Present Continuous seems incomprehensible to many students, because there is no such analogue in our native language. Let's figure out how the present continuous tense is formed and in what cases it is used in order to make friends with it once and for all.

The Present Continuous is called the Present Progressive in some textbooks - remember that they are the same thing. Most often, the Present Continuous describes an action that occurs during a certain period of time in the present. But this time also has other functions. We will show you how to use it correctly depending on your specific situation.

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The Present Continuous tense is formed according to the following scheme:

To avoid mistakes in spelling verbs ending in -ing, pay attention to the following rules:

• if the verb ends in a vowel -e, then it is omitted: bake – baking;
• when a verb ends in vowels -ie, they change to -y: tie – tying;
• if the verb ends in one consonant letter, preceded by a stressed vowel sound, then the consonant letter at the end is doubled: let – letting, begin – beginning, regret – regretting.

Affirmative sentence:

She is petting her dog now. - She is now strokes your dog.

IN negative sentence The particle not is placed between the auxiliary and main verbs.

She is not (isn't) petting her dog now. - She is now doesn't iron your dog.

IN interrogative sentence The auxiliary verb comes first, followed by the subject and main form of the verb.

Is she petting her dog now? - She is now strokes your dog?

Below you can see how the Present Continuous is formed in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences.

Cases of using the Present Continuous

Let's look at examples of using the Present Continuous, starting with the simplest ones and gradually moving towards more complex ones.

For beginner and intermediate levels

1. The Present Continuous is used to describe an action that is happening at the current moment in time:

   Listen! The music is playing. - Listen! Music plays.
   Hush! The kids are sleeping. - Shh! Children sleeping.

   In such a situation, marker words are often found: now (now), right now (at this very minute), at the moment (at the moment), at present (currently). These are a kind of pointers to the present continuous tense.

   Steve is watching TV at the moment. - Now Steve looks TV.

2. The Present Continuous is used to describe ongoing actions in the present, even if they are not happening at the time of speech. That is, over some time we periodically perform this action:

   Jessica is learning French. - Jessica teaches French. (she has been learning French for some time and will continue to learn it, but she is not studying French right now)

   In this situation, Present Continuous marker words such as now, these days, currently are also often found. They are translated “now”, “at the moment”.

   Pete is currently training to participate in the Olympics. - Pete currently training to participate in the Olympic Games. (he is currently going to training and will continue to do so until the Olympics, but right now he is not in training)

3. The Present Continuous is used to describe changes occurring in a situation and the process of development. In such constructions, the action is often conveyed by the verbs to get (become), to increase (increase/increase), to decrease (decrease/decrease), to rise (rise), to fall (fall), to start (start/begin), to change (change/change), etc.

   An average day temperature is slowly increasing. - Average temperature gradually increases.
   The petrol is getting cheaper day by day. - Every day fuel becomes cheaper.

4. The Present Continuous can be used to indicate events in the near future, but only if it concerns planned actions. The future in such sentences is indicated by time, days of the week, or the words tomorrow, next week, next month, next year.

   Chris is buying a new phone tomorrow. - Tomorrow Chris will buy new phone. (he has already chosen the model, put aside money for the phone)
   We are flying to India next week. - Next week We we're flying to India. (the trip has already been planned, tickets have been purchased, the trip will definitely take place)

   When talking about the near future, we often use verbs of motion: to go (to go), to leave (to leave), to come (to come). These verbs indicate that an action will be performed immediately or in the near future.

   I don't feel well. I am going to bed. - I don't feel well. I I'm coming sleep. (I will take this action immediately)
   I "m coming in 5 minutes. Can you meet me up? - I I'll come in 5 minutes. Will you meet me? (I'm already on my way and I'm about to arrive.)

5. Present Continuous helps to express dissatisfaction or irritation when used with the words constantly (constantly), all the time (all the time), always (always). This way we show that some regular or frequently occurring action causes negative emotions.

   Susan is always leaving her coffee mug in the sink. - Susan constantly leaves your coffee cup in the sink. (the action is performed regularly, and the speaker is unhappy with this situation)

6. There are verbs that are not used in the Present Continuous. We are talking about state verbs (stative verbs), which express feelings and mental processes: to know, to forget, to notice, to understand, to recognize, to remember ( remember), to love, to hate, to want, to need, to believe, to hear, etc.

