Present Progressive (Present Continuous) tense- present continuous tense. In most cases, this tense indicates that the action is happening right now. For us Russians, Present Continuous may seem too difficult to understand at first. This is not surprising, because in Russian there are no such verb tenses. For example, the sentence “I play the balalaika” in Russian can mean that I am playing now or that I am playing at all (I know how to play). In English these are two different sentences. However, some verbs in different situations We also use them differently.

In general terms: if we want to say that the action is happening right now, then we use the Present Continuous (Present Progressive) form. But this is not the only case of using this temporary form. But more on this later. First, let's answer the question - How is Present Progressive (Continuous) formed?

Formation of Present Continuous: elementary rules and examples

The Present Progressive is formed quite simply: we take the verb to be, put it in the appropriate form for the subject (we change it in accordance with the subject - I am, he is, my mother is and so on) and add the corresponding verb with the ending ing, which is “attached” to its base.

Too difficult? Let's look at a diagram illustrating this process.

Still not clear? Okay, let's look at examples. To do this, let's take the verb to think- think. Since it ends in a consonant, when adding ing nothing will be discarded, that is, we get - thinking. If we want to say “I am thinking” (about something at the moment), then we will succeed - I am thinking. Now with other people:

Negative and interrogative forms are formed very simply:

Rules for using the Present Continuous and examples

Forming the Present Continuous form is quite simple. The most difficult thing is the correct use of this form. The point is that there are several cases when it is necessary to use the Present Continuous tense and not some other tense. Briefly, all these cases are indicated using a diagram:

This scheme is not yet entirely clear to us, but it will be useful in order to quickly remember the main cases of using the present progressive.

So, Present Continuous is used:

1. Designation of what is happening or not happening now, at the moment (now, at the moment).

• I’m studying the present continuous . - I have been studying the present for a long time.
• I'm not watching TV at the moment. — I’m not watching TV at the moment.
• I'm sitting now.- I'm sitting now.
• I'm using the Internet. — I use the Internet.
• We're talking about life. - We talk about life.
• She's not listening to me. — She doesn’t listen to me (now).

2. Designation of what is happening now in the broad sense of the word - today, this month, this year, and so on. Temporary situations that we feel or know will not last.

• I am studying to become a teacher. — I am studying to become a teacher (for example, 5 years).
• Are you working on any special projects at work? —Are you (now) working on some kind of work project?
• I’m living in Moscow for a few months. — I’ve been living in Moscow for several months.
• I'm reading a great book. — I am reading a wonderful book (Now, these days. Reading a book is a long process).
• He’s living with his mother until he finds an apartment. — He lives with his mother until he finds an apartment.

3. New or temporary habits that have not always existed.

• My father is smoking too much . (He used to smoke less or not at all).
• My cat’s eating a lot these days . (She never ate so much before).

4. Repetitive, annoying actions, habits using always, constantly, forever:

• I don’t like him because he is always complaining.
• They're forever being late.
• My sister is always losing her keys.

5. Plans for the near future

• I’m leaving at 5 am. — I leave at 5 am.
• Are you visiting your parents next weekend? — Will you visit your parents next weekend?
• I am not going to the party tonight. — I won't go to the party today.

6. Change of situation (usually slow) - little by little, gradually etc.

• My son is getting better at playing the guitar.
• The weather is improving.

These were all the rules for the formation and use of the present continuous (the present progressive).

Present Continuous Tense (Present Progressive Tense) – present continuous tense. It occurs in speech as often as Present Simple. The main thing you need to know about Present Continuous, – this tense shows the duration of the action in the present. Duration can manifest itself in different ways: the action may not last long, or it may take a long period of time. U Present Continuous There are many functions, so this tense has an important place in English grammar.

How is Present Continuous Tense formed?

Statement

As in any English sentence, the subject will be in first place, the predicate in second. Predicate in Present Continuous consists of an auxiliary verb to be and the main verb. To be V Present Continuous changes, so we need to remember its forms: am, is, are. The main verb leaves a particle to and the ending appears - ing.

