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The present continuous tense is the rule in English. Using the Present Continuous Tense. Negative form in Present Continuous Tense

Affirmative form

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

1. I am typing a message - I am writing a message (now).

typing – infinitive type + ending -ing

2. Boris is playing the piano now - Boris is now playing the piano.

playing – infinitive play + ending -ing
now (now) – a word denoting the moment of speech

3. We are watching the football match - We are watching a football match (now).

watching – infinitive watch + ending -ing

Negative form

Subject + to be (am, is, are) + not + Present Participle (infinitive without to with ending -ing)

1. I am not having a bath - I am not taking a bath (now).

am – auxiliary verb to be
not – negative particle
having – infinitive have + ending -ing

2. It is not snowing - It’s not snowing (now)

is – auxiliary verb to be
not – negative particle
snowing – infinitive snow + ending -ing

3. My parents are not sleeping - My parents are not sleeping (now).

are – auxiliary verb to be
not – negative particle
sleeping – infinitive sleep + ending -ing

Question form

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

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

is – auxiliary verb to be stands on first
cutting – infinitive cut + ending -ing

2. Is the plane taking off right now? – Is the plane taking off right now?

is – auxiliary verb to be stands on first place to formulate a question
taking – infinitive take + ending -ing

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

are – auxiliary verb to be worth after question word why and before subject to
shouting – infinitive shout + ending -ing

#2 Cases of using the Present Continuous

1. Long-lasting action, which occurs at the moment of speech.

The cat is playing with its tail - The cat is playing with its tail. (now, at the moment)
Don't make a noise, Mary is work ing– Don’t make noise, Maria is working.

2. Long lasting action continues now, but not necessarily at the moment of speech.

I "m looking for a book the Codex Leicester - I am looking for the book “Leicester Codex.” (a person is looking for a book, but not at the time of speech. The action has begun, but has not yet ended)

Present Continuous shows what at the present time Human looking for this book, but usually (at all) he doesn’t do this.

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

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

A few more similar examples.

Have you heard about John? He is writing a book about bodybuilding – Have you heard about John? He is writing a book about bodybuilding. (currently, but not at the moment of speaking)
My brother is working on a new online shop – My brother is working on a new online store. (currently, but not at the moment of speaking)

3. Action Expression in the future when it comes about intention or pre-planned action.

We are going to the cinema tonight - Tonight we are going to the cinema.
Our manager is leaving London tomorrow - Our manager is leaving London tomorrow.

4. With words always(Always), constantly(constantly), etc. Present Continuous expresses an action that is repeated again and again. Usually in such sentences the speaker expresses impatience, disapproval.

He is always losing his keys! – He always loses his keys!
Why are you always criticizing her? – Why do you always criticize her?
She is constantly stealing our images – She constantly steals our images.

5. Present Continuous is used to show change in situation or trend.

The weather is improving - The weather is improving.
The climate is changing rapidly - The climate is changing rapidly.
The cars are becoming more and more expensive – Cars are becoming more and more expensive.

#3 Turnover TO BE GOING TO

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

I am going to work with them – I am going to work with them.
She is going to complain to the manager about your behavior - She is going to complain to the manager about your behavior.
How long are you going to wait for him? – How long are you going to wait for him?
We are going to invite her - We are going to invite her.

#4 Verbs that not used in Present Continuous

The verbs listed below are not used in times Continuous groups. As a rule, these verbs are used in tenses groups Indefinite. This is explained by the fact that these verbs reflect feelings and states, not actions.

For example:

I am wanting some coffee(wrong)
I want some coffee (correct)

Feeling/perception

to feel* – to feel
to hear – to hear
to see* – to see
to smell – to smell
to taste – taste (taste)

Opinion

to assume – to assume, to assume
to believe – to believe
to consider – to believe, to consider
to doubt - to doubt
to find (= to consider) – consider
to suppose - to assume
to think - to think

State of mind

to forget – forget
to imagine – imagine
to know - to know
to mean - to mean
to notice - to notice
to recognize - to recognize
to remember – remember
to understand – to understand

Emotions/desires

to envy - to envy
to fear - to be afraid
to dislike – to experience dislike
to hate - to hate
to hope - to hope
to like – to love, like
to love - to love
to mind - to object
to prefer – to prefer
to regret - to regret
to want - to want
to wish – to wish

Measurement

to contain – contain in oneself
to cost - cost
to hold – contain, contain
to measure – to measure
to weigh – to weigh

Other

to seem - to seem
to have (when it means "to possess")* – to have, to possess
to belong - to belong

*Exceptions

Verbs of perception (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) usually used with can: I can see... - I see... These verbs can also be used in the Continuous, but with a different meaning.

