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 | |
---|---|
Ha-ha-ha, sorry for laughing, but you're cracking me up! | 哈哈哈,对不起我又笑了,但是你真的笑死我了! |
I think Pogo is getting less insecure now. | 我觉得波哥现在慢慢感觉到安全感了。 |
My name is Mike, I'm calling about the house for rent... | 我的名字是迈克,我打电话时是为了租房子... |
Yeah, go on, ask the question dear, I'm waiting. | 是的,继续问,亲爱的,我在等着呢。 |
Are they saying there is no table? | 他们说没位置了吗? |
Finally! They are leaving. | 他们终于走了。 |
I'm Mike, calling about the house for rent in Angel... | 我是迈克,打电话为了Angel租房的事... |
Erm, are you running late for work? | 呃。你上班要迟到了吗? |
I'm sitting at that corner cafe, having breakfast. | 我坐在街角的咖啡馆,正在吃早饭。 |
You are such a liar... What are they doing? | 你可真是个骗子... 他们在做什么? |
Why are you trying to use wife in a sentence? | 你为什么在话里用老婆这个词? |
Are you seriously asking me that question? | 你是认真地问我那个问题吗? |
Who is calling again, please? | 请问您是谁? |
Exactly, that's what I am trying to explain to him. | 确实是,这就是为什么我试着跟他解释。 |
Why are you making me carry everything back and forth 500 times, then? | 那么为什么你让我把东西前前后后搬来搬去500次呢? |
But I don't think I'm being aggressive!!! | 但是我不认为我现在很暴躁!!! |
Hello mate, are you still sleeping? | 嗨,老兄,你还在睡觉吗? |
She said lots of things, which one are you talking about? | 她说了很多事,你指的是哪件? |
I'm just calling about the house for rent in Angel. | 我打电话只是为了在Angel租房的事儿。 |
Okay, are you calling the Camden ones? | 好的,你要给卡姆登的打吗? |