   I know which bus to take to get home. - I I know, which bus you need to take to get home. (knowledge is my state, not action)

For high level

Present continuous tense in English can also be used in the following situations:

1. There are verbs that in one meaning are verbs of state and cannot be used in the present continuous tense, and in another meaning they act as verbs of action and can be used in the Present Continuous. Let's look at examples:

   to think - consider, believe (state) and to think - reflect (action)
   to see - see (state) and to see - meet, see each other (action)
   to have - to have (state) and to have as part stable expression, for example, to have breakfast, to have a good time (have a good time)

   I think it is a nice jacket. - I I think that this is a good jacket. (this is my opinion)
   What are you thinking about? - What are you talking about? you think? (at the moment)

   The use of the Present Continuous form with some state verbs (to attract - to attract, to like - to like, to love - to love) is possible when the speaker wants to emphasize the temporary nature of his feelings.

   Usually I don't like music festivals, but I am loving this one. - I usually don't like it music festivals, but this one is me adore. (the speaker emphasizes that this is the festival he likes now.)

   We use some verbs that describe mental processes (to realize - to realize, to understand - to understand, to regret - to regret) in the Present Continuous to emphasize that we have just started to think about something and have not yet formed our final opinion.

   I "m realising how wrong I was. - I began to understand how wrong I was.

   Verbs that describe physical sensations (to feel, to hurt / to ache) can be used both in the Present Simple and the Present Continuous without much difference in meaning.

   I am feeling sad today. = I feel sad today. - I'm sad today.
   My head is aching. = My head aches. - I have a headache hurts.

2. We can also use the static verb to be in the Present Continuous if we want to emphasize that a person’s behavior is uncharacteristic for him.

   He is being weird after he lost his job. - He acting strange after he lost his job. (that is, he usually behaves differently)

3. We can use the Present Continuous and the Present Simple together to make our story sound more dynamic. In this case, the action in the Present Simple occurs against the background of the action in the Present Continuous, interrupting it and creating a feeling of suddenness.

   Two guys are walking through a game park and they come across a lion that has not eaten for days. - Two guys are coming through the wild animal park, when suddenly they bump into at a lion who had not eaten for several days.

How not to confuse Present Continuous and Present Simple

It is worth considering the most common situations in which one tense from the Present group can be mistaken for another:

1. The Present Continuous is used to describe situations and actions that the speaker considers temporary. The Present Simple describes situations that the speaker perceives as permanent.

   Linda is working at the ice cream shop during summer. - In the summer Linda works in an ice cream shop. (when the summer ends, Linda will no longer work at this location)
   Sam works as a manager at the ice cream shop. - Sam works manager at an ice cream store. (this is his full-time job)

2. If we describe repeated actions that are associated with the present moment, we use the Present Continuous. And if they are not connected with the present moment, we use the Present Simple.

   I "m speaking with my mom a lot these days. - Lately I often I say with mom on the phone. (there is a connection with the current moment)
   I speak with my aunt who lives in New York twice a year. - Twice a year I I'm talking with his aunt who lives in New York. (no connection with the present moment)

3. Present Continuous describes an action happening at the present moment. The Present Simple is used to describe facts that remain true at any given time.

   Kathy is speaking with her father at the moment. - Now Katie speaks with his father. (she is speaking at this moment in time, the conversation will be over)
   Kathy speaks English. - Katie speaks in English. (she can speak English, this statement remains a fact at any given time)

We suggest taking a test to reinforce the rules for using the Present Continuous tense.

Test on the topic “Present Continuous - present continuous tense in English”

The Present Continuous (Progressive) Tenses

Education

is formed with the help auxiliary verb to be in the present tense and the present participle of the semantic verb:

Short answers:

Are you learning English? - Yes, I am.

Use

1. The Present Continuous (Progressive) Tense used to express a continuing unfinished action occurring at the moment of speech. The moment of speech can be expressed by the following adverbs or phrases: now, at present, at the moment etc., but may be clear from the context:

What's that smell? Something's burning. - What is that smell? Something is burning.

Why are you wearing that funny hat? - Why are you wearing this funny hat?

2. This tense also expresses a long-term action taking place in the present period, not necessarily at the moment of speech.

Please don"t take that book. Anna"s reading it. - Please don't take this book. Anya reads it.

Andrew"s spending a lot of time in the library these days, as he"s writing a book. - Andrew spends a lot of time in the library these days because... writes a book.

