As they say, not one head was "broken" when it came to the topic "Times in English language". Why are they so difficult for our perception? Or are there simply too many of them, and they throw newbies into shock? Let's take a brief look at the features of their use in speech and try to remove some of the difficulties.
The main fact that baffles beginners to learn the official language of Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia and some other countries is the number of tenses in grammar. So how many tenses are there in English? Only 16. Many wonder why so many; after all, there are only 3 of them in Russian, and we get along just fine with them. In fact, each group has a logical explanation, and is used depending on the context, so you need to pay special attention to the environment of the sentence (with the verb of interest) and the meaning of the statement.
Group Times Simple (Indefinite)
The so-called "simple" ("indefinite") forms are used to denote well-known facts or actions that occur with a certain frequency.
Present Simple (Indefinite)
For the speaker, the action is important in itself: it is textbook, unique, or repeated repeatedly.
I drink coffee every morning. – I drink coffee every morning.
The days are short in winter. - The days are short in winter.
Past Simple (Indefinite)
Here the action happened in the past and there is an indication of time. For the speaker, this plays a big role.
My brother went to the theater last month. My brother went to the theater last month.
Yesterday the weather was wonderful. - The weather was wonderful yesterday.
Future Simple (Indefinite)
The speaker is referring to an action that will take place in the future. The idea of an upcoming event comes to mind at the moment of speech. Here we propose to do something, we agree with something, we promise something.
There is no milk in the fridge. I shall (will) go and buy some. – There is no milk in the fridge. I will go and buy some.
I think my mother will work next Saturday. I think mom will work next Saturday.
About how verb forms and tenses are formed in English is clearly shown in the final table towards the end of the article.
Group Times Progressive (Continuous)
"Long" forms are used to indicate an action in a process.
Present Progressive (Continuous)
The present continuous tense denotes actions taking place at the moment of speech, or in parallel with it.
They are walking together now. Now they are walking together.
(Talking over the phone) What are you doing now? – I am training to take part in the competition. (Talking on the phone) What are you doing now? - I'm training for a competition.
present progressive used to indicate a future action if it is planned in advance.
I am going to India in ten days. In 10 days I will go to India. (I decided in advance, not at the moment of speech).
Past Progressive (Continuous)
The action takes place at a certain moment in the past, its “procedurality” is important.
I was feeding my cat at 6 p.m. yesterday. Yesterday at 6 pm I was feeding my cat.
Tommy was eating when my brother arrived. Tommy was eating when my brother arrived.
Future Progressive (Continuous)
The action takes place at a certain moment in the future, its duration is also important here.
I shall (will) be watching TV from 9.00 till 9.30 tomorrow. Tomorrow I will watch TV from 9 to 9.30.
NB! Remember that Progressive tenses in English necessarily imply a process. Verbs denoting sensations (to hear - hear, to see - see, to feel - feel), relationships (to like - like, to hate - hate, to prefer - prefer), etc. rarely used at this time.
The "perfect" forms of the verb denote actions that have ended by a certain moment. Here the result of such actions is important.
Present Perfect
Action in the past is connected to the present moment. The specific time doesn't matter.
My breakfast has been rather saturated this morning. “I had a good breakfast this morning. (And at the time of speech, for example, noon).
past perfect
The action was completed by a certain point in the past.
I had finished my breakfast before my brother phoned me. I had finished breakfast before my brother called me.
Future Perfect
The action will be completed at a certain point in the future.
I shall (will) have already cooked breakfast by 8 a.m. tomorrow. I will have cooked breakfast by 8 am tomorrow.
Jane will have eaten her breakfast by the moment her brother will arrive tomorrow. Jane will have had breakfast tomorrow by the time her brother arrives.
NB! We emphasize once again that when choosing the times Perfect bands efficiency plays a big role.
Group Times Perfect Progressive (Perfect Continuous)
This "perfectly long" group of tenses is the most difficult in terms of grammatical construction. Its meaning is in the process of action, which ultimately has an important result.
Present Perfect Progressive (Present Perfect Continuous)
The speaker means an action that started in the past and has just ended or is still going on.
