Present continuous: example sentences and forms of use. Simple present and present continuous in English - comparison and examples

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 the 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 English use of auxiliary verbs. 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 am working now.

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

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

English grammar Present Continuous (Progressive) tense says that this 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.

  1. If the verb ends in "e", and there is a consonant before it, then this letter disappears: use-using, manage - managing. But: dye - dyeing.
  2. Letter "l" at the end of the word it is doubled: travel - travelling.
  3. And here "y", despite previous consonants or vowels, is retained (in some English rules changes, but not in the verb): stay - remaining, study - studying.
  4. 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.
  5. "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. How and why to use Continuous, you will learn 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 emotional coloring and 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 constantly changes, develops, wears 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.

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

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

First we will look at 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.

Statement

Ving:
working.

Negation

NOT

Ving:
working.

General question

Ving:
working

?

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

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

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

For most verbs that end in a consonant after two vowels or two consonants, the ending is added unchanged

speak - speaking

point - pointing

If the verb ends in a silent E, then it is dropped and the ending ING is added

For verbs that end in Y, the ending is added without changes

study - studying

If the verb ends in a closed stressed syllable, the final consonant is doubled

travel - travelling

Verbs that end in L preceded by a vowel double the L when the ending is added. This rule applies to British English; in American English L is not doubled.

quarrel - quarrelling

marvel - marvelling

model - modeling

If a verb ends in R in a stressed syllable, then R is doubled

prefer - preferring

Exceptions

There are a number of exceptions to remember

agree - agreeing


Now let's look at the use cases Present Continuous.

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

The Present Continuous is used to express an action that occurs at the moment of speech, often before our eyes, that is, we can observe the process.

At the moment of speaking the following are indicated: time indicators: now(Now), at the moment(at present), still(still). Time indicators 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 time of speech.

In addition, words that serve to attract attention (look, listen, be careful, etc.), indicate that the action is taking place 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 stairs are falling!

2. Temporary actions and states

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

By 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’m staying with a friend while my apartment is being renovated. (This is a temporary action, the repairs 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 science fiction again)

She is working as a secretary these days. - Currently she works as a secretary. (This is not a permanent job)

3. Changing or developing situations

If you are observing a process and see changes taking place, then you should use Present Continuous. Often used with paired adjectives in comparative degree: more and more, better and better.

It is becoming colder and colder. - It's getting colder and colder.
The flowers are becoming more and more beautiful. - The flowers are becoming 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 place and time indicators. In Russian, we use the present tense in the same way to express a 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 an 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 atmosphere. (Setting the scene)

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

Present Simple is used to describe main events.

He is walking through the dark forest. It is raining and the wind is blowing. - He walks through the dark forest. It's raining and the wind is blowing.
Imagine: you are in the garden. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. - Imagine: you are in the 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 indicator, 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 always 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 meet you in this store all the time.

Comparative characteristics Present Simple And Present Continuous you will find .

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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)
tie - tying (to tie - ties)

There is a category of verbs to which the ending -ing is not added. 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 speak
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 are not talking (they aren't talking) - they don't talk

The examples show that abbreviations are also possible. In most cases they are preferable. Let's look at some proposals:

He isn't watching football, he's reading a magazine. - He doesn't watch football, he reads a magazine.
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.

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 - second. In the Present Continuous, the predicate is made up of the auxiliary verb to be and the main (semantic) verb, which 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 - 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? - I sing?
  2. Formula: Is He/She/It + verb-ing Examples: Is he smiling? - He smiles? She is dancing? - She is dancing? Is it shining? - Is it shining?
  3. Formula: Are We/You/They + verb-ing Examples: Are we listening? - We are listening? Are you reading? - You are reading? Are they swimming? - They are swimming?

Present Continuous - 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 (on this/ next week), tonight (evening), today (today), tomorrow (tomorrow), this/next year (this/next year), this/next weekend (this/next weekend).

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

2. We are talking about action in the present, affecting 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 time after unions. 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 is translated as “present” and tells us that the action is being performed at the moment. Continuous is translated as “long/long” and indicates that the action began some time ago and is still ongoing.

Present Continuous is a long time. We use it when we want to say that something is in progress. For example, I am swimming, that is, I am in the process of swimming. Present Simple simply shows the fact of one or another action without a process. Let's look at examples.

1. Present Simple

I drive a car.
I drive a car.

2. Present Continuous

I am driving a car.
I'm driving.

In Russian, these two sentences are translated almost identically, n But in English they express completely different meanings:

1) the simple fact that I know how to drive a car: I have a license and I can drive it.

2) I'm driving: I've been driving a car for some time now and now I'm still driving the car, that is, I'm in the process of driving.

Now let's take a closer look at the exact cases in which we use Present Continuous.

Using Present Continuous Tense

The simple continuous tense is used in several cases.

1. When we talk about an action that is happening now (at the moment).

That is, the action began some time ago and is now still ongoing (in process).
Example: “She is dancing” - she is in the process of dancing; “Children play with toys” - they are in the process of playing.

2. An action that is currently being performed, but not necessarily at the moment.

By this we emphasize the process of its duration.
Example: “He is studying at the university” - he is in the process of studying; “She's working on a big project” - she's in the process of working on a project.

Affirmative sentences in Present Continuous Tense

An affirmative sentence is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the present tense (am, are, is) and the ending -ing, which is added to the verb denoting action.

The one in question + am/are/is + verb + -ing.

I am
You
We are playing
They swimming
She cooking
He is
It

For example

They are watch ing TV.
They are watching TV.

I am drink ing tea
I'm drinking tea.