3. In addition, this tense is used to express a future long-term action (instead of Future Continuous) in circumstances subordinate clauses conditions and times that are introduced by unions if, when, while etc. (see pp. 231-232):

I"ll be reading the newspaper while you are writing your exercises. - I will read the newspaper while you write exercises.

4. Note that in emotionally charged statements it can also be used with adverbs characterizing constant, habitual actions:

He"s always writing with a special pen just because he likes to be different (irritation). - He always writes with a special pen just because he doesn’t want to be like everyone else.

5. The Present Continuous (Progressive) Tense conveys a future event that has already been planned at the time of speech and will occur in the near future. In this meaning The Present Continuous used with verbs of movement or action (activity and motion): to see, to meet, to go, to come, to leave, to start etc. and usually with a time circumstance indicating the future:

They"re getting married in June. - They will get married in June.

We"re leaving at 11.00 in the morning. - We are leaving at 11 am.

I"m seeing him tomorrow. - I will see him tomorrow.

We"re having dinner together. - We will have lunch together.

I"m starting a new job next week. - I will start a new job next week.

To express the intention to perform an action or confidence in its completion in the future, along with Present Continuous (Progressive) often used Present Continuous (Progressive) from the verb to be in combination with the infinitive of the verb in the meaning “going to, intending, intending”:

He is going to spend his summer vacation in the Crimea. - He is going to spend his summer holidays in Crimea.

If in a sentence we're talking about about intention expressed by verbs to go or to come, design to be going to do sth replaced Present Continuous (Progressive) corresponding verbs:

He is going (coming) there (here). - He is going to go (come) there (here).

That be going + Infinite also expresses the greater likelihood or inevitability of an action occurring in the future. The subject in this case is inanimate:

The sky is clearing up; the rain is going to stop in a minute. - The sky is clearing; the rain will stop in a minute.

Some verbs cannot have forms Continuous (Progressive):

I like Indian food. - I love Indian food.

Verbs not used in the form Continuous (Progressive)(see more full list in the Appendix, page 271):

Verbs of mental activity: to know, to mind, to understand, to believe, to forget, to remember, to mean, to doubt, to recognize:

She knows a lot about astrology. - She knows a lot about astrology.

I believe his story. - I believe his story (story).

Do you understand what I"m saying? - Do you understand what I’m talking about?

I think he is a kind man. - I think he is a kind person.

I don"t recognize him. - I don’t recognize him.

I remember my first teacher. - I remember my first teacher.

I forget his name. - I forget his name.

I mean this book, not that one. - I mean this book, not that one.

Verbs expressing emotional states: to like, to dislike, to look, to prefer, to want, to care, to hate, to love, to need, to appreciate, to seem:

I like playing football. - I love playing football.

They love listening to music. - They love to listen to music.

I hate getting up early in the morning. - I hate getting up early in the morning.

I want to leave now. - Now I want to leave.

He prefers to stay here. - He prefers to stay here.

I need some help. - I need help.

I appreciate your help. - I appreciate your help.

He seems to be a nice person. - He seems like a good person.

Verbs of the five senses: sight, smell, taste, hearing, sensation ( to see, fo smell, to taste, to hear, to touch). They are usually used with modal verb саn: саn see, can smell, can hear, can taste, can feel:

I can smell something burning. - I feel something is burning.

Can you see Peter? - Do you see Peter?

What's that noise? Can you hear it? - What is this noise? Do you hear?

This food tastes good. - This food is delicious.

Verbs of possession: to possess, to own, to belong, to have:

I have two sisters. - I have two sisters.

Not owns a car. - He has a car.

This book belongs to me. - This is my book.

He possesses many fine qualities. - He has many good qualities.

Some other verbs: to cost, to need, to contain, to depend, to consist, to seem:

A newspaper costs about 20p. - A newspaper costs about 20 pence.

I need a bath. - I need to take a bath.

Be careful! That bottle contains poison. - Carefully! There's poison in this bottle.

Some of the above verbs can be used in the form Continuous (Progressive), but their meaning changes:

to think meaning "to have an opinion" in Continuous (Progressive) not used:

What do you think of classical music? - What do you think about classical music? I think it's boring. - I think it's boring.

However to think in the meaning of “to have something in mind, to think” is used in Continuous (Progressive), because it is a mental activity, not a state:

You aren't listening to me? What are you thinking about? - Can't you hear me? What are you thinking about? I'm thinking about a letter I received this morning. - I'm thinking about the letter I received this morning.

to have Continuous (Progressive).