I have been eating this porridge for half an hour. I ate this porridge for half an hour. (The action has just ended.)
They have been painting the house since 11 o'clock. They have been painting the house since 11 o’clock. (And still continue to do so.)
Past Perfect Progressive (Past Perfect Continuous)
The action lasted some period in the past and ended at a certain moment in the past.
My little daughter had been eating soup for about twenty minutes before her brother came into the kitchen. My little daughter had been eating soup for about 20 minutes before her brother entered the kitchen.
How long had you been listening to the radio before I turned it off? How long were you listening to the radio before I turned it off?
Future Perfect Progressive (Future Perfect Continuous)
The action, as a rule, has already begun or will begin a little later, but will certainly end by a certain moment in the future or will last for some significant time for the speaker.
Tommy will have been eating the soup for 10 minutes by the time his brother returned from school. Tommy will have been eating soup for 10 minutes by the time his brother comes back from school.
NB! Both the duration of what is happening and the final result play an important role here.
Scheme of formation of verb forms and time markers in English
With the help of special words (markers) you can "calculate" what time it is. Having learned them, you will be able to easily find the correct use of forms and determine the tenses of verbs in exercises or dialogues in English.
Times of Future-in-the-Past
The last group of tenses is practically not used in colloquial speech. However, it should also be studied for recognition in writing. These forms mean considering future actions from the point of view of the past moment.
- I hoped I would win the game. I was hoping to win that game. (Future Simple-in-the-Past)
- She said that she would be watching a film at 7 p.m. yesterday. She said that she would be watching a movie tomorrow at 7 pm. (Future Progressive-in-the-Past)
- My brother told me that he would have finished cleaning the room by the midday. My brother told me that he would finish cleaning the room by noon. ( Future Perfect-in-the-Past)
- My mother said she would have been working at the factory for 25 years next July. My mother said that next July she will be 25 years old as a factory worker. (Future Perfect Progressive-in-the-Past)
Practice and English will not seem ultra difficult, and another funny table with examples will illustrate the times well:
Some useful tips:
- Pay particular attention to the context and environment of the verb form being discussed, marker words, and other clues.
- When answering a question, focus on the "given", determine the time, and then formulate the answer.
- learn the right and Irregular Verbs so as not to make a mistake in writing the verb form.
- As part of complex sentences consider simple components in relation to the sequence of actions, and also take into account such a phenomenon as the coordination of tenses in English.
That's all the basic rules. We hope that now it will be easier for you to master the grammatical variety of foreign speech. And good luck with your future English studies!
About 12 times in brief:
Education
formed with an 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 an ongoing, unfinished action occurring at the moment of speech. The moment of speech can be expressed by the following adverbs or phrases: now, at the present, at the moment etc., or it may be clear from the context:
What's that smell? Something's burning. - What is that smell? Something is on fire.
Why are you wearing that funny hat? Why are you wearing that funny hat?
2. This tense also expresses long-term action taking place in the present period, not necessarily at the time of speech.
Please don "t take that book. Anna" s reading it. - Please don't take this book. Anna is reading 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. writes a book.
3. In addition, this time is used to express a future long-term action (instead of Future Continuous) in circumstantial subordinate clauses conditions and times that are introduced by unions if, when, while and others (see pp. 231-232):
I "ll be reading the newspaper while you are writing your exercises. - I will read the newspaper while you write the exercises.
4. Note that in emotionally colored 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 is already planned at the time of speech and will occur in the near future. In this meaning The Present Continuous used with verbs of motion or action (activity and motion): to see, to meet, to go, to come, to leave, to start etc. and usually with a tense 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 leave 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 new job on the next week.
To express the intention to perform an action or confidence in its commission 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 "I'm going, I intend, I intend":
He is going to spend his summer vacation in the Crimea. - He is going to spend his summer holidays in the Crimea.
If the sentence refers to the intention expressed by the verbs to go or to some, design to be going to do sth is replaced Present Continuous (Progressive) corresponding verbs:
He is going (coming) there (here). - He is going to go (come) there (here).
