Is it possible to use the verb "to be" in Present Continuous like this: "be + being" ? For example, "You are being rude".
Be twice in a row, isn't that a tautology?
In fact, this is a completely correct and fairly common construction.
But then how is "You are being rude" different from just "You are rude?"
Let's figure it out.
1. Your girlfriend is offended by you because of a trifle and defiantly ignores you all evening at a party.
Do you want to tell her that she:
Acting stupid You are being silly!
Acting funny (ridiculous) You are being ridiculous!
Well, if you say "You are silly!" or "You are ridiculous!" then you can offend your girlfriend even more. After all, this will mean that she is generally stupid and absurd in life.
She is + adjective and/or noun
She is being + adjective and/or noun She's not usually like that (doesn't behave like that), but something came over her today. Or she does it on purpose.
2. Your colleague is constantly doing something stupid, and as a result, you suffer a little too. Today, once again, he acts unreasonably. Of course, you have long considered him a total idiot. But you, as a well-mannered and cautious person, instead of "You are a complete idiot!" say:
Which means, "you're actually a normal guy, but now in this particular situation you're acting like a complete idiot."
And then no one can accuse you of calling him an idiot :)
3. The neighbor's child in the yard is behaving very badly. You want to reprimand him, but don't tell the child "You're bad", especially in front of his mother.
You are being bad today, young man. Behave yourself. You're behaving badly today, young man. Behave yourself.
4. "being" is also used when we want to emphasize that someone behaves in a certain way on purpose, with some intention:
I wonder why Hunter is being so nice to me today. Usually he doesn't even say "Hi". I wonder why Hunter is so nice to me. He usually doesn't even say hello.
5. An Englishman praised your English. You think he's just being kind to you and your English isn't that good:
You have very good English. - Thank you, but I think you're just kind to me (something like "you flatter me") - No, I really think so.
6. You can also use "being" with the pronoun "I".
I know that I "m being a selfish pig, but I" m not going to change my decision. I know I'm acting like a selfish pig, but I'm not going to change my mind.
7. You complimented a colleague and she thinks you want something from her. In response to her accusation, you say:
I am just being polite. I'm just trying to be polite.
Or, alternatively, you can say "I"m just trying to be polite".
However, be careful!
"I'm just trying (/et) to be" can be translated into English as "am/is just being polite" only when it comes to behavior.
And if, for example, you want to say "I'm just trying to be unbiased" (which has nothing to do with behavior), then being is inappropriate here. In this case, you can simply say: "I"m just trying to be unbiased".
In fact, the topic of using the word being is quite voluminous, so somehow we will return to it.
As a summary, here are useful phrases from this material that you can use in your speech: (by the way, we have prepared them for you and in audio format, you will find them at the end of this page: http://www.blab-club. ru/words/you-are-being/)
You are being silly!
You are being ridiculous!
You are being a complete idiot!
You are being bad today, young man. Behave yourself.
I wonder why Hunter is being so nice to me today. Usually he doesn't even say hi.
Your English is very good. - Thank you, but I think you are just being nice to me. - No, I really mean it.
I know that I "m being a selfish pig, but I" m not going to change my decision.
I am just being polite.
I "m just trying to be polite.
I'm just trying to be unbiased.
Present Continuous seems incomprehensible to many students, because such an analogue in our mother tongue no. Let's see how the present is formed and in what cases it is used. long time to make friends with him once and for all.
The present continuous (Present Continuous) in some textbooks is called present progressive- remember that they are one and the same. Most often, the Present Continuous describes an action that takes place over a period of time in the present. But this time has other functions as well. We will show you how to use it correctly depending on the specific situation.
If you want to learn more grammar topics, sign up with your future teacher.
Present Continuous time is formed according to the scheme:
In order not to make a mistake in writing a verb with the ending -ing, pay attention to the following rules:
- if the verb ends in a vowel -e, then it is omitted: bake - baking;
- when the verb ends in vowels -ie, they change to -y: tie - tying;
- if the verb ends in one consonant letter, before which there is a stressed vowel, 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 a 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 does not iron your dog.
In an interrogative sentence, the auxiliary verb comes first, followed by the subject and the 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 Present Continuous
Consider examples of the use of Present Continuous, starting with the simplest and gradually moving towards more complex ones.