When indicating an action in a form Continuous (Progressive) used to have+ noun:

John"s having a bath. - John is taking a bath.

We"re having cheese for lunch. - We have cheese for lunch.

to look at And listen to can be used in Continuous (Progressive):

She"s looking at my holiday photographs. - She looks at my photographs taken on vacation.

Don"t turn the music off. I"m listening to it. - Don't turn off the music. I'm listening.

to see used in the form Continuous (Progressive) in the meaning of “to visit”, “to inspect”, “to watch a film”:

We are seeing a film. - We are watching a film.

to hear used in Continuous (Progressive) in the meaning of “listen”, “attend (lectures)”, etc.:

I "m hearing your voice. - I listen to your voice.

You will be hearing from me (meaning: I will write or phone you.) - I will contact you soon.

to mean in the meaning of “intend” is used in the forms Continuous (Progressive):

I have been meaning to call you (intending) - I’m going to call you.

Common mistakes

Are you learning English?

Yes, I"m.

Is Marianna reading now?

Yes, she's.

Short affirmative answers cannot be shortened.

Correct answers:

Yes, I am; Yes, she is.

I'm liking Indian food.

Some verbs have no forms Continuous, so it is correct to say:

I like Indian food.

I"m having black hair.

Verb to have meaning "to have" has no form Continuous:

I have ( have got) black hair.

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If we talk about the popularity of using tenses in English, the group Simple will undoubtedly take first place. However, this group alone will certainly not take you to London, and therefore it is necessary to expand the capabilities of the language. The second most popular group of times, the Continuous group, can help with this perfectly. Like all other groups, it contains past, present and future tenses. Today we will focus on the Present Continuous Tense (pronounced present continuous tense) or the present continuous tense, examining how this tense is formed.

Present Continuous Tense (also Present Progressive Tense) or present continuous tense is the tense of the English language, responsible for actions that occur in the present time at the time of conversation.

On initial stage language learning this time is often confused with the times of the Present Simple. Yes, in both the first and second cases it concerns the present, but the difference between these times is colossal. To avoid getting into trouble with the use of these tenses, let's take a closer look at the Present Continuous tense in English.

The formation of the Present Continuous is based on the use of auxiliary and semantic verbs. The auxiliary verb is to be in the present tense. Depending on the person and number, this tense can have 3 forms:

Pronouns / Pronouns	to be in the present tense
I	am
He
We

Participle I or the present participle is used as a semantic verb. To form the present participle in the active voice, you do not need to separately remember the rules for regular and irregular verbs. It is enough just to take any verb in the infinitive form, remove the preposition to and add the ending –ing.

Examples in Present Continuous Tense	Method of education
I'm learning Chinese. (I'm studying Chinese.)	to learn -> learn learn + ing = learning
She is working hard. (She works hard.)	to work -> work work + ing = working
They are dancing. (They dance.)	to dance -> dance danc(e) + ing = dancing
We are leaving. (We're leaving.)	to leave -> leave leav(e) + ing = leaving
She is dying. (She's dying.)	to die -> die dy + ing = dying

When adding an ending, it is worth considering certain nuances:

• If a word ends in –e, this letter is omitted:

A verb cannot be formed in this way if there are two –e in the word. In this case, the standard rule applies:

• If a word ends in –ie, this combination of letters is replaced with –y:

The exception is words ending in –x and –w, which are not doubled:

If a word ends with a consonant –r, that letter must be doubled unless there is a diphthong before it:

Doubling the consonant –l at the end is possible if the stress falls on the last syllable and the –l is preceded by a short vowel:

In British English, –l is doubled even if the stress is not on the last syllable.

Please note that words that end in –ing are not always present participles. Nouns and adjectives are often expressed with these words:

Present Continuous: sentence forms

Now let's look at how sentences are formed using auxiliary and semantic verbs:

Affirmative form of Present Continuous

The affirmative form of the Present Continuous contains direct word order. In such a sentence, after the subject there are auxiliary and semantic verbs. Affirmative sentence scheme:

The sentences above are used in the active voice, where the action is performed by the subject. However, sometimes situations arise in which it is necessary to show that the action is directed at the object/person itself. In such cases, the passive voice is used, for the formation of which it is necessary to use three verbs: the same auxiliary verb to be in the present tense, the verb to be in Participle I (being) and the past participle (or Participle II):

Subject + (be) + being + Past Participle

Everything is clear with the first two, but Past Participle has its own characteristics. It contains two forms of education, the choice of which depends on correctness or incorrectness English verbs. So past participle with correct verbs formed by adding the ending –ed. Irregular verbs they do not obey this rule: each of them has a singular form, so you just need to try to remember such verbs.

