The formation of the present continuous. Present tense "The Present Continuous Tense

The present continuous is the first time that an English learner starts to get confused. If everything is more or less clear with the present, past and future - these three tenses are in almost all languages, then why do we need Present Continuous - another present?

If you are asking the same question, get ready for big shocks - there are at least 12 times in English (), and most of them have no analogues in Russian. But I hope that the readers of the site will not be surprised by the number of tenses in English, especially since the idea in Present Continuous is quite simple.

continuous vs progressive

But before starting to list the main use cases, a small digression for meticulous readers. Present Continuous (in textbooks with translation you can see “real continuous” or “real continuous”) is sometimes also called Present Progressive. In English it is exactly the same.

The remark "in English" certainly did not escape the eye of more meticulous readers. In oriental languages, for example, in Chinese (Mandarin), it is not the same thing - “to do something at this moment”, for example, putting on a shirt is one time (Progressive), but “to be in some state” For example, wearing a shirt is something else (Continuous).

And since we are talking about continuous in other languages, I will add that in many European languages ​​there is no analogue for continuous at all. Yes, in Italian and Spanish there is a construction for what is being done "right now", but it is used much less often than in English. In French and German there is no grammatical way at all to show that an action is happening "right now". Why go far - it’s the same in Russian: to emphasize that I’m doing something “right now”, I’ll have to say it right away - “I’m reading an article right now”, or you have to guess from the context “milk on the stove runs away [precisely at this moment, and not in general in life ...] "...
In English, the difference between "in general" and "right now" can be expressed grammatically - and that's what we'll talk about.

How is the Present Continuous formed?

The formula for the formation of Present Continuous is as follows: we take the verb to be, put it in the desired form, as in the simple present (am, are, is) and add the verb we need in the –ing form to it. Here are some examples.

I am reading a book. I read a book.
You are watching the TV show. You are watching a TV show.
My girlfriend is chatting with her friends, while I'm doing her homework. My girlfriend chats with her friends while I do her homework for her.

verb to be in this construction is called the “auxiliary verb” - auxiliary verb. (This will come in handy when we parse negative sentences or learn how to ask questions).

When and how to use Present Continuous

We figured out what Present Continuous looks like, now the most interesting thing is how to use it. Here are the three most common cases.

1. The action really happens “at this very moment”

That literally happens, at the moment when you say the phrase, at the same time.

Right now I am reading an article on the site- this is what readers of this article can say about themselves right now in Present Continuous.

What are you doing? What are you doing? Right now, when I look at you and ask - what are you doing at this moment.

I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain. I feel the drops fall on my head, but I don't stop singing, as the hero of a classic Hollywood movie did.

2. The action takes place in the wider "now", not far from the current moment.

If the “now” in which the action takes place is not exactly this second, but this minute, this day, year, and even a century, then this is also a case of using Present Continuous.

I'm reading "Lord of the Rings" now. I'm currently reading The Lord of the Rings. To say so, it is not necessary to hold a weighty volume of Tolkien in your hands, and even not take your eyes off the lines for a second. Present Continuous in this case is rather “these days” (or even “months” - the book is very long).

What are you working on now? What are you working on now? I mean, in general, what projects and tasks are you working on these days/months/years? And at the same time, your interlocutor is not at all obliged to hold tools in his hands or sit at a computer.

Our galaxy, Milky Way is heading for a collision with our neighbor, Andromeda galaxy. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, is about to collide with its neighbor, the Andromeda galaxy. And the fact that there are still 4 billion years left before the collision does not prevent us from using the Present Continuous here.

Present Continuous vs Present Simple

If this “now” is so extensible, then how is it fundamentally different from Present Simple? I live in Russia or I'm living in Russia? After all, I live in Russia at the moment?

The answer to this question depends on you, on what you want to say. This is something permanent that is unlikely to change in any foreseeable future - then Present Simple, " I live in Russia". And if you want to emphasize that this is just one of the few states that you are going through, and the situation may soon change - then I'm living in Russia.