For beginner and intermediate levels
- The Present Continuous is used to describe an action that is happening at the current time:
Listen! The music is playing. - Listen! Music plays.
Hush! The kids are sleeping. - Shh! Children are 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 (at present). These are some kind of pointers to the present continuous tense.
Steve is watching TV at the moment. - Now Steve looks television.
- Present Continuous is used to describe prolonged action in the present, even if they are not happening at the moment of speaking. That is, for some time we periodically perform this action:
Jessica is learning French. - Jessica teaches French. (she has been studying French for a while now and will continue to learn it, but she is not busy learning French right now)
In this situation, such present continuous marker words as now, these days, currently are also often found. They are translated "now", "currently".
Pete is currently training to participate in the Olympics. - Pete currently training to participate in the Olympic Games. (he is currently training and will continue until the Olympics, but right now he is not in training)
- Present Continuous is used to describe the changes that occur in a situation and the development process. 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. - Fuel every day getting cheaper. - 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 (tomorrow), next week (on next week), next month (in next month), next year (next year).
Cris is buying a new phone tomorrow. - Tomorrow Chris will buy new phone. (he has already chosen a model, put money on the phone)
We are flying to India next week. - Next week we we fly to India. (the trip is already planned, the tickets are bought, the trip will definitely take place)Speaking about the near future, we often use verbs of motion: to go (to go), to leave (to leave), to come (to come). These verbs show that the action will be performed immediately or in the near future.
I don't feel well. I am going to bed. - I do not feel myself well. I I'm going sleep. (I will take this action immediately)
I "m coming in 5 minutes. Can you meet me up? - I I will come In 5 minutes. Will you meet me? (I'm already on my way and I'll be right back.) - Present Continuous helps to express dissatisfaction or irritation when used with the words constantly (constantly), all the time (all the time), always (always). So 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. (action is performed regularly, and the speaker is unhappy with this situation)
- There are verbs that are not used in Present Continuous. We are talking about state verbs (stative verbs), which express feelings and thought processes: to know (to know), to forget (to forget), to notice (to notice), to understand (to understand), to recognize (to learn), to remember ( remember), to love (to love), to hate (to hate), to want (to want), to need (to need), to believe (to believe), to hear (to hear), etc.
I know which bus to take to get home. - I I know which bus to take to get home. (knowledge is my state, not action)
For high level
Present continuous tense in English language can also be used in the following situations:
- There are verbs that in one sense are state verbs and cannot be used in the present continuous tense, and in another sense act as action verbs and can be used in 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 (action)
to have - to have (state) and to have as part of a stable expression, for example, to have breakfast (have breakfast), to have a good time (have a good time)I think it is a nice jacket. - I I think, what is this nice jacket. (it's my opinion)
What are you thinking about? - what are you talking about think? (Currently)Use Present forms Continuous 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 temporality of his feelings.
Usually I don't like music festivals, but I am loving this one. - I usually do not like music festivals, but this one is me love. (the speaker emphasizes that he likes this particular festival now.)
We use some verbs that describe thought processes (to realize - to realize, to understand - to understand, to regret - to regret), we use in Present Continuous to emphasize that we have just begun to think about something and have not yet formed our final opinion.
I "m realizing how wrong I was. - I began to understand how was wrong.
Verbs that describe physical sensations (to feel - to feel, to hurt / to ache - to hurt) can be used as in present simple, and in Present Continuous without much difference in meaning.
I am feeling sad today. = I feel sad today. - I'm sad today.
my head is teaching. = My head ache. - I have a head hurts. - We can also use the static verb to be in 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. (i.e. it usually behaves differently)
- We can use the Present Continuous and Present Simple tenses together to make our story sound more dynamic. In this case, the action in the Present Simple takes place against the background of the action in the Present Continuous, interrupting it and creating a sense of suddenness.
two guys are walking through a game park and they come across a lion that has not eaten for days. - Two boys go through the wild animal park, when they suddenly stumble on a lion that hasn't eaten in days.
How not to confuse Present Continuous and Present Simple
It is worth considering the most common situations in which one time from the Present group can be mistaken for another:
- Present Continuous is used to describe situations and actions that the speaker considers temporary. Present Simple describes situations that the speaker perceives as permanent.
