Present Continuous - rules and exercises

There are more temporary forms in English than in Russian, so studying someone else’s speech can be so difficult for our compatriots. In the great and powerful there is no such thing as a present continius, in other words - a real long time. But do not be scared. 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 simplicity is used when it comes to constantly repeating actions, and the continuum - about those that occur this very minute.

It is important to remember the difference when it is necessary to describe several incidents at the same time. Here the verb is posed in the present simple tense, if the actions follow one after another. But if events happen at the same time, the real long comes to the rescue.

Another important nuance concerns actions that are either planned or are in the schedule. When the interlocutor expresses the intention to do something, he uses a verb in the form of Present Continuous, but if the event is indicated in the schedule, then they talk about it in Present Simple.

Such a small comparison will allow you to better navigate in these two times.

The English present Continius has significant differences that allow you to distinguish it from other forms of the verb.

It is used if it is necessary to describe events that occur directly at the time of speech. A prime example: Tom is doing exercise now.

Present Continius is used in describing such an action, which takes place not at the moment, but in the present, still ongoing period of time. Consider an example: He is working on the program. The point is that he is not doing this at a specific moment, but during the current period, which lasts and will end soon.

The same temporary form is used when a planned action that is about to occur is described. An example would be this phrase: We are arriving on Friday (We will arrive or are going to arrive on Friday).

Another use of Present Continuous is to indicate repetitive actions that annoy or disapprove the speaker. The catalysts can be adverbs constantly, always, repeatedly, which in this case translate as "forever." A good example: You are constantly shouting at us.

Education Rules

To formulate sentences in the present continius, you must use the verb "to be" in a suitable form, which depends on the noun or pronoun used. It is to him in the negative sentences that the particle "not" will be added.

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 indications of 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 at this time. These are the so-called state verbs that convey sensations and feelings. They will also not take part in the formation of such a temporary form as present perfect continuum. Here are some of the status verbs:

• be - to be;
• belong - belong;
• consist - consist;
• cost - cost;
• envy - envy;
• exist - to exist;
• hate - to hate;
• hear - hear;
• love - to love;
• possess - possess;
• remember - remember;
• seem - to seem;
• want - want.

The list of these words is much longer, and they must be carefully read to exclude errors in your speech.

Formation of affirmative sentences

A strictly established word order is what English can be proud of. Present Continius does not introduce dissonance into this rule. His sentences are built on the same principle: a subject, followed by an auxiliary verb, then a semantic verb with the corresponding indigo ending, followed by the remaining members of the sentence.

Consider the picture and describe the actions that heroes perform, according to the scheme placed in the table.

The formation of affirmative offers in the present Continius

I	am	driving (food) laughing (laughs) playing (play) Verb + ing skating (skates) singing running
She He It	is
You They We	are

• I am driving.
• Tom is laughing.
• We are playing.
• Dad is skating (Dad is skating).
• You are singing.
• Lena is running.

Education negation

Turning an affirmative sentence into a negative one is very simple, just add the particle “not” to the verb “to be”.

The formation of negative offers in the present continius

I	am	not	driving (food) laughing (laughs) playing (play) skating (skates) 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

In order to pose a general question, the answer to which can be agreement or denial (yes / no), it is enough to put the "to be" forward.

The formation of a common issue in the present continius

Am	I	driving laughing (laughs)? playing (play)? skating (skating)? singing running
Is	she he it
Are	you they we

• Am I driving?
• Is dad skating (Dad is skating)?
• Are you singing?

It is also easy to formulate a special question that would clarify the circumstances, the method or quality of the action, you need to add the corresponding interrogative word in the previous form.

Special Continent Education

How When Why Who What Where	am	I	driving laughing (laughs)? playing (play)? skating (skating)? singing running
	is	she he it
	are	you they we

• How am I driving (How do I drive)?
• When is dad skating (when dad skates)?
• What are you singing?

Exercises

You need to convert the infinitive to the verb Present Continuous and select the correct form for "to be":

a) She / to read / a magazine now (She is reading the newspaper now).

b) Linda / to sit / at the piano (Linda is sitting at the piano).

c) He / to do / his homework (He does his homework).

d) They / to play / baseball.

e) I still / to write / a message (I am still writing a message).

f) We / to have / dinner now.

g) It still / to rain /.

h) It / to snow / now.

i) The girl / to draw / a picture.

j) You / to speak / to me now.

It is necessary to put affirmative sentences in interrogative and negative form:

A. I am studying.

B. We are playing ball.

C. They are eating now.

D. We are resting now.

E. She is sleeping.

Translate the following phrases into English:

1. She's riding a bike.
2. You are always late!
3. Where are they resting now?
4. We do not have breakfast.
5. What is he doing now?

Present Continius is a popular and easy enough to study temporary form. To avoid mistakes in its use, it is enough to remember in which cases it is used, to know the methods of its formation and those few verbs that are not used in it.