In English we use the present continuous tense to talk about things that are happening right now or around now, for temporary situations and to describe changes. Another reason to use present continuous is for definite future arrangements. We usually know exactly when the arrangements are happening and they are often the type of arrangements we can write in a diary. There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of the event, and that some preparation has already happened. In English we often use time phrases such as now, at the moment, at this time, currently, today and this week with the present continuous.
Notes for use of present continuous :
It is not possible to use state verbs in continuous forms. State verbs are generally those which relate to thoughts, senses, emotions, relationships, states of being and measurements such as like, love, hate, own, know, contain, believe and understand. Only action verbs can be used in the present continuous.
Generally, we take the infinitive of the verb and simply add '-ing' to make the continuous form. For example;
work --> working
go --> going
cook --> cooking
study --> studying
listen --> listening
If the verb ends in 'e', we drop the 'e' before adding '-ing'. For example;
come --> coming
take --> taking
phone --> phoning
If the verb ends in a vowel + consonant, we double the last consonant. For example;
swim --> swimming
sit --> sitting
plan --> planning
If the verb has more than one syllable, we double the consonant at the end only if the last syllable is stressed. For example;
prefer --> preferring
begin --> beginning
regret --> regretting
If the last syllable of a verb is not stressed, we do not double the last consonant. For example;
visit --> visiting
happen --> happening
develop --> developing
In British English, verbs ending in 'l' double the 'l' before '-ing' whether the last syllable is stressed or not. For example;
travel --> travelling
cancel --> cancelling
If the verb ends in a 'y' or a 'w', we do not double it when we add '-ing'. For example;
stay --> staying
play --> playing
sew --> sewing
We do not double the consonant if the verb has two vowels before the last consonant. For example;
boil --> boiling
explain --> explaining
In English we also do not double the consonant if the verb ends in two consonants. For example;
help --> helping
start --> starting
The table below shows the different forms of present continuous :
Example Verb : Go | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
Positive | I'm going ... | ...'re going ... | ...'s going ... |
Negative | I'm not going ... | ... aren't going ... | ... isn't going ... |
Questions | Am I going ...? | Are ... going ...? | Is ... going ...? |
Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Continuous Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Continuous:
Negative Examples of Present Continuous :
Question Examples of Present Continuous :
In English we also use the present continuous with 'always' to indicate the action we are describing is annoying for us because it is done too often.
Examples of Present Continuous with Always:
Present continuous example sentences | |
---|---|
No, but I'm checking it on the internet now. | Нет, но я прямо сейчас смотрю его в интернете. |
Who is calling again, please? | Повторите, пожалуйста, кто это звонит? |
But I don't think I'm being aggressive!!! | Но не думаю, что я агрессивная!!! |
Are they saying there is no table? | Говорят, что свободных столиков нет? |
I guess you are not living here with your family. | Думаю, ты не живешь здесь со своей семьей. |
Why are you making me carry everything back and forth 500 times, then? | А зачем тогда ты заставляешь меня по 500 раз перетаскивать все туда и обратно? |
The old lady's curse is following you, dear! | Проклятье старушки преследует тебя, дорогая! |
Are you crying, dear? | Ты плачешь, дорогая? |
What!? Why is he doing that? | Что!? Почему он это делает? |
Why are you smiling? Does it mean I'm taking you out for dinner? | Почему ты смеешься? Это значит, что я веду тебя обедать? |
Umm, okay, but what are we betting? | Ну, ладно, но на что мы будем спорить? |
And one of them is asking for £5,000 deposit. | И один из них просит 5000 фунтов в качестве депозита. |
That's unfortunate, are you guys planning on living here together? | Не повезло, а вы, ребята, планируете жить вместе? |
Erm, alright, maybe you are right, I'm overreacting a bit. | Ну, хорошо, возможно, ты прав, я слегка излишне бурно реагирую. |
Nope, I'm still looking... | Нет, я еще ищу... |
What 500 times? Aren't you overexaggerating? | Какие 500 раз? А ты не преувеличиваешь? |
I'm Mike, calling about the house for rent in Angel... | Я Майк, звоню по поводу аренды дома в Энджел... |
What old lady are you talking about? | О какой старушке ты говоришь? |
Okay, let's go and get the other things while we are waiting. | Ладно, пойдем и купим остальное, пока мы ждем. |
Erm, about 2 or 3 years, why are you asking? | Хм, года 2 или 3, а почему ты спрашиваешь? |