Linda is working at the ice cream shop during summer. - Summer Linda works in an ice cream shop. (when summer ends, Linda will no longer work at this place)
Sam works as a manager at the ice cream shop. - Sam works manager at an ice cream shop. (this is his regular job) - If we are describing repetitive actions that are related to the present moment, we use the Present Continuous. And if they are not connected with the present moment, we use Present Simple.
I "m speaking with my mom a lot these days. - Recently, 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 talking with his aunt who lives in New York. (no connection to the present moment) - The Present Continuous describes an action that is happening at the present moment. Present Simple is used to describe facts that remain true at any given time.
Kathy is speaking with her father at the moment. - Now Katy He speaks with his father. (she is speaking at the present time, the conversation will be over)
Kathy speaks English. - Katy He speaks in English. (she can speak English, this statement remains a fact at any given time)
We suggest taking a test to consolidate the rules for using Present Continuous.
Test on the topic "Present Continuous - Present Continuous in English"
Present Progressive (Present Continuous) tense- present long time. In most cases, this time indicates that the action is happening right now. For us Russians, Present Continuous may seem too difficult to understand at first. This is not surprising, because in Russian there are no such tenses of the verb. For example, the sentence “I play the balalaika” in Russian may mean that I am playing now or playing at all (I know how to play). In English, these are two different sentences. However, some verbs in different situations are also used in different ways.
AT in general terms: if we want to say that an action is happening right now, then we use the Present Continuous (Present Progressive) form. But this is not the only case of using this temporary form. But more on that later. Let's answer the question first - How is Present Progressive (Continuous) formed?
Education Present Continuous: elementary rules and examples
The Present Progressive is formed quite simply: we take the verb to be, put it in the form corresponding to the subject (we change it in accordance with the subject - I am, he is, my mother is and so on) and add the verb corresponding to the specific action (in question) with the ending ing, which is "attached" to its base.
Too difficult? Let's look at a diagram illustrating this process.
Still unclear? Okay, let's look at examples. To do this, take the verb to think- think. Since it ends in a consonant, then adding ing will not discard anything, that is, we get - thinking. If we want to say "I'm thinking" (about something at the moment), then we get - I am thinking. Now with other faces:
The negative and interrogative forms are formed very simply:
| Interrogative form | negative form |
| Am I think ing? - I think? | I am don't think ing. - I do not think (I'm not thinking.) |
| Are you think ing? - You think? | You are don't think ing. - You do not think. (You aren't thinking.) |
| Is he think ing? - He thinks? | He is don't think ing. He doesn't think. (He isn't thinking.) |
| Is she think ing? - She thinks? | She is don't think ing. She doesn't think. (She isn't thinking.) |
| Is it think ing? Does it think? | It is don't think ing. It doesn't think. (It isn't thinking.) |
| Are we think ing? - We think? | We are don't think ing. We don't think. (We're not thinking.) |
| Are they thinki ng? - They think? | They are don't think ing. They don't think. (They aren't thinking.) |
Rules for using Present Continuous and examples
The formation of the Present Continuous form is quite simple. The most difficult - correct usage this form. The bottom line is that there are several cases when it is necessary to use the Present Continuous tense, and not any other tense. Briefly, all these cases are indicated using the diagram:
This scheme is not yet completely clear to us, but it will be useful in order to quickly recall the main uses of the present progressive.
So, Present Continuous is used:
1. Designation of what is happening or not happening now, at the moment (now, at the moment).
- I'm studying the present continuous . - I study the present for a long time.
- I'm not watching TV at the moment. — I am not watching TV at the moment.
- I'm sitting now.- Now I'm sitting.
- I'm using the Internet. — I use the Internet.
- We're talking about life. We are talking about life.
- She's not listening to me. She doesn't listen to me (now).
2. Designation of what is happening now in the broadest sense of the word - today, this month, this year, and so on. Temporary situations that we feel or know will not last.
- I am studying to become a teacher. — I study to be a teacher (for example, 5 years).
- Are you working on any special projects at work? Are you (now) working on some work project?
- I'm living in Moscow for a few months. — I have been living in Moscow for several months.
- I'm reading a great book. I am reading a wonderful book (Now, these days. Reading a book is a long process).
- He's living with his mother until he finds an apartment. He lives with his mother until he finds an apartment.