As a general rule, we add to the verb - ing. But with some verbs, slight transformations occur with the appearance of this ending, for example:

• e , the final vowel leaves: com e – com ing (come),
  mak e – mak ing (do), writ e – writ ing (write).
• For verbs ending in - ie , vowels - ie are replaced by - y : l ie –l ying (lie), t ie – t ying (to tie) d ie – d ying (die).
• If a short verb ends with a vowel and a consonant, then that consonant is doubled:
  swi m – swi mm ing(swim), sto p – sto pp ing(stop), ge t – ge tt ing(receive).

Negation

A negative sentence differs from an affirmative one only in that a particle appears between the auxiliary verb and the main one not. That is, the predicate looks like this: first to be, after it the particle not and then the main verb.

Question

To ask a question in Present Continuous, we endure to be first, then put the subject and after it the main verb.

For your convenience, we have divided the time functions Present Continuous into 3 groups: entry-level material (green frame), intermediate level (yellow) and high-level (red). If you are just starting to study this topic, then it will be enough for you to know the functions of the green frame, since these are the basic rules for Present Continuous. If you need more advanced grammar, then study the yellow table. And for the most sophisticated English experts, the rules from the red table are suitable.

Using the Present Continuous

Entry level

1. Present Continuous illustrates an action that is happening now, at the moment of speech. There may be clarifying words here: now(Now), at the moment(at the moment). Also, we can use this tense for two actions that occur simultaneously in the present.
   

   – What is he doing now? – What He doing now?
   – No is talking to his friend. – He's talking with a friend. (he is currently standing and talking to a friend)

   She is eating chocolate ice-cream while I am drinking water. - She eats chocolate ice cream while I I drink water

2. Present Continuous used if the action occurs in the present, but not at a specific moment of speech. In this case, we want to show that the action is extended in time: it could have started yesterday or two days ago, but now it continues and will continue for some time. Throughout this long period of time, we periodically perform this action.
   

   I am reading an interesting book. - I I'm reading interesting book. (I started reading it before the speech and will continue to read it for some time, but right now I’m not busy reading)

   We are moving into a new house. - We we're moving to a new home. (we started collecting and transporting things, but we are not engaged in this action at the moment of speech)

   In this function we can find words such as now(Now), these days(these days, these days), currently(now, now).

   This play is currently running at the theatre. – This play coming now in the theater.

3. We want to show that the situation is temporary, that is, we know, suspect or feel that the action will not last long. In such cases, there are words that specify the time period, such as for(for), during(for), until(not yet).
   

   He is staying in New York for three months - He remains in New York on three months. (in three months his stay will end and he will return home)

   He is working as a waiter until he finds a better job. - He works waiter, Bye won't find a better job. (he works temporarily as a waiter)

4. We are talking about an action that slowly develops or changes. Such action can be shown by words get(become), change(change), become(become), rise(get up), fall(fall), grow(grow), improve(improve), begin(start off), start(start off).
   

   Your English is getting better. – Your English becomes better. (English didn't get better overnight, but it is gradually improving)

   The weather is improving. – Weather is improving. (the weather was bad for a while, but now it's getting better)

When else is the Present Continuous used?

Intermediate level

1. When we talk about a planned action that we will perform in the near future. We use Present Continuous only with those actions that you have already firmly decided to perform.

   Here you can use the words: this/next week(this/next week), this/next weekend(this/next weekend), this/next year(this/next year), tonight(In the evening), today(Today), tomorrow(Tomorrow).

   Next week we are buying a new car. – Next week We we buy new car. (we have firmly decided to buy a car, we have already chosen the model and the store where we will buy it)

   I am having a business meeting tomorrow. - I have a business meeting Tomorrow. (the meeting has already been scheduled and will definitely take place)

2. When we talk about the near future using verbs of motion such as go(go), leave(leave), come(come), move(move), return(come back), start(start off).
   

   I'm tired. I am going to bed. - I'm tired. I I'm coming sleep. (I felt tired, so I decided to go to bed)

   This film is too boring. I am leaving. - This movie is too boring, I I'm leaving. (I don’t like the film, so I leave the show without waiting for the end)

3. When we want to show dissatisfaction, indignation, irritation. In these cases we use the words always(Always), constantly(constantly), all the time(all the time) to show that the person regularly does something we don't like.
   