The sky is clearing up; the rain is going to stop in a minute. - The sky is clearing up; the rain will stop in a minute.
Some verbs cannot take 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, p. 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 to play football.
They love listening to music. - They like to listen to music.
I hate getting up early in the morning. - I can't stand 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, feeling ( to see, fo smell, to taste, to hear, to touch). They are usually used with modal verb can: can see, can smell, can hear, can taste, can feel:
I can smell something burning. - I feel something is on fire.
Can you see Peter? - Do you see Peter?
What "s that noise? Can you hear it? - What is this noise? Do you hear it?
This food tastes good. - This food is delicious.
possession verbs: 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. - It's 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. - The newspaper costs about 20 pence.
I need a bath. - I need to take a bath.
Be careful! That bottle contains poison. - Carefully! There is 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.
but 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 am thinking about the letter I received this morning.
to have Continuous (Progressive).
When specifying an action in the form Continuous (Progressive) used to have+ noun:
John's having a bath. - John takes 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 vacation photos.
Don "t turn the music off. I" m listening to it. - Don't turn off the music. I'm listening to.
to see used in the form Continuous (Progressive) in the meaning of "visit", "inspect", "watch a movie":
We are seeing a film. - We are watching a movie.
to hear used in Continuous (Progressive) in the meanings of "listen", "attend (lectures)", etc.:
I "m hearing your voice. - I'm listening 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.
Brief affirmative answers cannot be abbreviated.
Right answers:
Yes, I am; Yes, she is.
I'm liking Indian food.
Some verbs have no forms continuous so it's correct to say:
I like Indian food.
I "m having black hair.
Verb to have in the meaning of "possess" has no form continuous:
I have (have got) black hair.
Present continuous tense ( Present Continuous) is formed according to the scheme: to be + present participle of the semantic verb
to be + verb ending ing
Examples:
It is important to understand the difference between simple present and simple continuous.
simple present tense describes habitual actions in the present. Present continuous tense describes actions that occur at the moment of speech or in the period to which this moment refers.
Compare:
Questions with present continuous tense in English.
1. Interrogative sentences requiring a simple yes/no answer.
In questions subject and verb to be change places. Present participle (ing form) costs after the verb to be and the subject.
Scheme:
to be + subject + verb ending in ing
Examples:
| Are you painting the house? | Are you painting the house? |
| Is he going to the hardware store? | Is he going to the hardware store? |
| Is it raining? | It's raining? |
Answers can be detailed and short.
2. The use of question words.
The word order in such questions is the same as in simple questions of the previous type. question word put before auxiliary and main verbs:
Wh...+to be+subject+verb with ending ing
Examples:
If the question is why (why), in the answer use the word because (because).
Examples:
If the answer is short, then it includes only the second part of the sentence (beginning with the words "because").
Examples:
Negative with present continuous tense
Negative in present continuous tense formed like this: add to the form of the verb to be particle not.
Here you need to remember short forms: am not = ain't; is not = isn't; are not = aren't.
Example:
She is not working at the moment. She is not working now.
Spelling forms of the present continuous tense.
Typically for education present participles add at the end of the verb ing.
Examples:
| work (work) + ing = working (working) |
| paint (paint) + ing = painting (painting) |
| I work in Chicago. | I "m working in Chicago this year. |
| I work in Chicago. | I'm working in Chicago this year. |
| I paint the house every summer. | I "m painting the house right now. |
| I paint my house every year. | I'm painting the house now. |
There are other cases of the formation of the present participle:
1. If the infinitive ends with "e" and the previous consonant, then when forming participles, "e" is replaced by "ing".
Examples:
imagine imagine imagining imagining
write write writing writing
An exception: verbs that end in ee.
For example:
free flee freeing fleeing
2. In single-syllable verbs that end in a consonant preceded by a vowel, double the consonant before the ending "ing".
Examples:
run run away running running
get receive getting receiving
An exception: consonants are not doubled: x, w, y.