Here are some more examples. Please note that Present Simple is used for permanent states, Present Continuous for temporary ones.

Normally I don't smoke, but I'm having a cigarette now, because I'm very nervous. I don't smoke at all, but now I'm with a cigarette, because I'm very worried.

The weather is nice today, so I'm walking home. I usually use subway. The weather is fine today and I'm walking home. Usually I ride the subway.
My friend lives in America. This weekend she is staying in my place. My friend lives in America. He will be staying with me this weekend.

There is another important point - words denoting states (for example need, like) are not used at all in Present Continuous. Such verbs in English are called stative verbs, state verbs. This is a separate big topic, so we will consider it in a separate article. In the meantime, let's move on to the next use case of Present Continuous.

3. Plans for the near future

That is, how can the time we use to describe the present moment be used for the future? Doesn't this cause confusion among those who speak English?

I agree, it sounds weird. But, firstly, with this use of Present Continuous, the future tense is obvious to the participants in the conversation - by mentioning tomorrow, next week, in the future. Secondly, I will repeat the same argument that I used in the article about Present Simple - we use exactly the same construction in Russian. Tomorrow I'm going to visit (I'll go instead). I'm going to university next year (I'm going to do it instead).

Are you coming to the party tomorrow? - I can't. This Friday I'm taking an exam, I need to study. Are you going to the party tomorrow? - I can’t, I’m taking the exam on Friday, I have to study.

Have you forgotten that Present Simple has the same “double role”? I can imagine your confusion: Present Simple can be used to talk about the future, now Present Continuous can be used to talk about the future… What, the English tenses are not paid enough at their main place of work and they periodically “hack” in neighboring areas?

Let's try to sort out this confusion. Use the Present Simple for the future when it comes to events that happen regularly, on schedule. Present Continuous - for something irregular, but planned now.

Train for Manchester leaves the station at 7 am. The train to Manchester leaves at 7am (meaning it happens every day).

I am leaving for Liverpool in the morning. I'm going to Liverpool in the morning (and judging by this offer, I don't do it every day).

One more case. Present Continuous and Annoyance

And here is the “half-case” that I mentioned in the title - irritation. "Half-case" - because this is not the most frequent use of Present Continuous. Beginners, I think, should get comfortable with the previous three. But for those who have been studying English for a long time, Present Continuous will help to gracefully express irritation. All you need to do is add words like always, constantly, all the time:

She is always complaining about something. She constantly complains about something.

I am so tired of my boss, he is often telling me what to do. The boss really got me, he always tells me what I need to do.

This app I installed is asking for money all the time. The app I installed keeps wanting money from me.

The effect of irritation is given by the combination of Present Continuous and always. Compare here:

He always gets up at 7 o'clock. He always gets up at 7 am. And apparently, he washes himself, does exercises. Good boy.

He is always getting up at 7 o'clock. He always gets up at 7 am. And, judging by the choice of grammatical time, he turns on loud music and interferes with sleep. Annoys.

That's all.
So, Present Continuous is used for what is happening "at the moment", even if this present moment is stretched in time. This is the difference between this tense and Present Simple,
Another important use case for Present Continuous is planned events in the future.
And for those who continue to learn English, there is another interesting way to use the Present Continuous - to express irritation.

affirmative form

Subject + to be (am, is, are) + Present Participle (infinitive without to ending -ing)

1. I am typing a message - I am writing a message (now).

• typing - infinitive type + ending -ing

2. Boris is playing the piano now - Boris is now playing the piano.

• playing - infinitive play + ending -ing
• now (now) - a word denoting the moment of speech

3. We are watching the football match - We are watching a football match (now).

• watching - infinitive watch + ending -ing

negative form

Subject + to be (am, is, are) + not + Present Participle (infinitive without to ending -ing)

1. I am not having a bath - I am not taking a bath (now).

• am - auxiliary verb to be
• not - negative particle
• having - infinitive have + ending -ing

