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 | |
---|---|
Erm, can I smoke in the room again while I'm working? | Э.. можно мне опять курить в комнате, пока я работаю? |
But there is no oven or a stove, are they coming soon? | Но нет ни плиты, ни духового шкафа, они будут установлены? |
Okay then, are we taking a bus? | Ладно, мы поедем на автобусе? |
I guess you are not living here with your family. | Думаю, ты не живешь здесь со своей семьей. |
Okay, are you calling the Camden ones? | Ладно, ты звонишь в Камден? |
What!? Why is he doing that? | Что!? Почему он это делает? |
The bus is coming! | Автобус подъезжает! |
So you are coming! | Так ты едешь? |
If you say so!... I'm taking the kids to the garden. | Ну если так!... Я поведу ребят в сад. |
Are they asking for sh*tloads of money as a deposit, also? | Они тоже просят хренову кучу денег в качестве депозита? |
I'm going to the room and taking the kids with me. | Я иду в комнату и забираю с собой ребят. |
Don't you think you are exaggerating? | Ты не думаешь, что преувеличиваешь? |
Tiffany, how are you getting to Soho? | Тиффани, как вы будете добираться до Сохо? |
So we are not working. | Поэтому мы не работаем. |
Let's do it quickly, it's getting late. | Давай быстрее, уже поздно. |
OK sorry, waiting for ur call :) | Ладно, прости, жду твоего звонка :) |
What are you doi... | Что ты де... |
We are running late for our next appointment. | Мы сильно опаздываем на нашу следующую встречу. |
Sorry, are you asking to set up another meeting? | Извини, ты просишь назначить другую встречу? |
I'm just trying to find the best arrangement for two people in the room. | Я просто пытаюсь найти максимально удобное размещение для двух человек в этой комнате. |