3. Recent or temporary habits that have not always existed.
- My father is smoking too much . (He used to smoke less or not at all.)
- My cat's eating a lot these days . (She didn't eat that much before.)
4. Repetitive, annoying actions, habits using always, constantly, forever:
- I don't like him because he is always complaining.
- They're forever being late.
- My sister is always losing her keys.
5. Plans for the near future
- I'm leaving at 5 am. — I leave at 5 am.
- Are you visiting your parents next weekend? Will you visit your parents next weekend?
- I am not going to the party tonight. - I'm not going to the party tonight.
6. Changing the situation (usually slow) - little by little, gradually etc.
- My son is getting better at playing the guitar.
- The weather is improving.
These were all the rules for the formation and use of the present continuous (the present progressive).
Present Continuous Tense (or Present Progressive Tense) is translated from English as "real long time". In English speech, it is used on a par with Present Simple, with the same frequency, and occupies an important place in grammar.
When Present Continuous is used - when it is required to emphasize the duration of the action in the present. The limits of "duration" can be different: the action can continue indefinitely or take a certain period of time - all these are cases of using Present Continuous.
Present Continuous - the formation of sentences of different types
Statement
According to the rules of the English language, any sentence is built in a certain order. In affirmative sentences, the subject takes the first place, the predicate - the second. In Present Continuous, the predicate is made up of the auxiliary verb to be and the main (semantic) verb that expresses the action. To be takes the correct form (am, is, are) depending on the subject, and the main verb takes on the ending -ing.
- Formula: I am + verb-ing Example: I am singing - I sing.
- Formula: He/She/It is + verb-ing Examples: He is smiling - He smiles. She is dancing - She is dancing. It is shining - It shines.
- Formula: We/You/They are + verb-ing Examples: We are listening - We are listening. You are reading - You are reading. They are swimming - They swim.
Adding to the verb ending -ing - general rule. However, adding an ending can transform the stem of some verbs when forming the Present Continuous.
- Verb ends in -e Rule: the last letter is discarded Example: make - making (to do)
- Verb ends in -ie Rule: -ie is replaced by -y Example: lie - lying
- One-syllable verb ending in a vowel followed by a consonant Rule: the last consonant is doubled Example: get - getting (to receive)
Negation
When the Present Continuous is used in negative sentences, the auxiliary and main verbs are separated by not.
- Formula: I am not + verb-ing Example: I am not singing - I don't sing.
- Formula: He/She/It is not + verb-ing Examples: He is not smiling - He does not smile. She is not dancing - She does not dance. It is not shining - It does not shine.
- Formula: We/You/They are not + verb-ing Examples: We are not listening - We are not listening. You are not reading - You are not reading. They are not swimming - They do not swim.
Question
In cases of using Present Continuous in interrogative sentences, the auxiliary verb takes the first place, followed by the subject and then the main verb.
- Formula: Am I + verb-ing Example: Am I singing? - I sing?
- Formula: Is He/She/It + Verb-ing Examples: Is he smiling? - He smiles? She is dancing? - She is dancing? Is it shining? - Does it shine?
- Formula: Are We/You/They + Verb-ing Examples: Are we listening? - We are listening? Are you reading? - You read? Are they swimming? - They are swimming?
Present Continuous - use in typical cases
1. The action is happening right now, at the moment of speaking. You can also use the Present construct.
Continuous for several actions occurring simultaneously in the present. Marker words: now (now), at the moment (at the moment).
Example: She is eating apple while I am drinking juice - She is eating an apple while I am drinking juice. (two actions happening at the same time)
2. The action is extended in time and takes place in the present, but is not limited to the present second. It started some time ago and will continue for some time. During this period of time, the indicated action is performed.
Marker words: now (now), currently (now, now), these days (These days, one of these days).
Example: We are moving into a new house - We are moving to a new house. (We are busy with the process of moving and will continue it, but at the time of speaking we are not specifically engaged in this, we are just in a state of moving)
3. The situation is temporary.
Marker words: until (not yet), for (during), during (during).