Examples: to fix, to play
| I'm fixing the sink. | I'm fixing the kitchen sink. |
| The cats are playing. | The cats are playing. |
3. Verbs of two syllables in which the stress falls on the last double the final vowel before the ending "ing".
Examples:
begin start off beginning beginning
4. If the verb ends with "ie", this ending is replaced with "y", then "ing" is added.
die die dying dying
lie lie lying lying
Use of the present continuous tense.
1. Action taking place at the moment of speech.
Examples:
| I "m painting the kitchen. | I'm painting the kitchen. |
| My husband is helping me. | My husband helps me. |
2. An action covering a certain period of time in the present.
Example:
Nelly is studying at University. Nelly is studying at the university.
3. Emotionally colored characteristic of the face. Usually it's negative.
Example:
She is constantly talking about money. She talks about money all the time.
4. A pre-planned action that will take place in the near future.
Used with verbs of motion: move, come, go, leave, return, start.
Examples:
The show is starting soon. The show starts soon.
Are you moving to the new flat? Are you moving to a new apartment?
5. An action in a process that occurs simultaneously with another action (in the simple past tense). This time is used in subordinate clauses of time and condition after conjunctions: when, while, aslong as, if, in case, unless.
Example:
David always talks when he is eating. David always talks when he eats.
Present continuous tense (Present Progressive Tense) is the present continuous tense. In speech, it occurs as often as in present simple . The main thing to know about Present Continuous, - this time shows the duration of the action in the present. Duration can manifest itself in different ways: the action can last for a short time, or it can take a long period of time. At Present Continuous there are many functions, so this time occupies an important place in the grammar of the English language.
How is Present Continuous Tense Formed?
Statement
As in any English sentence, the subject comes first and the verb comes second. Predicate in Present Continuous consists of an auxiliary verb to be and main verb. to be in Present Continuous changes, so we need to remember its forms: am, is, are. The main verb has a particle to and the ending appears ing.
By general rule we add to the verb - ing. But with some verbs, slight transformations occur with the advent of this ending, for example:
- e
, leaving the final vowel: com e
– com ing
(come),
Mak e – Mak ing (do), write e – write ing (write). - For verbs ending in - ie , vowels - ie are replaced by - y : l ie –l ying (lie), t ie – t ying (tie up) d ie – d ying (die).
- If a short verb ends in a vowel with a consonant, then that consonant is doubled:
swi m – swi mm ing(to swim), sto p – sto pp ing(stop), ge t – ge tt ing(receive).
Negation
A negative sentence differs from an affirmative one only in that a particle appears between the auxiliary verb and the main verb not. That is, the predicate looks like this: first to be, after it the particle not and then the main verb.
Question
To ask a question in Present Continuous, we take out to be in first place, then put the subject and after it the main verb.
For your convenience, we have divided the time functions Present Continuous into 3 groups: entry-level material (green frame), intermediate level (yellow) and high-level (red). If you are just starting to study this topic, then it will be enough for you to know the functions of the green box, since these are the basic rules for Present Continuous. If you need more advanced grammar, then study the yellow table. And for the most sophisticated English connoisseurs, the rules from the red table are suitable.
Using Present Continuous
First level
- Present Continuous illustrates an action that is happening now, at the moment of speech. There may be clarifying words here: now(now), at the moment(Currently). Also, we can use this time for two actions that occur simultaneously in the present.
– What is he doing now? – What is he is doing now?
– He is talking to his friend. - He is talking with a friend. (at the moment he is standing and talking to a friend)She is eating chocolate ice cream while I am drinking water. - She eats chocolate ice cream while i drink water
- Present Continuous is used when the action takes place in the present, but not at a specific moment of speech. In this case, we want to show that the action is extended in time: it could have started yesterday or two days ago, but now it continues and will continue for some time. Throughout this long period of time, we periodically perform this action.
I am reading an interesting book. - I I read interesting book. (I started reading it before the speech and will read it for some time, but right now I'm not busy reading)
We are moving into a new house. - We moving to a new house. (we have begun to collect and transport things, but we are not busy with this activity at the moment of speech)
In this function, we may encounter words such as now(now), these days(these days, these days) currently(now, now).
This play is currently running at the theatre. - This play goes now in the theatre.