2. It is not snowing - It's not snowing (now)

• is - auxiliary verb to be
• not - negative particle
• snowing - infinitive snow + ending -ing

3. My parents are not sleeping - My parents are not sleeping (now).

• are - auxiliary verb to be
• not - negative particle
• sleeping - infinitive sleep + ending -ing

Interrogative form

to be (am, is, are) + subject + Present Participle (infinitive without to ending -ing)

1. Is he cutting bread now? Is he cutting bread now? (general question)

• is - the auxiliary verb to be stands on first
• cutting - infinitive cut + ending -ing

2. Is the plane taking off right now? Is the plane taking off right now?

• is - the auxiliary verb to be stands on first place to form a question
• taking - infinitive take + ending -ing

3. Why are you shouting at him? Why are you yelling at him? (special question)

• are - the auxiliary verb to be stands after question word why and before subject
• shouting - infinitive shout + ending -ing

#2 Cases of using Present Continuous

1. Long-term action, which happens at the moment of speaking.

• The cat is playing with its tail - The cat plays with its tail. (now, at the moment)
• Don't make a noise, Mary is work ing Don't make noise, Maria is working.

2. Long action continues now but not necessarily at the moment of speaking.

• I "m looking for a book the Codex Leicester - I'm looking for the book "Leicester Code". (A person is looking for a book, but not at the moment of speech. The action has begun, but has not yet ended)

Present Continuous shows what in the present period of time human looking for this book, but usually (at all) he does not do this.

In this case, Present Simple is not used, since the meaning of such a sentence would be different.

I often buy history books - I often buy history books. (Present Simple expresses action, which usually happens. In this case, it is understood that a person usually buys historical books).

A few more similar examples.

• Have you heard about John? He is writing a book about bodybuilding – Heard about John? He is writing a book about bodybuilding. (currently, but not at the time of speaking)
• My brother is working on a new online shop - My brother is working on a new online store. (currently, but not at the time of speaking)

3. Action expression in future when it comes intention or pre-planned action.

• We are going to the cinema tonight - Tonight we are going to the cinema.
• Our manager is leaving London tomorrow - Our manager is leaving London tomorrow.

4. With words always(always), constantly(permanently), etc. The present continuous expresses an action that is repeated again and again. Usually in such sentences the speaker expresses impatience, disapproval.

• He is always losing his keys! He's always losing his keys!
• Why are you always criticizing her? Why are you always criticizing her?
• She is constantly stealing our images - She is constantly stealing our images.

5. Present Continuous is used to show change or trend.

• The weather is improving - The weather is improving.
• The climate is changing rapidly - The climate is changing rapidly.
• The cars are becoming more and more expensive - Cars are becoming more and more expensive.

#3 Turn TO BE GOING TO

The verb to go in Present Continuous + the infinitive forms a turnover to be going to that matters I'm going, I'm going.

• I am going to work with them - I'm going to work with them.
• She is going to complain to the manager about your behavior - She is going to complain to the manager about your behavior.
• How long are you going to wait for him? How long are you going to wait for him?
• We are going to invite her - We are going to invite her.

#4 Verbs that not used in Present Continuous

The verbs listed below not used in the times of the Continuous group. As a rule, these verbs are used in the times of the Indefinite group. This is explained by these verbs express feelings and states, not actions.