This coat feels nice and warm - This jacket seems (feels) warm and nice. (feeling the qualities of the jacket)
John "s feeling much better now - Now John feels much better. (his health is improving)
She has three dogs and a cat - She has three dogs and a cat. (possession of something)
She "s having supper - She is having dinner. (She eats)
I can see Anthony in the garden - I see Anthony in the garden. (perception)
I "m seeing Anthony later - I will meet Anthony later. (We plan to meet)

Present Continuous - the present continuous tense of the English language, means
action taking place at the present moment; an action that is a continuous process taking place at the moment of speech; future planned action. When we talk about such an event, we usually use the words now(Now), at the moment(at the moment) currently, presently(currently), etc. The action is incomplete.

Affirmative form

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

I am watching TV now -
I'm watching TV now

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

She is reading at the moment -
She is reading at the moment

Not reading a book. -
He is reading a book (now).

We are working now -
We are working now.

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

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

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

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

Question form

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

Am I reading now? -
Am I reading now?

Is he reading a new book? -
He's reading new book?

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

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

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

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

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

Special questions in the Present Continuous

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

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

Negative form

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

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

They are very busy.
They are very busy.

Compare with the present indefinite:

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

Interrogative-negative form

In interrogative-negative form the particle not is placed immediately after the subject or before the subject, forming a shortened form of the auxiliary verb and particle:

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

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

Affirmative form

Question form

Negative form

... + am/is/are + IV

Am/Is/Are ... + IV ?

... am/is/are not + IV

I am (=I "m) playing.

I'm playing. (Now)

Am I playing?

Am I playing?

I am not (=I "m not) playing.

I don't play.

She

is playing

=(..."s playing)

she

play ing?

She

is not playing

=(isn't playing)

You

They

are playing

=(..."re playing)

Are

you

they

play ing?

You

They

are not playing

=(aren't playing)

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

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

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

If at the moment the fact of the action is more important for the speaker than the process, then Present Indefinite is used rather than Present Continuous:

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

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

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

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

Present Continuous tense markers

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

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

I am sitting at my table and writing. -
I'm sitting at the table and writing. (Now)

The bus is coming. -
The bus is coming.

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

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

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

Verbs that are not used in the Continuous:

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

I hear a siren. Do you here it too

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

I want an apple

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

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

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

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

I am learning to drive. -
I'm learning to drive a car. (currently)

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

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

Not is writing a new play. -
He is writing a new play. (not right now, but at this point in life)

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

to express future action

The Present Continuous is also used to express future action:

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

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

We are leaving tomorrow at 6.

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

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

I'm leaving tomorrow. -
I am leaving tomorrow.

We're flying to Paris in the morning. -
We fly to Paris in the morning.

We are dining out on Saturday. -
We dine out on Saturday.

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

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

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

reductions in colloquial speech:

Abbreviations used in colloquial speech:

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

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

Life moves on, and sometimes we don’t notice the events happening around us. The English, in order to draw a little attention to the beautiful seconds of the present, use Present Continuous Tense.

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

Comparison of present tenses

To make it easier to understand, let's look at some examples:

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

Education

The rules of the Present Continuous are quite easy to remember. To do this, you will need to remember the conjugation of the verb to be in the present tense and form the form of the first participle (Participle 1) or, in other words, a verb ending in -ing. This may sound a little confusing, but in reality it is easy. Let's look at the example of the verb to work:

TO BE (AM, IS, ARE) + Ving

What does this diagram mean? Thus, with the pronoun “I” the form “am” is used. For “she, he, it” we substitute “is”, but for all the others (you, we, they) we use “are”. After auxiliary verbs we put a predicate ending in ing.