- We want to show that the situation is temporary, that is, we know, suspect or feel that the action will not last long. In such cases, there are words that specify the time period, such as for(during), during(during), until(not yet).
He is staying in New York for three months. - He remains in New York on the three months. (in three months his stay will end and he will return home)
He is working as a waiter until he finds a better job. - He working waiter till won't find a better job. (he temporarily works as a waiter)
- We are talking about an action that is slowly developing or changing. Such an action can show the words get(become), change(change), become(become), rise(get up), fall(fall), grow(grow), improve(improve), begin(start off), start(start off).
Your English is getting better. – Your English becomes better. (English didn't get better overnight, but gradually it improves)
The weather is improving. – Weather getting better. (the weather was bad for a while, now it's getting better)
When else is the Present Continuous used?
Average level
- When we talk about a planned action that we will take in the near future. We use Present Continuous only with those actions that have already firmly decided to perform.
Here you can use the words: this/next week(this/next week) this/next weekend(this/next weekend) this/next year(this/next year) today(in the evening), today(today), tomorrow(tomorrow).
next week we are buying a new car. - Next week we buy new car. (we firmly decided to buy a car, we have already chosen a model and a store where we will buy it)
I am having a business meeting tomorrow. - I have a business meeting tomorrow. (the meeting has already been scheduled and will definitely take place)
- When we talk about the near future using verbs of motion such as go(go), leave(leave), come(come), move(move), return(come back), start(start off).
I'm tired. I am going to bed. - I'm tired. I I'm going sleep. (I felt tired, so I decided to go to sleep)
This film is too boring. I am leaving. This movie is too boring I'm leaving. (I don’t like the film, so I leave the session without waiting for the end)
- When we want to show discontent, indignation, irritation. In these cases, we use the words always(always), constantly(constantly), all the time(all the time) to show that the person regularly does things we don't like.
You are always interrupting me! - You constantly me interrupting! (I really don't like it)
He is coming late all the time! - He late all the time! (the speaker is unhappy with this)
- Present continuous tense with state verbs.
Usually, the present continuous tense in English is not used with state verbs ( state verbs or state verbs). - these are verbs that convey the state of a person: his feelings, relationships, mental processes. These verbs denote actions, but these actions take place inside our consciousness, and we cannot watch how they proceed ( to feel- feel, to think- think, to love- be in love, to wish- wish to need- to need). Therefore, we cannot use them in tenses continuous, since this aspect shows the duration.
However, there are a few cases where state verbs used with Present Continuous. This happens when the verb has several meanings and one of them shows action, and also when we want to show that the situation is temporary.
The steak tastes good. This steak tastes great. (steak is always so delicious)
The chef is tasting the steak. - Cook tries steak to taste. (he is trying it now)
Difficult cases of using Present Continuous
High level
- Present Continuous used when we are talking about something new, especially if this new is opposed to something old.
He has left university, now he is working with his friend. He dropped out of university and now working With my friend.
These days most people are spending time in front of computer screens instead of reading books. - Most people today holds time at the computer instead of reading books.
- Present Continuous used when we are talking about unusual behavior. We want to show that a person does something that is not characteristic of him, behaves differently than usual.
She is eating too much these days. – She is too much is eating Last few days. (she didn't eat that much before)
He is being nervous recently. - He became nervous lately. (he has always been calm, but recently his behavior has changed)
- Present Continuous occurs in subordinate clauses of time after conjunctions when(when), if(if), unless(not yet) in case(if), as long as(till), while(while). In such sentences there is a long action that stands in Present Continuous, and the singular, which is expressed present simple. Usually these sentences show familiar situations where a single action takes place against the backdrop of a long one.
I try not to make noise in case my daughter is doing her homework. - I try not to make noise when, if my daughter does homework.
I never talk on the phone when I am eating. - I never talk on the phone when I eat.
Present Continuous- one of the most favorite times of the British. As you can see, in English Present Continuous used in many situations, which means that it often occurs in speech. To better remember how to use Present Continuous, we recommend taking the following test and downloading our plate.
(*.pdf, 186 Kb)
Test
Use of Present Continuous