Example: He is staying in New York for three months - He has been living in New York for three months. (in three months, for some reason, he will leave New York, his stay in this city will end; this situation is temporary, he permanently lives, for example, in Moscow, and is in New York for work or in connection with study)
4. The action is developing or constantly changing, the sentence often contains certain verbs to denote it. The description of the process of change is a case of using the Present Continuous. Marker words: get (become), change (change), rise (rise), fall (fall), grow (grow), become (become), start (begin), improve (improve), begin (begin). Example: Your English is getting better - Your English is getting better. (there is a gradual increase in your level of English)
Special Uses of the Present Continuous Construction
1. The case is planned and will certainly be done in the near future, often with a date, place, or some other details.
Marker words: this / next week (this / next week), tonight (evening), today (today), tomorrow (tomorrow), this / next year (this / next year), this / next weekend (this /next weekend).
Example: Next week we are buying a new car - Next week we are buying a new car. (we have not just decided, but have already chosen the brand of the car and the car dealership where the purchase will be made)
2. We are talking about an action in the present that affects the near future with the use of verbs denoting movement.
Marker words: go (go), move (move), leave (leave), start (start), come (come), return (return).
Example: I'm tired. I am going to bed. - I'm tired. I am going to sleep. (Right now I'm feeling tired and I'll go to bed right after I report this)
3. Speech is emotionally colored, the speaker is dissatisfied, annoyed or outraged by something that constantly happens.
Marker words: all the time (all the time), always (always), constantly (constantly)
Example: You are always interrupting me! - You keep interrupting me! (you do it all the time and it annoys me)
4. Present Continuous - cases of use with state verbs.
According to the rules, such verbs in English are not used in the present tense, since they denote feelings, mental processes that have no time limits - these verbs express a state rather than an action.
However, if the meaning of such a verb you need is a specific action that has a beginning and an end, then the phrase can be built according to the Present Continuous formula.
Marker words: to love (to love), to feel (to feel), to wish (to wish), to think (to think), to see (to see), to look (to look), to smell (to smell), to have (to have ) and others
Examples: The steak tastes good. - This steak tastes great. (the steak cooked according to this recipe is always delicious) The chef is tasting the steak. - The chef is tasting the steak. (he is doing it at the moment)
The use of Present Continuous in difficult cases
1. It's about something new versus the old.
Example: He has left university, now he is working with his friend - He left the university and is now working with his friend.
2. We are talking about the unusual behavior of a certain person, he suddenly began to behave differently than before.
Example: She is eating too much - She eats too much. (before that, she did not have such a good appetite)
3. Present Continuous is used in subordinate clauses time after unions. The sentence refers to two actions, one of which is single or “short” (Present Simple), the second is long (Present Continuous). For an action that occurs “in the background”, use Present Continuous, and for an event interrupting it, use Present Simple.
Marker words: as long as (while), when (when), in case (if), if (if), while (while), unless (not yet).
Example: I try not to make noise in case my daughter is reading her book - I try not to make noise when my daughter is reading.
Here you can take a lesson on the topic: Present Continuous in English. Present continuous tense.
In this lesson, we will get acquainted with another commonly used tense in English called Present Continuous(Present continuous). The Present Continuous is usually used for naming actions currently taking place. Additionally, this time can be characterized as unfinished and visual.
English verbs take on a special form to express the present continuous tense, namely the verb to be in the appropriate form is combined with a verb ending in the suffix -ing (Ving). Thus, the verb formula in Present Continuous is as follows: to be + Ving. For example:
He is watching football on TV. - He watches football on TV. (action is happening at the moment)
To better understand what verbs look like in Present Continuous, consider the conjugation of the verb work (to work) using personal pronouns as an example:
I am working (I "m working) - I work
you are working (you "re working) - you work / you work
he is working (he "s working) - he works
she is working (she "s working) - she works
it is working (it "s working) - he / she works (inanimate)
we are working (we "re working) - we are working
they are working (they "re working) - they work
As can be seen from the conjugation, there are also abbreviated forms. Moreover, they are preferable.