Such sentences often use the preposition by, which shows who did the action. Examples:

The rule also applies to sentences in the passive voice:

The auxiliary verb in the affirmative and negative forms is often shortened in speech and writing like the Present Simple tense:

Abbreviating am not in the negative form as amn’t is, as a rule, not accepted. This form of negation for the Present Continuous can be found in Scotland and Ireland.

Question form Present Continuous

The interrogative form in the Present Continuous tense is constructed based on the type of question:

• General and alternative questions bring the auxiliary verb forward before the subject:

This question is answered briefly using an auxiliary verb:

This question requires a complete answer:

When using two or more semantic verbs, the auxiliary verb is used once at the beginning.

• A special question for the Present Continuous must contain question word, which comes before the auxiliary verb.

A complete answer is also needed here:

A short answer is required here, similar to the answer to the general question:

These were all the rules for forming the Present Continuous, with the help of which you can easily compose a grammatically correct sentence.

Present Continuous: use

Present Continuous or present continuous tense is used constantly in speech. Let's consider all cases of using the Present Continuous.

1. The present continuous tense in English is used to indicate actions that are ongoing at the time of conversation. Often in this case, the indicator words now (now) and at the moment (at the moment) are used:

She is passing an exam at the moment.	She is currently taking an exam.
I'm working now.	I'm working now.
She is talking with the boss about a new project.	She talks to her boss about a new project.
Cake is being made in the kitchen.	A cake is being prepared in the kitchen.

Don't confuse Present Simple and Continuous:

1. Present Continuous Tense is also used when talking about actions that are happening now, but not specifically at this moment.

1. The use of the Present Continuous is possible with the adverbs always / constantly (constantly), again and again (every now and then), all the time (all the time). Such sentences differ from sentences in the Present Simple in that they usually imply the speaker's irritation regarding some habit. As a Russian analogue, the adverbs here can mean “always doing something”:

1. The use of Present Continuous Tense is possible in cases where the speaker knows or assumes that the action will not last long. In such sentences there are words for / during (during), until / till (until / until).

The second part of the sentence in this construction is usually used in the Present Simple.

1. The Present Continuous is used when talking about planned actions in the future. In this case, preference for this time can be given only when the action is definitely decided to be carried out. Sentences may contain satellite words: tonight, today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, this (next) week / month / year (in this (next) week / month / year).

The translation of such constructions is usually carried out in the present tense, although, in essence, this does not change anything even in the Russian language: it is clear that the action is not being performed now.

1. The present continuous tense in English is also used to express actions that will happen in the near future, using verbs of motion. These include: go (go), come (come), leave (leave), move (move), take off (take off), land (land), return (return), move (move).

The translation is also in the present tense, although the future is implied.

1. Present Continuous or Progressive Tense is used when talking about actions that change gradually. Often for this case, words in English are used that imply this change: change (change), increase (increase), decrease (decrease), improve (improve), rise (rise), grow (grow), fall (fall), begin / start (begin), become / get (become):

1. Present Continuous is used when emphasis is placed on unusual behavior of a person that is not observed:

1. However, the above cases do not always apply. So, for example, exceptions to the rules in Present Continuous Tense are state verbs or state verbs, with which the Continuous tense cannot be used, since they themselves imply action. Such an action usually cannot be observed with the eyes. These include verbs responsible for:

• emotions (love - to love, hate - to hate, adore - to adore, respect - to respect);
• processes of mental activity (think - think, believe - believe, assume - believe);
• perception (feel – to feel, hear – to hear, see – to see, notice – to notice);
• ownership rights (have - to have, belong - to belong, possess - to have, own - to own);
• desires (wish - to dream, want - to want, desire - to desire);
• other (succeed - to succeed, need - to need, find - to seek, fail - to fail).

Used with these verbs present time Simple.

