is leaving tomorrow at 11.00. - Mr. Smith leaves tomorrow at 11.00.
I am taking my exam tomorrow so I am studying tonight. - I'm taking the exam tomorrow, so I'm studying tonight.
We are meeting the manager tomorrow at 10 o'clock. We are meeting with the manager tomorrow at 10 o'clock.

5. At the beginning of the story to create an atmosphere. (Setting the scene)

If you are going to tell a story, you can use the Present Continuous to create a setting, to give the listeners an opportunity to imagine the situation. You can use the word Imagine(Imagine).

The Present Simple is used to describe the main events.

He is walking through the dark forest. It is raining and the wind is blowing. - He's walking through a dark forest. It's raining and the wind is blowing.
Imagine: you are in the garden. The sun shining is and the birds are singing. Imagine you are in a garden. The sun is shining and the birds are singing.

6. Frequently repeated actions to convey irritation or surprise (Annoying or surprising actions)

Always is considered a typical Present Simple marker, but this adverb can be used with the Present Continuous to express an action that is repeated too often: constantly, all the time. Such actions either irritate us or surprise us.

Except always, can be used constantly And continuously.

My sister is always leaving her dirty dishes on the table. My sister constantly leaves dirty dishes on the table.
You are constantly interrupting me! - You interrupt me all the time!
I am always meeting you in this shop. - I always meet you in this store.

Comparative characteristics present simple And Present Continuous you will find .

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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 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 you can learn English grammar anytime, 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)

In order to understand new material well, we sometimes 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

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

General information

In Russian, you can find sentences of the following type:

• You can not rush! The shop is still open!
• She is now choosing a new dress.
• At the moment they are discussing new issues.

As can be seen from the examples, we are talking about long-term actions, about processes that occur at the very moment when they are spoken about. In Russian, this is indicated by words such as “now”, “at the moment”, “still”. Verbs are used in the present tense. The situation is different in English. To express duration, only adverbs of time are not enough. The main exponent of duration in the language of Foggy Albion is the tense form Present Continuous (Present Continuous):

• Don't hurry! The shop is still working!
• Now she is choosing a new dress.
• At this moment they are discussing new questions.

Education

Sentences in English are built according to the direct word order. In the first place - the subject, in the second - the predicate. Affirmative sentences in Present Continuous are no exception. Only the predicate is expressed by two verbs: auxiliary to be and the main one with the addition of the ending to its basis - ing. The following table demonstrates how the formula works in practice "subjects + to be + main verb + -ing":

When adding the ending -ing to the stem of a semantic verb, it is necessary to pay attention to the final vowel or consonant:

• if the verb ends with a silent vowel -e, then it is omitted ( to bake - baking, to blame - blaming);
• if the verb ends in -ie, then this combination is replaced by -y ( to die - dying);
• if the verb consists of one syllable and ends in a vowel + consonant, then the final consonant is doubled ( to cut - cutting, to put - putting).

Negative sentences

Negation in English is built using the negative particle not (not). In the Present Continuous tense, it stands between the auxiliary and main verbs: subject + to be + not + main verb + -ing.

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Question

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

Use cases

The answer to the question of when Present Continuous (Present Continuous) is used lies on the surface - in the very name of time. The word Present (Present) indicates that the action takes place in the present, and Continuous (Long) emphasizes the duration, the duration of the event. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Under dark water, other nuances of using this time are hidden:

• To illustrate an action that is happening at the moment of speech. In this case, it is possible to use such time markers as at this moment (at the moment), now (now):

My father is not smoking now. He is speaking to our neighbor - My father doesn't smoke now. He is talking to our neighbor.

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

My grandmother is currently sewing a new shirt for me

• To illustrate temporary situations, events. In these sentences, you can find words such as until (yet), for (during), during (during):

Ann is working as a teacher until she moves to another city - Anna works as a teacher until she moves to another city (her job is not permanent, but temporary).

• To describe events that do not "stand in one place", they develop, change. As a rule, in these cases, the verbs to change (change), to get (become), to begin (begin), to improve (improve), to become (become) are used:

His skills are getting better - His skills are getting better.

• To describe planned activities, as well as events that should happen in the near future:

Tonight they are organizing New Year party - Tonight they are preparing a New Year's party.

The stable expression to be going to (gather) is used in the meaning of the future (We are going to visit a doctor - We are going to visit the doctor).

What have we learned?

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

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