For example:

• I am wanting some coffee(wrong)
• I want some coffee (that's right)

Feeling/perception to feel * - feel to hear - to hear to see * - see to smell - to smell to taste - try (taste) Opinion to assume - assume, assume to believe - to believe to consider - to believe, to consider to doubt - to doubt to find (= to consider) to suppose - to assume to think - to think state of mind to forget - forget to imagine - to imagine to know - to know to mean - keep in mind to notice - notice to recognize - to recognize to remember - remember to understand - understand

Emotions/Desires to envy - to envy to fear - to be afraid to dislike - to feel dislike to hate - to hate to hope - hope to like - love, like to love - to love to mind - object to prefer - prefer to regret - regret to want - want to wish - wish Measurement to contain - contain to cost - cost to hold - contain, contain to measure - measure to weigh - weigh Other to seem - seem to have (when it means "to possess") * - to have, to possess to belong - to belong

*Exceptions Verbs of perception (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) usually used with can : I can see ... - I see ... These verbs can also be used in Continuous, but with a different meaning. This coat feels nice and warm - This coat feels (feels) warm and nice. (feeling the qualities of the jacket) John "s feeling much better now - Now John feels much better. (His health is improving) She has three dogs and a cat - She has three dogs and a cat. (ownership of something) She "s having supper - She has dinner. (she eats) I can see Anthony in the garden - I see Anthony in the garden. (perception) I "m seeing Anthony later - I will meet with Anthony later. (We plan to meet)

affirmative form Present Continuous (Present Continuous) is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the present tense (am, is, are) and the infinitive without to with the end -ing(Participle I - participle I or present participle). This can be represented as a formula:

to be (changeable part am, is, are) + infinitive without to (speak) + -ing speak+ink=speaking

I am speaking now.
She is speaking now.
They are speaking now.

Note:
Verbs expressing feelings of perception and mental activity, as well as some other verbs, are not used in the Continuous tenses. This: to want - to want, to like- like to love- be in love, to wish - want, to see- see, to hear- hear, to feel - feel, to notice- notice, to remember - remember, to recognize- learn to forget- forget, to seem - seem, to be- to be and etc.

negative form formed by adding a negative not to the auxiliary verb to be.

I am not working. I do not work.
He is not working. He does not work.
We are not working. We do not work.
They are not working. They do not work.

a) the auxiliary verb to be (am, is, are) is reduced, the negation of not remains unchanged.

I'm not working now. I am not working right now.
He's not working now. It doesn't work now.
You're not working now. You are not working now.

b) the negative particle not merges with the auxiliary verb, the letter o drops out:

Not isn't working now. It doesn't work now.
We aren't writing now. We are not writing now.

Interrogative form formed by rearranging the auxiliary verb and the subject - auxiliary verb to be placed before the subject.

Is he writing now? Is he writing now?
Are they reading? They are reading?

If there is a question word, it is placed before the auxiliary verb to be.

What are you doing now? What are you doing now?
Where is he working? Where he works?

Note:
If two verbs in Present Continuous have the same subject and are combined with a union and, then the auxiliary verb before the second, main, verb in Continuous is omitted.

She is sitting on the bench now and talking with Mr. brown.
Now she is sitting on a bench talking to Mr. Brown.

Writing rules

• If the verb ends with one letter -e, then before -ing this -e omitted: hat e-hat ing, so e- so ing.
• If the verb ends in -ee, then there is no change. The ending -ing added to the main verb: see - see ing, agree - agree ing.
• If there is a short vowel before the final consonant, then when adding the ending -ing the final consonant is doubled: run - run n ing, swim-swim m ing.
• If the verb consists of two or more syllables and the last syllable, which consists of one vowel before the final consonant, is stressed, then the final consonant is doubled: begin - begin n ing, admit - admit t ing.

Checkmate:

• enter - entering (the stress on the last syllable does not fall);
• last letter -l after a vowel (if there is only one vowel) in the British version it is always doubled, regardless of the stress: travel - travelling, signal - signaling.

Conjugation of the verbs to work, to write in Present Continuous

Use

Present Continuous is used:

• 1. To express an action that is happening at the present moment of speech, which is implied from the context or expressed by words such as now - now, at (the) present (moment) - at present, at this moment - Currently etc.

What are you doing (now)? - What are you doing now)?
I am cooking. Come and have supper with us. Cooking (in the kitchen). Come join us for dinner.