However, there are certain situations where a stative verb can be used as a continuous verb. This is possible if:

• a word from the list of state verbs has another meaning:
• see (to see) can be used to mean “to meet” or “to examine”:

• appear (seem) meaning “to perform on stage”:

• have in stable expressions

1. The Present Continuous is also used to contrast something new with something old:

1. The Present Continuous is used in subordinate clauses to show that some actions continue during others. To do this, the Present Continuous is used in the subordinate clause, and the Present Simple in the main part. Such constructions often contain the words when (when), if (if), in case (in case), as long as (yet), unless (not yet):

• In order to show one continuous action against the background of another, the conjunction while (while), expressing subordinate adverbs of time, can be used. Both parts use the Present Continuous tense:

She is checking my work while I’m eating.	She checks my work while I eat.
While I’m singing, he is playing the guitar.	While I sing, he plays the guitar.

Today we learned what the Present Continuous is and in what situations it is used. Present Continuous grammar is not very difficult, so you will quickly master this tense by practicing all the uses mentioned.

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It is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the present tense and the present participle of the semantic verb.

Short answers:

Are you learning English? - Yes, I am.

Use The Present Continuous (Progressive) Tense

1. The Present Continuous (Progressive) Tense is used to express ongoing unfinished action happening at the moment of speech. The moment of speech can be expressed by the following adverbs or phrases: now, at present, at the moment etc., but may be clear from the context:

What's that smell? Something's burning. - What is that smell? Something is burning.

Why are you wearing that funny hat? - Why are you wearing this funny hat?

2. This tense also expresses long action happening at present, not necessarily at the moment of speech.

Please don"t take that book. Anna"s reading it. - Please, don't take this book. Anya reads it.

Andrew"s spending a lot of time in the library these days, as he"s writing a book. - Andrew spends a lot of time in the library these days because... writes a book.

3. In addition, this tense is used to express future long-acting(instead of Future Continuous) in adverbial subordinate clauses of conditions and time, which are introduced by conjunctions if, when, while etc.:

I"ll be reading the newspaper while you are writing your exercises. - I will read the newspaper while you write exercises.

4. Note that Present Continuous (Progressive) in emotionally charged statements can also be used with adverbs characterizing constant, habitual actions:

He"s always writing with a special pen just because he likes to be different (irritation). - He always writes with a special pen just because he doesn’t want to be like everyone else.

5. The Present Continuous (Progressive) Tense conveys future event, which already planned by the time of the speech and will happen in the near future. In this meaning, The Present Continuous is used with verbs of movement or action (activity and motion): to see, to meet, to go, to come, to leave, to start , etc. and usually with a time circumstance indicating the future:

They"re getting married in June. - They will get married in June.

We"re leaving at 11.00 in the morning. - We are leaving at 11 am.

I"m seeing him tomorrow. - I will see him tomorrow.

We"re having dinner together. - We will have lunch together.

I"m starting a new job next week. - I will start a new job next week.

To express the intention to perform an action or confidence in its completion in the future, along with the Present Continuous (Progressive), the Present Continuous (Progressive) from the verb is often used to be in combination with the infinitive of the verb in the meaning “going to, intending, intending”:

Not going to spend his summer vacation in the Crimea. - He is going to spend his summer holidays in Crimea.

If the sentence is about intention expressed by verbs to go or to come, design to be going to do sth The Present Continuous (Progressive) of the corresponding verbs is replaced:

He is going (coming) there (here). - He is going to go (come) there (here).

That be going + Infinite also expresses the greater likelihood or inevitability of an action occurring in the future. The subject in this case is inanimate:

The sky is clearing up; the rain is going to stop in a minute. - The sky is clearing; the rain will stop in a minute.

Some verbs cannot have Continuous forms(Progressive):

I like Indian food. - I love Indian food.

Verbs not used in the Continuous (Progressive) form:

Verbs mental activity: to know, to mind, to understand, to believe, to forget, to remember, to mean, to doubt, to recognize :

She knows a lot about astrology. - She knows a lot about astrology.

I believe his story. - I believe his story (story).

Do you understand what I"m saying? - Do you understand what I’m talking about?

I think he is a kind man. - I think he is a kind person.

I don"t recognize him. - I don’t recognize him.

I remember my first teacher. - I remember my first teacher.

I forget his name. - I forget his name.

I mean this book, not that one. - I mean this book, not that one.

Verbs expressing emotional states: to like, to dislike, to look, to prefer, to want, to care, to hate, to love, to need, to appreciate, to seem :

I like playing football. - I love playing football.

They love listening to music. - They love to listen to music.

I hate getting up early in the morning. - I hate getting up early in the morning.

I want to leave now. - Now I want to leave.

