There are more tense forms in English than in Russian, which is why learning someone else's speech can be so difficult for our compatriots. In the great and mighty there is no such thing as a present continius, in other words, a real long time. But don't be afraid. If you understand this issue well, then no difficulties will arise.
Features of use
Present Continuous is sometimes difficult to distinguish from Present Simple. Both of these temporary forms describe the present, but the present simple is used when it comes to constantly repeating actions, and the continius - about those that are happening right now.
It is important to remember the difference when it is necessary to describe several incidents at the same time. Here the verb is put in the present simple tense if the actions follow one after the other. But if the events happen at the same time, the present continuous comes to the rescue.
Another important nuance concerns activities that are either planned or scheduled. When the interlocutor expresses his intention to do something, he uses the verb in the Present Continuous form, but if the event is indicated in the schedule, then about itspeak in Present Simple.
Such a small comparison will allow you to better navigate these two tenses.
The English present continius has significant differences that make it stand out from other forms of the verb.
It is used when it is necessary to describe events that occur directly at the moment of speech. A prime example: Tom is doing exercise now (Tom is doing sports now).
Present continius is used to describe an action that is not taking place at the moment, but in the present, still ongoing period of time. Consider an example: He is working on the program (He is working on the program). The point is that he is doing this not at a particular moment, but throughout the present period, which lasts and will soon end.
The same tense is used when describing a planned action that will happen soon. An example would be: We are arriving on Friday (We will arrive or are about to arrive on Friday).
Another use of the Present Continuous is to indicate repetitive actions that annoy or disapproval of the speaker. Adverbs constantly, always, repeatedly, which in this case are translated as “forever”, can serve as catalysts. A good example: You are constantly shouting at us (You are always shouting at us).
Rules of education
To formulate sentences in a presentcontinius, it is necessary to use the verb "to be" in the appropriate form, which depends on the noun or pronoun used. It is to him that the particle "not" will be added in negative sentences.
Verbs in the present continius receive the ending -ing. In most cases, this inflection is attached to the word without changing it (say - saying). But if there is a dumb “e” at the end of the infinitive, it must be omitted (make - making). In the case when the verb ends with a combination of a short vowel with a consonant, the exception is "x", the last letter is doubled (begin - beginning). Words that end in -ie change it to -y+ing (lie - lying).
There is a list of expressions that can serve as an indication of the Present Continuous. These are such as today, at the moment, this week, now and others.
There are a number of words that are not used in this tense. These are the so-called state verbs that convey sensations and feelings. They also will not take part in the formation of such a temporary form as the present perfect continius. Here are some of the state verbs:
- be - to be;
- belong - to belong;
- consist - consist;
- cost - cost;
- envy - to envy;
- exist - to exist;
- hate - to hate;
- hear - hear;
- love - to love;
- possess - to possess;
- remember - remember;
- seem-seem;
- want - want.
The list of these words is much longer, and you need to read them carefully to avoid mistakes in your speech.
Formation of affirmative sentences
Strictly established word order - that's what the English language can be proud of. Present continius does not introduce dissonance into this rule. His sentences are built according to the same principle: the subject, followed by the auxiliary verb, then the semantic verb with the appropriate ing ending, after which the rest of the sentence follows.
Let's look at the picture and describe the actions that the characters perform according to the scheme placed in the table.
| I | am |
driving laughing (laughing) playing Verb + ing skating singing running |
|
She He It |
is | |
|
You They We |
are |
- I am driving
- Tom is laughing.
- We are playing.
- Dad is skating
- You are singing.
- Lena is running.
Formation of negation
Turn an affirmative sentence intothe negative is very simple, just add the particle "not" to the verb "to be".
| I | am | not |
driving laughing (laughing) playing skating singing running |
|
She He It |
is | ||
|
You They We |
are |
- I am not /can be shortened to I’m not/ driving.
- Tom is not /isn’t/ laughing.
- We are not /aren't/ playing.
Interrogative sentences
To ask a general question that can be answered with yes or no (yes/no), just put "to be" forward.
| Am | I |
driving? laughing (laughing)? playing? skating? singing? running? |
| Is |
she he it |
|
| Are |
you they we |
- Am I driving?
- Is dad skating(Dad is skating)?
- Are you singing?
Formulating a special question that would clarify the circumstances, method or quality of action is also not difficult, you need to add the appropriate question word to the previous form.
|
How When Why Who What Where |
am | I |
driving? laughing (laughing)? playing? skating? singing? running? |
| is |
she he it |
||
| are |
you they we |
- How am I driving?
- When is dad skating?
- What are you singing?
Exercise
You need to convert the infinitive into a Present Continuous verb and choose the correct form for "to be":
a) She /to read/ a magazine now (She is reading a newspaper now).
b) Linda /to sit/ at the piano.
c) He /to do/ his homework (He does his homework).
d) They /to play/ baseball (They play baseball).
e) I still /to write/ a message.
f) We /to have/ dinner now (Now welunch).
g) It still /to rain/
h) It /to snow/ now (It is snowing).
i) The girl /to draw/ a picture
j) You /to speak/ to me now.
It is necessary to put affirmative sentences into interrogative and negative forms:
A. I am studying (I am studying).
B. We are playing ball (We play ball).
C. They are eating now (They are eating now).
D. We are resting now (We are now resting).
E. She is sleeping (She is sleeping).
Translate the following phrases into English:
- She rides a bike.
- You're always late!
- Where are they vacationing now?
- We don't have breakfast.
- What is he doing now?
Present continius is a popular and quite easy to learn temporary form. To avoid mistakes when using it, it is enough to remember in what cases it is used, to know the ways of its formation and those few verbs that are not used in it.