Note:
In principle, the presence of words denoting the moment of speech in an English sentence is not necessary, since the form of tense itself shows that the action takes place at the moment of speech. In Russian, the coincidence of an action with the moment of speech is either clear from the context, or is specified by the words now, at the moment, etc.

• 2. To express a continued action that does not necessarily occur at the moment of a conversation, but is permanent.

I am reading a novel by K. Simonov.
I am reading a novel by K. Simonov. (Action in progress, extended over time.)
They are learning two foreign languages ​​at the new gymnazium.
In the new gymnasium they study two foreign languages.
Not teaching English and learning French. He teaches English and studies French.

• 3. To express a pre-planned, planned action that will take place in the future, often the nearest.

Are you doing anything tonight? Are you doing anything tonight?
Yes, I am going to my judo class and (I’m) meeting my friends afterwards.
Yes, I go to judo classes, then I meet my friends. (So ​​planned.)
She is leaving at the end of the week. She leaves at the end of the week. (So ​​planned, decided.)

• 4. With an adverb always to express a constantly repeated action that causes irritation, condemnation and even indignation in the speaker.

Not is always going away for weekends. He's always away for the weekend.

Compare:
not always goes away for weekends. He always goes away for the weekend.

The use of Simple Present / Present Indefinite instead of Present Continuous changes the emotional attitude of the speaker to what is happening and is perceived by the latter as a normal normal phenomenon, as a fact of action.

The present continuous is usually not used:

• 1. With verbs expressing feelings of perception: to see - see, to hear- hear, to notice- notice, to smell- smell, to feel - feel, to recognize- learn, to listen (to) - listen, to watch- observe.

But: Present Continuous is used:

a) with the verb to see in the meaning of “meet on business”, in the meaning of “visit” some places associated with tourism, and also in the meaning of “take care of”.

The director is seeing the applicants this morning. The principal is meeting with the applicants this morning.
Is not seeing the sights. He'll be back later. He's sightseeing. He will return later.
Is not seeing about tickets for tonight. He's getting tickets for tonight.

b) with the verbs to listen, to look, to watch and sometimes to smell, if an intentional action is expressed.

Why are you looking at this furcoat? Why are you looking at this coat?
It's far too expensive. I see one in the corner that would suit you much better. She's too expensive. I see a fur coat in the corner that suits you better.
Don't disturb him now, he is listening to the "radio-fact". Don't disturb him, he's listening, radio fact.

c) with the verb to hear meaning "to receive information about something or from someone."

I've been hearing about this accident.
I heard (learned) all about this accident.

• 2. With verbs expressing emotions: to want - to want, to desire - want, to refuse - refuse, to forgive- forgive, to wish - want, to hate- hate, to like- like to love- be in love.

BUT: With the verb to like in the meaning of "like" Present Continuous is used.

How are you liking this hot weather? How do you like this heat?
Are you liking this nice trip on the sea? Do you enjoy this magnificent journey by sea?
Yes, I love it. Yes, I like it very much).
(No, I hate it). (No I do not like.)

• 3. With verbs expressing thought processes, etc.: to understand - understand, to know- know, to remember - remember, to believe - believe, to expect- expect, to suppose - believe, assume, to recollect - recall, to trust - trust.
• 4. With verbs expressing belonging: to own - have, to belong- belong, to possess - own.
• 5. With verbs to seem - seem, to signify - to express, to appear- appear, to contain - contain, to consist - consist, to keep- keep, to concern - worry, to matter - to mean.

Modal verbs in English do not express the action itself (therefore, they are not used independently), but the attitude towards the action. In combination with the infinitive, they express the possibility, necessity or desirability of performing an action and act as a compound verbal predicate.

Hello! If you are interested in the rules for the formation and use of time Present Continuous in English, then you've come to the right place! I will tell you what Present Continuous time is, I will explain the nuances of the formation and use of this time, and also for clarity, I will give many examples.

What is Present Continuous Tense?