Doesn't prefer to stay here. - He prefers to stay here.

I need some help. - I need help.

I appreciate your help. - I appreciate your help.

Doesn't seem to be a nice person. - He seems like a good person.

Verbs five senses: sight, smell, taste, hearing, sensation (to see, to smell, to taste, to hear, to touch ). They are usually used with a modal verb can: сан see, can smell, can hear, can taste, can feel:

I can smell something burning.- I feel something is burning.

Can you see Peter? - Do you see Peter?

What's that noise? Can you hear it? - What is this noise? Do you hear?

This food tastes good. - This food is delicious.

Verbs possession: to possess, to own, to belong, to have :

I have two sisters. - I have two sisters.

Not owns a car. -He has a car.

This book belongs to me. - This is my book.

Does not possess many fine qualities. - He has many good qualities.

Some other verbs: to cost, to need, to contain, to depend, to consist, to seem :

A newspaper costs about 20p. - A newspaper costs about 20 pence.

I need a bath. - I need to take a bath.

Be careful! That bottle contains poison. - Carefully! There's poison in this bottle.

Some of the above verbs can be used in the Continuous (Progressive) form, but their meaning changes:

to think not used in the meaning of “to have an opinion” in Continuous (Progressive)

What do you think of classical music? - What do you think about classical music?

I think it's boring. - I think it's boring.

However to think in the meaning of “to have something in mind, to think” is used in Continuous (Progressive), because it is a mental activity, not a state:

You aren't listening to me? What are you thinking about? - Can't you hear me? What are you thinking about?

I"m thinking about a letter I received this morning. - I'm thinking about the letter I received this morning.

to have in the meaning of “to possess” it does not have a Continuous (progressive) form

When denoting an action in the Continuous (Progressive) form, use to have + noun:

John"s having a bath. - John is taking a bath.

We"re having cheese for- lunch. - We have cheese for lunch.

to look at And listen to can be used in Continuous (Progressive):

She"s looking at my holiday photographs. - She looks at the photographs taken on vacation.

Don"t turn the music off. I"m listening to it. - Don't turn off the music. I'm listening.

to see used in the Continuous (Progressive) form in the meaning “to examine”, “to watch a film”:

We are seeing a film. - We are watching a film.

to hear used in the Continuous (Progressive) to mean “listen”, “attend (lectures)”, etc.:

I "m hearing your voice. - I listen to your voice.

You will be hearing from me (meaning: I will write or phone you.) - I will contact you soon.

to mean in the meaning of “intend” is used in Continuous (Progressive) forms:

I have been meaning to call you (intending) - I’m going to call you.

Common mistakes

Are you learning English?
- Yes, I"m.

Is Mananna reading now?
- Yes, she's.

Short affirmative answers cannot be shortened!

Correct answers: - Yes, I am; Yes, she is.

I'm liking Indian food.

Some verbs do not have continuous forms, so it is correct to say: I like Indian food.

I"m having black hair.

The verb to have in the meaning of “possess” does not have a Continuous form: I have (have got) black hair.

In English, tenses such as the Present Continuous and the Present Simple imply the present tense, but they differ significantly in application and in formation. Let's figure out how to distinguish Present Simple from Present Continuous and give examples.
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Present Continuous

• Used during a conversation, it shows some action that lasts for a certain time. I am dancing now. - I'm dancing now.
• The words used are now - now, at the moment - at the moment.
• Additional verb of the present tense to be (am, is, are) We are waiting for you in the street - We are waiting for you on the street.
• Important! Exception: Do not confuse the Present Simple - if the action takes place on these days, then the Present Progressive is used. Example: David IS HAVING trouble with his computer these days so he won’t be able to finish the report on time. That is, the action takes place in the present and not always in general, but on these days it lasts.

Present Simple

• Defines a simple regular action, characteristic of people, objects, contained in the subject. Example: I go to school every day - I go to school every day.
• Used in the process of conversation with Continuous exception verbs (to see, to hear, to recognize, to want, to understand, etc.) Don't talk so loudly, I hear you well - Don't talk so loudly, I hear you Fine.
• Negation and question form do and does.
• The verb of the Present Simple is the same as the infinitive form, without to, except for the 3rd person singular. So, we looked at the differences between the Present Simple and the Present Continuous. The Present Continuous is formed using the verb to be and the ending –ing of the semantic verb. But regarding the peculiarity - the Present Simple has the ending –s in the 3rd person singular.