The Present Continuous in Use

№п/п

Meaning

Example

Present Action

1.

An action going on

At the present moment

( occasion. + now, at  present )

1) I think he is talking to his mother now.                               2) Is anything new happening?   3) I’ m not watching TV. You can turn it off. 2.

An action going on

At the present period

( occasion. + indications of the present period like this year, etc. )

           1) I stay indoors most of the time. I’ m catching up with my studies. 2) What are you doing in Geneva? Are you  writing a play?” 3) She isn’t working this year. She’s on her maternity leave. 3.

an action generally characterizing the person denoted by the subject, bringing out the person’s typical traits

(emotionally coloured characteristic)(+ always, constantly)

1) People are always blaming the circumstances for what they are. 2) She is c onstantly complaining about everything in life. She is just unbearable.

Future action

4.

future action which is certain to take place due to one’s previous decision / personal arrangement (+ indication of the future time)

                             1) I’ m flying early tomorrow morning. 2) Are you dining out with them tonight?

The Present Continuous can be used with stative verbs when…

5.

Stative verbs change their meaning

to see=1) to meet,        2) to see off 1)  Is he seeing (= meeting) his new client in the afternoon? 2)  I’ m seeing (= seeing off) her to the station tonight. to think / to consider = to think over (обдумывать, размышлять над…) 1) I’ m thinking of buying a new car now.                       2) I’ m seriously considering his offer at the moment. to hear = to discuss in the court This notorious case is being heard again now. to taste = to try the taste of (пробовать) He is tasting the soup, as he doesn’t want to put too much salt into it. to smell = to feel the smell of (нюхать) Look at him! He is smelling all the flowers here! to be = to behave Don’t pay attention to him! He is just being silly (=is behaving silly now) to have as a part of a set phrase (to have dinner (to have = to eat), to have shower (to have = to wash),   to have a party (to have = to enjoy oneself)                  1) Mr. Franklin can’t answer the phone now. He is having a bath.                      2) Are they having a party tonight? 6.

great intensity of feeling is expressed

(usu. with stative verbs of emotions

occasion. with stative verbs of wish and physical perception)

      1) I’ m loving it! (McDonald’s) (= love it very much) (verb of emotions)  2) I see you are scared! You are wishing I hadn’t done it! (verb of wish) 3) I miss her so much, I even think I’ m hearing her! (verb of physical perception)

Note: The Present Continuous in the meaning of an action going on at the present moment / period is synonymous to the phrase to be busy doing smth.

e.g. Father is cutting (= is busy cutting) the grass in the garden (an action in progress at the present moment).

e.g. Nigel is getting himself (= is busy getting himself) into the parliament (an action in progress at the present period).

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Table 5

Stative Verbs that are used in the Present Indefinite or the Present Continuous forms depending on their meaning

№

П/п

Verb

The Present Indefinite

The Present Continuous

Meaning Example Meaning Example

1.

To see

 

To perceive with eyes

(видеть)

 

I see you quite well now.

to meet (встречать (ся)) I’ m seeing her tomorrow morning. (future meaning) to see off (провожать) We are seeing them to the airport   in the afternoon. (future meaning) 2. to think to consider to have a certain opinion of (считать, полагать) 1) I think you are absolutely right. 2) I consider this article must be published in the scientific journal. to think over (обдумывать что-то, размышлять над чем-то) 1) I’ m thinking of selling my old house and buying a new flat. 2) I’ m seriously considering this idea of moving to the countryside. 3. to hear to perceive with ears (слышать) I hear you quite well despite this terrible noise. to discuss (the case) in the court (слушать (дело) в суде) They are hearing this divorce case now. (future meaning) 4. to taste to have a certain taste (быть на вкус) This sauce tastes (= is) awful! What did you put into it? to try the taste of (пробовать) She is tasting the sauce not to make it too spicy. 5. to smell to have a certain smell (пахнуть) This perfume smells (= is) so wonderful. Can you give it to me for my birthday? to feel the smell of (нюхать)  - Where is she? - She is smelling perfumes over there! 6. to look to have certain looks (выглядеть опред.образом) You look so glamorous! Is it a new haircut? to use one’s eyes in order to see smth. (смотреть) Why are you looking at me like that? 7. to be to exist (быть) He is a very obedient boy. (permanent characteristic) to behave (вести себя) He is being so naughty today! What’s happened? (temporary characteristic) 8. to have to possess (иметь, владеть)   My father has three cars at the moment. a part of a set phrase, e.g. to have breakfast/ lunch/ dinner/ coffee (= to eat, to drink) – завтракать, обедать, ужинать, пить кофе to have a bath/ a shower (=to wash) – принимать ванну/ душ   to have a problem/ a trouble (= to experience) – испытывать затруднения 1) The boss is not in the office now. He is having l unch in the restaurant.    2) Don’t call him. He won’t hear you. He is having a bath.   3) -Why is he so sad? -He is having some family problems at the moment.

 

                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Table 6