Present Continuous Tense (Present Continuous) is a tense form of a verb that describes an action or state that is going on at the moment of speech. That is, Present Continuous Tense shows actions and states in progress! This is how it differs from the simple present tense (Present Simple Tense).

There is no analogue for Present Continuous Tense in Russian. It provides only one temporary form for the present tense, which expresses both shades of simple and long tense. Let's see this with an example:

• Present continuous: You are speaking Spanish - You speak Spanish. (Meaning you are speaking Spanish at the moment.)

• Present Simple: You speak Spanish. - You speak Spanish. (Meaning you can speak Spanish at all.)

As you can see, in Russian the same form of the verb conveys different shades of the present tense. Time Present Continuous

Rules for the formation of Present Continuous Tense

The Present Continuous is difficult. It is formed with an auxiliary verb to be in Present Simple Tense (am, are, is) and present participles of the main verb (verb ending -ing).

When forming the present participle (Present Participle), it is important to know the following rules:

• If the verb ends in an unpronounceable -e, then it goes down:

to drive e— driving
to give e- giving

• If the verb ends in a consonant after the stressed syllable, the consonant is doubled:

sit − si tt ing
to stop-sto pp ing
to forget-forge tt ing

• If the verb ends with -l preceded by a vowel, then -l always doubles (in the American version, this rule is not respected).

to travel-trave ll ing
to fulfil - fulfi ll ing

• If the verb ends with -ie, then -ie changes to -y:

to l ie—l y ing
to d ie- d y ing

Formation of the affirmative form:

• subject + to be in Present Simple (am, are, is) + Present Participle of the main verb (V + ing)

Formation of the interrogative form:

• to be in Present Simple (am, are, is) + subject + Present Participle of the main verb (V + ing)

Formation of the negative form:

• subject + to be in Present Simple (am, are, is) + negation of not + Present Participle of the main verb (V + ing)

Conjugation table of the verb to starve in Present Continuous Tense

Number	Face	affirmative form	Interrogative form	negative form
Unit h.	1 2 3	I am (I "m) starv ing You are (You're) starv ing He/She/It is (He "s/ She's/ It's) starv ing	Am I starv ing? Are you starv ing? Is he/ she/ it starv ing?	I am (I "m) not starv ing You are not (aren "t) starv ing He/She/It is not (isn "t) starv ing
Mn. h.	1 2 3	We are (We're) starv ing You are (You're) starv ing They are (They're) starv ing	Are we starv ing? Are you starv ing? Are they starv ing?	We are not (aren "t) starv ing You are not (aren "t) starv ing They are not (aren "t) starv ing

I advise you to carefully study this table as a cliché, where you will then substitute other verbs.

Not all English verbs are used in the long tense. Verbs that denote desires, thoughts, states, feelings, as a rule, are not used in the Present Continuous form. You can find a more detailed list of such verbs in the article: Present Simple tense in English

When can I use Present Continuous

Present Continuous Tense is used:

1. When expressing an action that is happening at the moment (now). Very often in such sentences there are circumstances of time by which the Present Continuous Tense can be accurately determined. For example:

• now - now
• at the moment - at the moment

• Don't you smell something is burning? "Don't you feel that something is on fire?"
• What are you talking about now? - What are you talking about now?

2. When expressing an action or state that lasts in the present tense (the action has already begun and has not yet ended), but not necessarily related to the current moment of speech:

• Sorry but I can't lend you this book because I'm reading it myself. — I'm sorry, but I can't lend you this book, because. I'm reading it myself right now.
• I'm studying at the university. - I study at University.

3. When expressing any inclination or permanent habit (usually negative). In such sentences, the verb expresses impatience or disapproval and is often accompanied by adverbs:

• always - always
• constantly - constantly
• all the time - all the time

• She is always coming too late! She always comes too late!
• I'm constantly wearing with my teachers. I constantly argue with my teachers.