   You are always interrupting me! - You constantly me interrupt! (I really don't like this)

   He is coming late all the time! - He always late! (the speaker is unhappy with this)

4. Present Continuous Tense with state verbs.

   Usually the present continuous tense in English is not used with stative verbs ( state verbs or stative verbs). - these are verbs that convey a person’s state: his feelings, relationships, mental processes. These verbs denote actions, but these actions occur inside our consciousness, and we cannot observe how they occur ( to feel- feel, to think- think, to love- to love, to wish- wish, to need– need). Therefore, we cannot use them in tenses Continuous, since this aspect shows duration.

   But still there are several cases when state verbs used with Present Continuous. This happens when a verb has several meanings and one of them shows an action, and also when we want to show that the situation is temporary.

   The steak tastes good. – This steak tastes great. (steak is always so delicious)

   The chef is tasting the steak. - Cook tries steak tastes. (he's trying it now)

Complex cases of using the Present Continuous

High level

1. Present Continuous used when we talk about something new, especially if this new thing is contrasted with something old.
   

   He has left university, now he is working with his friend. - He dropped out of university and now works with your friend.

   These days most people are spending time in front of computer screens instead of reading books. - Today most people conducts time on the computer instead of reading books.

2. Present Continuous used when we talk about unusual behavior. We want to show that a person is doing something that is not typical for him, that he is not behaving as he always has.
   

   She is eating too much these days. - She's too much eats V last days. (she never ate so much before)

   He is being nervous recently. - He became nervous in lately. (he has always been calm, but recently his behavior has changed)

3. Present Continuous found in subordinate clauses time after unions when(When), if(If), unless(not yet) in case(in case) as long as(Bye), while(while). In such sentences there is a continuous action that stands in Present Continuous, and unit, which is expressed Present Simple. Typically, these sentences show familiar situations where a single action occurs against the backdrop of a long one.
   

   I try not to make noise in case my daughter is doing her homework. - I try not to make noise in case, If my daughter does homework.

   I never talk on the phone when I am eating. - I never talk on the phone when I eat.

Present Continuous– one of the most favorite times of the British. As you may have noticed, in English Present Continuous is used in many situations, which means that it appears frequently in speech. In order to better remember how to use Present Continuous, we recommend taking the following test and downloading our sign.

(*.pdf, 186 Kb)

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Test

Using the Present Continuous

Present Continuous Tense (or Present Progressive Tense) is translated from English as “present continuous tense”. In English speech it is used on a par with the Present Simple, with the same frequency, and occupies an important place in grammar.

When the Present Continuous is used - when it is necessary to emphasize the duration of an action in the present. The limits of “duration” can be different: an action can last indefinitely or occupy a certain period of time - all these are cases of using the Present Continuous.

Present Continuous - formation of sentences of different types

Statement

According to the rules of the English language, any sentence is constructed in a certain order. IN affirmative sentences The subject takes first place, the predicate takes second place. In the 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 desired form (am, is, are) depending on the subject, and the main verb takes on the ending -ing.

1. Formula: I am + ing verb Example: I am singing - I sing.
2. Formula: He/She/It is + ing verb 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 are swimming.

Adding the ending -ing to a 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. The verb ends in -ie Rule: -ie is replaced by -y Example: lie - lying (lie down)
3. Monosyllabic verb ending in a vowel and a consonant Rule: last consonant is doubled Example: get - getting

Negation

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

1. Formula: I am not + ing verb Example: I am not singing - I don’t sing.
2. Formula: He/She/It is not + ing verb Examples: He is not smiling - He does not smile. She is not dancing - She doesn’t 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

When the Present Continuous is used in interrogative sentences, the auxiliary verb takes first place, followed by the subject and then the main verb.

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

Present Continuous - used in typical cases

1. The action is happening right now, at the time of speech. You can also use the Present construction

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 eats an apple while I drink juice. (two actions are performed simultaneously)

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

Marker words: now (now), currently (now, now), these days (In these days, the other day).