I am working now. - I'm 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 tense 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 + minor members (negative sentence).
To be + subject + Ving + minor 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 present continuum is complicated by some nuances: writing features with the ending -ing.

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

Another difficulty is caused by verbs that are not used in the continuous form. In the article you will find out all the details.

Use

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

To express an action that is happening right now, at the moment of conversation. Such sentences are often accompanied by the indicators 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 and have dinner with us.

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

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

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

I am reading the novel by K. Smirnov. — I’m reading a novel by K. Smirnov (the action is extended over time).
She is cooking the whole day. — She cooks all day.
It is raining all day. — It’s been raining all day.
Don't bother him! He is still sleeping. - Don't bother him! He's 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. These can be either tonight, tommorow, or verbs of motion. But most often the construction is used to be going to, which translates as “I’m going, intending”:

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

Well, the proposals are especially difficult reproach, irritation, condemnation and indignation. Usually everything is accompanied by emotional overtones and the adverbs always, too often, constantly, never again. All these are indicators of the Present Simple (speaks about an ordinary event, fact), so look inside the sentence, text, meaning, so as not to get confused. Let's compare:

He is always going away for weekends. “He’s always going away for the weekend.”
He always goes away for weekends. — He always leaves for the weekend.

If the action is constantly changing, developing, carrying dynamic character, then select Present Continuous:

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

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

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

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

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

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

By the way, a special edition has been published for tablets and smartphones. free application. So you can teach English grammar anytime and anywhere. Study for the best materials, you are wasting your precious time, you need to spend it efficiently.

Rules for using Present continuus

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

Formation table Present Continuous

In order to understand well new material we sometimes need 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 infectious lessons, I think that she is the one who will best explain the Present Continuous to someone.

Sentences (examples) of using Present Continuous

1. The action is happening right now at the moment of 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 sensitive.

3. Possibly incomplete activity.

Sometimes the present continuum is used if no action occurs at the moment of conversation, but it is implied that it occurs in principle. This is well explained by the example with a book: you started reading a book, now you’re not specifically reading it, but since you haven’t finished it yet, you will continue reading it, so feel free to say

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

4. 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 stative verbs that are rarely used in the present continuum because they have the idea of permanence and completeness.

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

However, if these verbs express activity rather than 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, and at the same time practice yourself, there are many examples of use here

As a gift for the material studied

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

Comprehension exercises (tests)

1. Present continuum (elementary level) 10 questions

Choose the correct answer

Start Quiz

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

General information

In Russian you can find sentences of the following type:

There's no need to rush! The store is still open!
She is now choosing a new dress.
They are currently 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”, “yet”. Verbs are used in the present tense. Otherwise the situation will be English. To express duration, only adverbs of time are not enough. The main expression of duration in the language of Foggy Albion is the temporary form 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 constructed according to direct word order. The subjects come first, the predicate comes second. Affirmative sentences in the Present Continuous are no exception. Only the predicate is expressed by two verbs: auxiliary to be and the main one with the addition of an ending to its basis - ing. Next 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, you must 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 with -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 negative particle not (not). In the Present Continuous form, it stands between the auxiliary and main verbs: subjects + 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 the Present Continuous, questions are constructed according to the following formula: to be + subjects + main verb + -ing?

Cases of use

The answer to the question of when the Present Continuous is used lies on the surface - in the very name of the time. The word Present indicates that the action is taking place in the present, and Continuous emphasizes the duration of the ongoing event. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Hidden under the dark water are other nuances of using this tense:

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's talking to our neighbor.

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

My grandmother is currently sewing a new shirt for me - My grandmother is now sewing a new shirt for me (she started sewing even before now and will continue to do this for some time)

To illustrate temporary situations, events. In these sentences you can find words such as until (not 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 and 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 actions, as well as events that are expected to 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 (get together) is used to mean the future (We are going to visit a doctor - We are going to visit a doctor).

What have we learned?

The rules discussed and examples Present Continuous for children explains in detail how this temporary form is formed, when a consonant is doubled and what exceptions there are when adding the ending -ing to the main verb. Complex cases of using time were also explained for beginners.

Test on the topic

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