An interesting feature of verbs with the ending -ing is their pronunciation. As a rule, the last letter (g) in the ending is not read, and a deep nasal sound /ŋ/ is obtained. For example:
dancing /"da:nsiŋ/
singing /"siŋiŋ/ (particularly difficult to pronounce because of the double nasal sound)
reading /"ri:diŋ/
listening /"lisəniŋ/
writing /"raitiŋ/
There are also several spelling rules verbs to which the ending -ing is added:
1. So, for example, for verbs ending in the letter -e, when adding the ending -ing, the letter -e disappears. For example:
change - changing (change - changes)
arrive - arriving (arrive - arrives)
dance - dancing (dance - dancing)
2. In monosyllabic verbs ending in one vowel and one consonant, when adding suffix -ing the consonant is doubled. For example:
swim - swimming (swim - swims)
run - running (run - runs)
sit - sitting (sit - sit)
3. If the verb ends with a combination of letters -ie, then when adding the ending -ing, this combination is replaced by the letter - y. For example:
lie - lying (lie - lies)
die - dying (to die - dies)
tie - tying (tie - tie)
There is a category of verbs to which ending -ing is not added. These verbs are called static verbs. These primarily include verbs of all feelings (for example: like, love, hate, smell, see, hear, etc.), verbs of thought processes (for example: think, know, understand, believe, etc. .), and all modal verbs.
I. As already noted, the Present Continuous is closely connected with the present, namely with actions at the moment. For this reason, very often in sentences expressed in the present continuous tense there are marker words: now, at the moment. Let's look at an example:
I am reading a book now. - I am reading a book now.
They are fishing now. - They are fishing now.
Claude is watching a cartoon at the moment. - Claude is watching a cartoon at the moment.
Looking at the examples, we can conclude that in affirmative proposals in Present Continuous time are of great importance subject and modified predicate, and the circumstance (now, at the moment) and the object, depending on the context, may be omitted. As a rule, even without the words now or at the moment, the formula to be + Ving in a sentence means that the action is happening right now. Let's look at a few more examples:
The baby "s (is) crying. - The child is crying (now, at the moment).
They "re having a party. - They are having a party (now, at the moment).
The dogs are barking. - Dogs are barking (now, at the moment).
She "s playing the violin. - She plays the violin (now, at the moment).
They "re moving furniture. - They move (rearrange) furniture (now, at the moment).
II. Negative sentences in Present Continuous time are formed by adding the particle "not" to the verb to be in the appropriate form. Consider the example of conjugation of the verb talk (to speak) with personal pronouns:
I am not talking (I "m not talking) - I don't speak
you are not talking (you aren "t talking) - you don't talk / you don't talk
he is not talking (he isn "t talking) - he does not speak
she is not talking (he isn "t talking) - she does not speak
it is not talking (it isn "t talking) - he / she does not speak (inanimate; can also apply to babies, and any animals)
we are not talking (we aren't talking) - we don't talk
they are not talking (they aren't talking) - they don't talk
The examples show that abbreviations are also possible. In most cases, they are preferred. Let's take a look at some suggestions:
He isn't watching football, he's reading a magazine. He doesn't watch football, he reads a magazine.
They aren't eating cookies, they're eating ice-cream. They don't eat cookies, they eat ice cream.
The baby isn "t crying, it is sleeping. - The baby is not crying, he is sleeping.
III. AT interrogative sentences in the Present Continuous time, the verb to be is brought forward and the following word order is obtained:
To be - Subject - Ving - (Object) - (Adverbial modifier - now, at the moment)?
Let's look at a few examples:
Are you looking at the tower? Are you looking at the tower?
Is he listening to the radio now? - Is he listening to the radio now?
Are the dogs barking? - Are the dogs barking?
Are you laughing? - You're laughing?
Is she writing a letter at the moment? - Is she writing a letter at the moment?
These examples relate to general questions and require short answers: yes or no. And short answers in Present Continuous repeat the verb to be in the question. For example:
Is he watching a film at the moment? -Yes, he is. -No, he isn't. - Is he watching TV at the moment? -Yes. -No.
Are Jill and Erica arguing now? - Yes, they are. -No, they aren't. - Are Jill and Erica fighting now? -Yes. -No.
For education special issues in Present Continuous, you need to use a question word before the verb to be (who, what, where, etc.) For example:
What are you doing now? - What are you doing now?
Where is she going? - Where is she going?
Who are they looking for? - Who are you looking for?
Why are they crying? - Why are they crying?
Thus, we have considered the basic rules of education different types sentences in the present continuous tense, as well as some stylistic and phonetic features of this tense. For practice, it is recommended to build as many sentences as possible about the actions taking place around you at the moment, and this will be a good language exercise.