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 simply 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 lives in New York for three months. (in three months, for some reason, he will leave New York, his period of stay in this city will end; this situation is temporary, he permanently resides, for example, in Moscow, and is in New York for work or in connection with studies)

4. The action is developing or constantly changing, the sentence often contains specific verbs to indicate it. Describing 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 cases of using the Present Continuous construction

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

Marker words: this/next week (this/next week), tonight (in the evening), today (today), tomorrow (tomorrow), this/next year (this/next year), this/next weekend (in these /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 car and the car dealership where the purchase will be made)

2. We are talking about action in the present, influencing the near future, using 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 feel tired and will go to sleep right after I report this)

3. The speech is emotionally charged, 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 constantly interrupt me! (you do this 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 and 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 constructed using the Present Continuous formula.

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

Examples: The steak tastes good. - This steak tastes great. (steak prepared according to this recipe is always delicious) The chef is tasting the steak. - The cook tastes the steak. (he's doing it right now)

Using the Present Continuous in difficult cases

1. We are talking about something new with a contrast to 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 this she did not have such a good appetite)

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

Marker words: as long as (yet), 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 reads.

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? -
Is he reading a new book?

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

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

Are children enjoying the party? -
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.)

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.

Present continuous present time 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 ( actor expresses both the intention to perform an 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.

colloquial abbreviations:

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?

If we talk about the popularity of using tenses in English, the group Simple will undoubtedly take first place. However, this group alone will certainly not take you to London, and therefore it is necessary to expand the capabilities of the language. The second most popular group of times, the Continuous group, can help with this perfectly. Like all other groups, it contains past, present and future tenses. Today we will focus on the Present Continuous Tense (pronounced present continuous tense) or the present continuous tense, examining how this tense is formed.

Present Continuous Tense (also Present Progressive Tense) or present continuous tense is the tense of the English language, responsible for actions that occur in the present time at the time of conversation.

On initial stage language learning this time is often confused with the times of the Present Simple. Yes, in both the first and second cases it concerns the present, but the difference between these times is colossal. To avoid getting into trouble with the use of these tenses, let's take a closer look at the Present Continuous tense in English.

The formation of the Present Continuous is based on the use of auxiliary and semantic verbs. The auxiliary verb is to be in the present tense. Depending on the person and number, this tense can have 3 forms:

Participle I or the present participle is used as a semantic verb. To form the present participle in the active voice, you do not need to separately remember the rules for regular and irregular verbs. It is enough just to take any verb in the infinitive form, remove the preposition to and add the ending –ing.

When adding an ending, it is worth considering certain nuances:

• If a word ends in –e, this letter is omitted:

A verb cannot be formed in this way if there are two –e in the word. In this case, the standard rule applies:

• If a word ends in –ie, this combination of letters is replaced with –y:

The exception is words ending in –x and –w, which are not doubled:

If a word ends with a consonant –r, that letter must be doubled unless there is a diphthong before it:

Doubling the consonant –l at the end is possible if the stress falls on the last syllable and the –l is preceded by a short vowel:

In British English, –l is doubled even if the stress is not on the final syllable.

Please note that words that end in –ing are not always present participles. Nouns and adjectives are often expressed with these words:

Present Continuous: sentence forms

Now let's look at how sentences are formed using auxiliary and semantic verbs:

Affirmative form of Present Continuous

The affirmative form of the Present Continuous contains direct word order. In such a sentence, after the subject there are auxiliary and semantic verbs. Affirmative sentence scheme:

The sentences above are used in the active voice, where the action is performed by the subject. However, sometimes situations arise in which it is necessary to show that the action is directed at the object/person itself. In such cases, the passive voice is used, for the formation of which it is necessary to use three verbs: the same auxiliary verb to be in the present tense, the verb to be in Participle I (being) and the past participle (or Participle II):

Everything is clear with the first two, but Past Participle has its own characteristics. It contains two forms of formation, the choice of which depends on the regularity or irregularity of English verbs. Thus, the past participle of regular verbs is formed by adding the ending –ed. Irregular verbs they do not obey this rule: each of them has a singular form, so you just need to try to remember such verbs.

Such sentences often use the preposition by, which shows who did the action. Examples:

The rule also applies to sentences in the passive voice:

The auxiliary verb in the affirmative and negative forms is often shortened in speech and writing like the Present Simple tense:

Abbreviating am not in the negative form as amn’t is, as a rule, not accepted. This form of negation for the Present Continuous can be found in Scotland and Ireland.

