The Present Continuous

§ 9. The formation of the Present Continuous.

1. The Present Continuous is formed by means of the Present Indefinite of the auxiliary verb to be and Participle I of the no­tional verb.

2. In the interrogative form the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject.

In the negative form the negative particle not is placed after the auxiliary verb.

Affirmative

I am reading

He is reading

She is reading

We are reading

You are reading

They are reading

Interrogative

Am I reading?

Is he reading?

Is she reading?

Are we reading?

Are you reading?

Are they reading?

Negative

I am not reading

He is not reading

She is not reading

We are not reading

You are not reading

They are not reading

3. The contracted affirmative forms are:

I'm reading

She's reading

We're reading

The contracted negative forms are:

She isn't reading

We aren't reading

4. The negative-interrogative forms are:

Am I not reading?

Is she not reading?

Isn't she reading?

Are you not reading?

Aren't you reading?

We use the present continuous:

a) for actions taking place now, at the moment of speaking.

e.g. He is giving the baby a bath at the moment.

b) for temporary actions; that is actions that are going on around now, but not at the actual moment of speaking.

e.g. I'm looking for a new job these days.

c) with adverbs such as: always, constantly, continually, etc. for actions which happen very often, usually to express annoyance, irritation or anger.

e.g. I'm always meeting Sara when I go shopping. (action which happens very often)

You're constantly interrupting me when I'm talking, (expressing annoyance/irritation)

d) for actions that we have already arranged to do in the near future, especially when the time and place have been decided.

e.g. They're moving into their new house next week. (The time has been decided.)

e) for changing or developing situations.

e.g. More and more species are becoming extinct.

The present continuous is used with the following time expressions: now, at the moment, at present, these days, still, nowadays, today, and tonight, etc.

Ex. 1

Read and translate the following sentences. Explain the use of the Present Progressive.

1. Family life is changing rapidly. 2. These days many people are complaining that life is too tough. 3. I can't understand what he is talking about. 4. He is always coming up with new ideas. 5. She is feeling dead guilty. Forgive her.

Ex. 2

Give the form of Participle I of the following verbs and transcribe it.

to ask – to do – to have – to make – to stop – to sleep – to stay – to plough -

to try – to forbid – to limit – to defeat – to cancel – to compel – to see – to be -

to shine – to knock – to slip – to speak – to die – to spy – to travel – to hit -

to live – to leave – to tie – to expel – to give – to commit – to cry – to lie -

Ex. 3

Put each verb into the Present Progressive tense form.

1. George has gone to work in Spain. When he arrived, his Spanish wasn’t very good but now it (to improve). 2. Do you remember Mr.Cracker? He (to come) to tea today. 3. The world (to change). Things never stay the same. 4. The cost of living (to increase). Every year things are dearer. 5. The population of the world (to rise) very fast. 6. Norman comes from Hull, but he (to study) electronics in London. 7. The number of people without jobs (to fall) at the moment. 8. B.A.T. (to sell) the British retain chain, International Stores, to Dee Corp. for $430 million. 9. Ted Turner’s cable-TV company (to think) to buy ESPN, America’s largest cable channel. 10. These days the country’s economy (to recover) after a long recession. 11. The economic situation is already very bad and it (to get) worse. 12. Oh, darling, pay no attention to Mr. Wonka! He (lie) to you. 13. "I (starve), and my feet (kill) me. I want to have a rest," complained Grandma. 14. "Watch the road!" cried the policeman. "Something (happen) there." 15. — You (kid)? — No, I not (joke), sir. I'm dead serious. 16. Now, children, we (go) to the most wonderful place in the world. 17. You (think) of selling this house? I do not think it's the right time to do it. 18. We still can't understand what he (talk) about. 19. She (show) the latest collection of new designs tonight. 20. Today in this country we (face) a lot of problems. 21. — Why you (cry), Nicky? — Can't you see I (cut) onions? 22. Listen, you and Eric (come) for Sunday's barbecue? 23. — You (feel) better, darling? — Yes, I (do) fine, thank you. 24. — Have you put the kettle on to boil? — It (whistle) already. 25. All the talk tonight is about the house which he (renovate). 26. We not (get) younger. 27. Make the tea, Jess, the kettle (screech) its head off. 28. Now clear off, I (read). 29. Hello, is that me you (look for)?

Ex.4

Rachel is in the computer room at college. Complete her conversation with Andrew. Put in a present continuous form of the verb.

Andrew: What (►) are you doing? (you / do)

Rachel: (►) I'm writing (I / write) a letter to a friend. He's a disc jockey. Vicky and I (1)... (try) to organize a disco.

Andrew: That sounds a lot of work. How (2)... (you / find) time for your studies?

Rachel: Well, as I said, Vicky (3)... (help) me. (4)... (we / get) on all right. (5)... (we / not / spend) too much time on it. (6)... (it / not / take) me away from my studies, don't worry about that. Oh, sorry, (7)... (you / wait) for this computer?

Andrew: Yes, but there's no hurry.

Rachel: (8)... (I / correct) the last bit of the letter. I've nearly finished.

Ex.5

What can you say in these situations? Add a sentence with the present continuous.

► A friend rings you up in the middle of 'Neighbours', your favourite soap opera. Is it important? I'm watching 'Neighbours'.

1 A friend is at your flat and suggests going out, but you can see rain outside.
I don't want to go out now. Look,

2 A friend rings you up at work.
Sorry, I can't talk now.

3 You want to get off the bus, but the man next to you is sitting on your coat. Excuse me,

4 A friend wants to talk to you, but you have just started to write an important letter. Can I talk to you later?

You have been ill, but you're better now than you were. I'm OK now.

Ex. 6

Expand one of the sets of notes below to complete each dialogue.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-16