4. When expressing actions planned for the near future. In such sentences, verbs of motion are very often used:

• to come - go
• to move - move
• to leave - leave
• to stay - stay
• to return - return
• to start - start

and expressions:

• to have guests - have guests
• to give a party - make a party

• I am giving a birthday party tomorrow. Tomorrow I'm having a birthday party.
• They are leaving us this afternoon. They are leaving us tonight.

Note!

The combination of the verb to go in Present Continuous Tense with the infinitive form of another verb also expresses the intention to perform an action in the near future:

• why are you going to change your flat? Why are you going to change your apartment?
• I'm going to present him to my parents. “Seo is going to introduce him to my parents.

6. When expressing an action that takes place simultaneously with another action expressed in Present Simple Tense. That is, in a subordinate clause of time or a condition after conjunctions.

Continuous Time Meaning and Translation:

The tenses of the Continuous group denote actions that are taking place (have been taking place, will be taking place) at exactly the specified time - the present, the past and the future. Additional characteristics of such actions are their incompleteness, dynamism, visibility. This can be seen from the comparison of infinitives:
To work - work (Indefinite)
To be working - literally be working (Continuous), that is, it shows the process as unfinished, ongoing.

For example, you can say. Our children read and Our children are reading. Both sentences are translated as: Our children read.
But in the first case, Present Indefinite gives only the most general idea: Our children read in the sense that they know how and love to read. At the moment of pronouncing these words, children may not dance, but learn lessons, play, dance.
But the sentence Our children are reading paints a concrete picture of children reading: They are reading now.

The formation of the Continuous form is due to the auxiliary verb to be.

Present Continuous (Present Continuous)

Present Continuous (Present Continuous) is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the present tense and the 4th main form of the verb.

Verb conjugation table in Present Continuous

affirmative form	Interrogative form	negative form
I am reading	Am I reading? I am reading?	I am not reading
He, she, it is reading	Is he, she, it reading? Does he, she, it read?	He, she, it is not reading
We are reading	Are we reading? We read?	We are not reading
You are reading	Are you reading? You read?	You are not reading
They are working	Are they reading? They are reading	They are not working

Note 1:

Note that the singular and plural forms are the same.
You are asking. You ask.
You're asking.

Note 2:

In colloquial English, short forms are usually used instead of full forms: isn't, aren't

Present Continuous (Present Continuous) is used in the following cases:

1. To express an action, an event taking place at the present time or at the moment of speech. Indicates that the action currently taking place began before this moment and will continue after it.
An indication of time like now (now), at the moment (at the moment) can be either expressed or implied.

She is answering (at this moment). She is in charge (currently)
She is studying at school (now). She is now in school.
He is writing a letter. He is now writing a letter.
I'm sitting in the park. I am sitting in the park.
Young woman is reading a book. A young woman is reading a book.

2. To express a future action (similar to in Russian), when there is an intention to perform an action or confidence in its commission.
In this case, the adverb indicates the future: soon (soon), tomorrow (tomorrow), next week (next week).

Liza is arriving in Moscow soon. Liza will soon arrive in Moscow.
They are leaving London tonight. Today they leave London.

Note:

With state verbs:

To love (to love);
- to think (think);
- to want (want);
- to live (live);
- to be (everyday life, to be);
- to feel (feel);
- to see (see);
- to know (to know);
- to remember (remember);
- to hear (to hear);
- to stay (to stay);

Present Continuous (Present Continuous) is not used.

The exception is the case when they want to show that this state is temporary.

How are you feeling? - Great. How do you feel? - Fabulous.
I know I'm being a stupid. But I don't know to do. I know that I'm acting stupid. But I don't know what to do.

Past Continuous (Past Continuous)

Past Continuous (Past Continuous) is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the past tense and the 4th main form of the verb.