Question form Present Continuous

The interrogative form in the Present Continuous tense is constructed based on the type of question:

• General and alternative questions bring the auxiliary verb forward before the subject:

This question is answered briefly using an auxiliary verb:

This question requires a complete answer:

When using two or more semantic verbs, the auxiliary verb is used once at the beginning.

• A special question for the Present Continuous must contain a question word that comes before the auxiliary verb.

A complete answer is also needed here:

A short answer is required here, similar to the answer to the general question:

These were all the rules for forming the Present Continuous, with the help of which you can easily compose a grammatically correct sentence.

Present Continuous: use

Present Continuous or present continuous tense is used constantly in speech. Let's consider all cases of using the Present Continuous.

1. The present continuous tense in English is used to indicate actions that are ongoing at the time of conversation. Often in this case, the indicator words now (now) and at the moment (at the moment) are used:

Don't confuse Present Simple and Continuous:

1. Present Continuous Tense is also used when talking about actions that are happening now, but not specifically at this moment.

1. The use of the Present Continuous is possible with the adverbs always / constantly (constantly), again and again (every now and then), all the time (all the time). Such sentences differ from sentences in the Present Simple in that they usually imply the speaker's irritation regarding some habit. As a Russian analogue, the adverbs here can mean “always doing something”:

1. The use of Present Continuous Tense is possible in cases where the speaker knows or assumes that the action will not last long. In such sentences there are words for / during (during), until / till (until / until).

The second part of the sentence in this construction is usually used in the Present Simple.

1. The Present Continuous is used when talking about planned actions in the future. In this case, preference for this time can be given only when the action is definitely decided to be carried out. Sentences may contain satellite words: tonight, today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, this (next) week / month / year (in this (next) week / month / year).

Translation of such constructions is usually carried out in the present tense, although, in essence, this does not change anything even in the Russian language: it is clear that the action is not being performed now.

1. The present continuous tense in English is also used to express actions that will happen in the near future, using verbs of motion. These include: go (go), come (come), leave (leave), move (move), take off (take off), land (land), return (return), move (move).

The translation is also in the present tense, although the future is implied.

1. Present Continuous or Progressive Tense is used when talking about actions that change gradually. Often for this case, words in English are used that imply this change: change (change), increase (increase), decrease (decrease), improve (improve), rise (rise), grow (grow), fall (fall), begin / start (begin), become / get (become):

1. Present Continuous is used when emphasis is placed on unusual behavior of a person that is not observed:

1. However, the above cases do not always apply. So, for example, exceptions to the rules in Present Continuous Tense are state verbs or state verbs, with which the Continuous tense cannot be used, since they themselves imply action. Such an action usually cannot be observed with the eyes. These include verbs responsible for:

• emotions (love - to love, hate - to hate, adore - to adore, respect - to respect);
• processes of mental activity (think - think, believe - believe, assume - believe);
• perception (feel – to feel, hear – to hear, see – to see, notice – to notice);
• ownership rights (have - to have, belong - to belong, possess - to have, own - to own);
• desires (wish - to dream, want - to want, desire - to desire);
• other (succeed - to succeed, need - to need, find - to seek, fail - to fail).

The Present Simple tense is used with these verbs.

However, there are certain situations where a stative verb can be used as a continuous verb. This is possible if:

• a word from the list of state verbs has another meaning:
• see (to see) can be used to mean “to meet” or “to examine”:

• appear (seem) meaning “to perform on stage”:

• have in stable expressions

1. The Present Continuous is also used to contrast something new with something old:

1. The Present Continuous is used in subordinate clauses to show that some actions continue during others. To do this, the Present Continuous is used in the subordinate clause, and the Present Simple in the main clause. Such constructions often contain the words when (when), if (if), in case (in case), as long as (yet), unless (not yet):

• In order to show one continuous action against the background of another, the conjunction while (while), expressing subordinate adverbs of time, can be used. Both parts use the Present Continuous tense:

Today we learned what the Present Continuous is and in what situations it is used. Present Continuous grammar is not very difficult, so you will quickly master this tense by practicing all the uses mentioned.

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