He is smoke ing now.
He smokes now.

Rules for adding the ending -ing

There are several things to consider when adding -ing endings to verbs.

  • If the verb ends in -e, then the letter e we remove and add to the verb -ing:

danc e- danc ing- dance;
mov e-mov ing-; move.

  • If the verb is short, we double the last consonant:

si t-si ting- sit;
ba n-ba nning- forbid.

Exceptions: verbs ending in -x And - w:

mi x-mi xing- to mix;
flo w-flo wing- leak.

  • If the verb ends in -ie, then we replace this ending with -y:

l ie-l ying- lie;
t ie-t ying- bind.

Words indicating time

The following words can help us determine that this is the Present Continuous:

  • now - now;
  • at the moment - at the moment.

Let's look at examples.

They are running now.
They are running now.

I am eating now.
I am eating now.

We are working at the moment.
We are working at the moment.

She is having a break at the moment.
She's on a break at the moment.

Verbs not used in Present Continuous Tense


Some English verbs are never used in this tense.

1. Verbs expressing feelings

The Present Continuous does not use verbs that are associated with the senses (sight, hearing, touch, etc.).

  • hear - to hear,
  • smell - smell,
  • feel - feel, etc.

2. Verbs expressing mental state

  • forget - forget,
  • know - to know
  • understand - to understand, etc.

3. Verbs expressing emotions and desires

  • love - to love,
  • want - want,
  • like - like, etc.

4. Verbs expressing possession of something

  • have - to have,
  • possess - to possess, etc.

Why aren't these verbs used in the Present Continuous?

As we have already seen, this tense is used to emphasize that the action is in progress: we started doing it some time ago, we are doing it now, but after some time we will finish doing it.

To be used in our continuous tense, a verb must be able to last. For example: to cook - you started cooking, you are cooking now, after some time you will finish.

Returning to our exception verbs. We cannot start smelling (smelling) or hearing (hearing) and finish this process after some time. This is what we do all the time. We are talking about the fact that we can smell and hear. Likewise, forgetting, understanding, or emotions cannot be processes, because otherwise it turns out that these processes began once, are now continuing, and will end someday.

Negative form in Present Continuous Tense

Negation is constructed as an affirmative sentence, only the negative particle not is added to our verb to be.

The one in question + am/are/is + not + verb + -ing.

I am
You
We are playing
They not cooking
She swimming
He is
It

Examples

We are not do ing our homework now.
We don't homework Now.

She is not driv ing at the moment.
She is not driving at the moment.

I am not listen ing music now.
I don't listen to music now.

Question form in Present Continuous Tense


To ask if someone is doing something right now, we put the verb to be first.

Am/are/is + the one in question + verb + -ing?

Am I
you
Are we playing?
they cooking?
she swimming?
Is he
it

Statement

I am read ing the book.
I am reading a book.

You are swimm ing in a pool.
You are swimming in the pool.

She is clean ing her room now.
She is cleaning the room now.

The question and a positive answer (our “yes”) will look like this:

Question Short answer (contains the verb to be) Full answer (constructed as an affirmative sentence)
Am I read ing the book?
I am reading a book?

Yes, I am.
Yes, I read.

Yes, I am read ing the book.
Yes, I'm reading a book.
Are you swimm ing in a pool?
Do you swim in the pool?

Yes, you are.
Yes, you are swimming.

Yes, you are swimm ing in a pool.
Yes, you are swimming in the pool.

Is she clean ing her room now?
Is she cleaning the room now?

Yes, she is.
Yes, she cleans.

Yes, she is clean ing her room now.
Yes, she is cleaning the room now.

Negative answers (our “no”) will look like this:

Question Short answer (contains the verb to be + not) Full answer (constructed as a negative sentence)
Am I read ing the book?
I am reading a book?

No, I amnot.
No, I don't read.

No, I am not read ing the book.
No, I'm not reading a book.
Are you swimm ing in a pool?
Do you swim in the pool?

No, you arenot.
No, you don't swim.

No, you are not swimm ing in a pool.
No, you don't swim in the pool.
Is she clean ing her room now?
Is she cleaning the room now?

No, she isnot.
No, she doesn't clean.

No, she is not clean ing her room now.
No, she's not cleaning the room now.

Examples

Are are they playing tennis?
They are playing tennis?

Yes, they are.
Yes, they are playing.

Are are they playing tennis?
They are playing tennis?

No, they are not.
No, they don't play.

Is he sleepingnow?
He is sleeping now?

Yes, he is sleeping now.
Yes, he's sleeping now.

Is he sleeping now?
He is sleeping now?

No, he is not sleeping now.
No, he's not sleeping now.

Special questions in Present Continuous Tense

When we ask a question with the following question words:

      • what - what;
      • where - where;
      • who - who;
      • which - which one;
      • why - why.

These words are placed first in the sentence, and the further order of words will be the same as in a regular question. The scheme is like this:

Question word + аm/are/is + the person in question + verb + -ing?

am I
you
What are they reading?
Where we playing?
Why she cooking?

Reinforcement task

Now for some practice. Translate the following sentences into English. Be careful, hidden among them are sentences that belong to the Present Simple.

1. She is flying on a plane at the moment.
2. Are you studying now? Yes, I am studying.
3. She walks to work.
4. It’s not raining now.
4. Do they go to school? No, they don't study.
5. I'm painting a picture now.
6. He doesn't fly by plane.
7. The cat is lying on the table.
8. What are they reading? They read new magazines.
9. My friend understands physics.

As always, leave your answers in the comments below the article.