IV Past Actions

1) In narration of past events, so as to make them sound more vivid and closer to the reader/hearer (“historical present”). King Arthur mounts his horse and gallops into battle.

2) In speaking of an author’s writings:

Shakespeare uses a large number of metaphors.

1) in newspaper headlines:

Boy Saves Train. Avalanche Kills Five.

4)In a number of set patterns:

I hear you’re getting married.

NOTE the use of the Past Indefinite for politeness:

I wondered if you were free this evening. I thought you might like some flowers.

The Present Continuous Tense (Progressive)

1) It is used to denote:

I.

a) A temporary action in progress (going on at the moment of speaking or within a wider period)

· I’m standing near the window at the moment.

b) A temporary series of acts:

· I’m getting up early this week.

c) An action or state peculiar to sb at the moment of speaking, esp. with the verb to be:

· Don’t take any notice of him: he’s just being funny.

II.

A habitual action viewed as a continual process (emotional or literary use).

Found only with the adverbs always, ever, continually, constantly, etc. NOT used with never.

a) in emotional use:

· She’s always complaining about her neighbours.

b) in a literary style:

· The Neva is ever carrying its waters into the stormy Baltic.

III.

A future action

A) in simple sentences:

2) when the action is regarded as planned

· I’m leaving next week.

3) when the speaker expresses a strong determination NOT to do sth (in negative sentences)

§ Who does she think she is? I’m not talking to her again!

B) in complex sentences: in clauses of time and condition (rarely) referring to the future

· While you are looking at these pictures I’ll fix something to eat.

IV.

An action referring to the immediate past:

· Hello, Jackie! Are you sleeping or eating or what?

NOTE:

1) In present-day English, some verbs traditionally regarded as stative, are found in Continuous tenses:

· Are you hearing me better now? I’m using another phone.

· I’m having to cook my own meals this week.

· Are you still needing that magazine?

The use of such link verbs as to feel and to look in Cont.tenses is common but regarded as informal:

· You’re looking swell, Dolly, I can tell, Dolly.

· I’m feeling fine, thanks.

The same is true of the expression I am looking forward /I look forward to hearing from you.

3) Some set expressions are used only in the Present Continuous:

· The children are killing themselves with laughter – they’ve just played a trick.

NOTE the use of Continuous forms for politeness:

Will you be going away at the weekend? I was thinking – would it be possible to borrow your car?

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