Conjugation table in Past Continuous

affirmative form	Interrogative form	negative form
I was asking	Was I asking? I asked?	I was not asking
He, she, it was asking	Was he, she, asking? He, she asked?	He, she, it was not asking
We were asking	Were we asking? Did we ask?	We were not asking
You were asking	Were you asking? Did you ask?	You were not asking
They were asking	Were they asking? Did they ask?	They were not asking

Past Continuous (Past Continuous) is used in the following cases:

1. To express an action that took place (lasted) at a certain moment in the past, which is indicated either by a circumstance of time or by another action in the past. However, neither the beginning nor the end of the long-term action is known.

You were reading a book at 5 o'clock. You were reading a book at five o'clock.
You were reading a book when they came. I was reading a book when they arrived.
At the weekend I was preparing for my exams. At the weekend I was preparing for my exams.

2. To express a long-term action that took place at a certain period of time in the past (from five to six, all day long, the whole day yesterday)

I was writing letters the whole day yesterday. I wrote letters all day yesterday.

Important!
In this case, the beginning and end of the action are unknown, the only important thing is that it lasted the entire specified period of time.
In both cases, 1 and 2 Past Continuous is used when it is necessary to emphasize the process of action itself, its duration.
If only the fact of the action is important, then Past Indefinite is used.

In addition, Past Continuous can be used to express simultaneous actions that took place in the past at the same moment.

The children were playing in the yard while their mother was watching TV. The children were playing in the garden while the mother was watching TV.

As I was taking a shower, my girlfriend was cooking breakfast. While I was taking a shower, my girlfriend was preparing breakfast.

3. Past Continuous (Past continuous) is used with verbs of motion to express a future action that is planned in the past and is considered from the point of view of the past.

My mom was glad that I was leaving for Moscow. My mother was glad that I was going to Moscow.
They said that I was returning the next week. They said I'm coming back next week.
She wrote she was arriving on Sunday. She wrote that she was coming on Sunday.

Note 1:

The Past Continuous, like the Present Continuous, is usually not used with state verbs. State verbs are used in the Past Continuous only when it is emphasized that this state is temporary.

Note 2:

Past Continuous sometimes expresses someone's constant characteristic in the past. In the sentence in this case there are adverbs always, constantly.

He was always coming and staying for hours giving pointless advice and asking endless questions.
He always came and sat for hours giving useless advice and asking endless questions.

Future Continuous (Future Continued)

Future Continuous (Future Continuous) expresses a future action in the process of its completion, i.e. an unfinished long-term action. Formed with the help of the auxiliary verb to be in the future tense and the 4th main form of the verb.

Conjugation table in Future Continuous

affirmative form	Interrogative form	negative form
I shall be speaking. I will speak.	Shall I be speaking. I will speak?	I shall not be speaking. I will not speak.
He, she, it will be speaking. She, she, it will speak.	Will he, she, be speaking? She, she, it will speak?	He, she, it will not be speaking. She, she, it won't speak.
You will be speaking. You will speak.	Will you be speaking? Will you speak?	You will not be speaking. You won't speak.
We shall be speaking. We will talk.	Shall we be speaking? We will talk?	We shall not be speaking. We won't talk.
They will be speaking. They will speak.	Will they be speaking? Will they speak?	They will not be speaking. They won't speak.

Future Continuous (Future Continuous) is used:

1. To express a long-term action that will begin up to a certain moment in the future and will still continue, last at this moment. This may be indicated by the circumstance of time (at that moment, at six o'clock, at midnight)

At seven o'clock tomorrow she will be having an exam. Tomorrow at seven o'clock she will take the exam.
If you ring him up at midnight, she won't answer. She will be sleeping. If you call her at midnight, she won't answer. She will sleep.

2. To express a long-term action that will be performed at a certain period of time in the future.

Don't call my friend tonight between 7 and 11. She will be wring a letter. Don't call my friend between 7 and 11 o'clock. She will write a letter.
I shall be reading the whole day tomorrow. I will be reading all day tomorrow.

3. To express the intention to perform an action in the future or confidence in its commission.

I shall be reading tonight. I'm going to read tonight.
She will be visiting me tomorrow. Tomorrow she is going to visit me.