Present continuous (continued) tense in English. Present Continuous Tense (Present Progressive Tense). Present Continuous - Present continuous tense in English Present continuous tense in English rule

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The Present Continuous Tense (Present Continuous)

Education Present Continuous Tense

§ 21. 1. Present Continuous is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the present tense (am, is, are) and the present participle form (Present Participle) of the semantic verb: I am working, he is working, we are working.

  1. In the interrogative form, the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject: Am I working? Is he working? Are you working?
  2. The negative form is formed with the particle not, which is placed after the auxiliary verb: I am not working, he is not working, we are not working.
  3. In an interrogative-negative form, the particle not is placed immediately after the subject: Am I not working? Is he not working? Are we not working?

affirmative form

Interrogative form

Negative form

Interrogative-
negative form

I am not working

Am I not working?

Not (she, it) is working

Is he (she, it) working?

He (she, it) is not working

Is he (she, it) not working?


We are not working

Are we not working?

Are you working?

You are not working

Are you not working?

They are working

Are they working?

They are not working

Are they not working?

5. In colloquial speech, the following abbreviations are usually used:

Using Present Continuous Tense

§ 22. Present Continuous is used:

  1. To express a long action taking place at the moment of speech:

He is not reading a book. - He is reading a book (now).

She is writing a letter.-She is writing a letter (now).

Don "t make a noise, he is working. - Don't make noise, he's working (now).

The presence of words denoting the moment of speech, like now now, now, at this moment at present, not necessarily, since the tense form itself indicates that the action is taking place at the moment of speech. In Russian, the coincidence of the action with the moment of speech is clear from the context, or from the use of words now, now, at the moment etc.

  1. To express a continuous action taking place in present period of time although not necessarily at the moment of speech:

Not is writing a new play.-He is writing a new play.

That firm is carrying on negotiations for the purchase of ore. - This firm is negotiating the purchase of ore.

Note . Present Continuous should be contrasted with Present Indefinite. While Present Continuous expresses a continuous action taking place at the moment of speech or in the present period of time, Present Indefinite expresses an action taking place usually, in general:

Related exercises:
Beginner lesson "Present Continuous declarative sentences"
Beginner lesson "Negative Present Continuous sentences"
Beginner lesson "Present Continuous Interrogative Sentences"
Mistakes when using Present Continuous

Method of formation of Present Continuous

am / is / are + present participle

For example:
You are watching TV.
You look TV set.

Are you watching TV?
You look TV set?

You are not watching TV.
You don't look TV set.

Verb conjugation in Present Continuous

Number Face positive form negative form Interrogative form
single 1 I am speaking. I am not speaking. Am I speaking?
2 You are speaking. You are not speaking. Are you speaking?
3 He is speaking.
She is speaking.
It is speaking.
He is not speaking.
She is not speaking.
It is not speaking.
Is he speaking?
Is she speaking?
Is it speaking?
plural 1 You are speaking. You are not speaking. Are you speaking?
2 We are speaking. We are not speaking. Are we speaking?
3 They are speaking. They are not speaking. Are they speaking?

Using Present Continuous

This moment

Present Continuous describes actions expressed by normal verbs that are happening or not happening now, at this very moment.

The Present Continuous is often used with adverbs of time such as: at the moment- at present; now, just now, right now- now, right now; and etc.

For example:
You are learning English now.
Now you you teach English.

You are not swimming now.
Now you don't swim.

Are you sleeping?
You sleeping?

I am sitting.
I sitting.

I am not standing.
I I'm not standing.

Is he sitting or standing?
He is sitting or costs?

They are reading their books at the moment.
At present they read books.

They are not watching television.
They are don't look TV set.

What are you doing right now?
Than you are you doing now?

why aren't you doing your homework?
Why do you don't do hometasks?

Long-term actions happening now

In English, as well as in Russian, the adverb "now" can mean a rather extensive period of time: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, etc. Sometimes the Present Continuous can be used to describe an action that lasts for the present period of time, it does not have to be in this very second.

For example ( note that all of the following sentences can be said, for example, while at a dinner in a restaurant, or written in a letter, etc.):
I am studying to become a doctor.
I I study to the doctor.

I am not studying to become a dentist.
I I don't study to the dentist.

I am reading the book "Tom Sawyer".
I I read Tom Sawyer book.

I am not reading any books right now.
Now I I don't read no books.

Are you working on any special projects at work?
You now working on any special projects?

Aren't you teaching at the university now?
Are you now you don't teach in university?

Near future

Sometimes the Present Continuous can be used to describe a future action that should take place or not take place in the near future.

For example:
I am meeting some friends after work.
After work I dating with your friends.

I am not going to the party tonight.
I am today I'm not going for evening.

Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
He will go to your parents at the end of next week?

Isn"t he coming with us tonight?
Is he with us today won't go?

Repetitive actions and irritation, impatience, disapproval

Present Continuous with words always- always, constantly- constantly, expresses disapproval, impatience, irritation with some repetitive action. Please note that in this case, Present Continuous takes on the same meaning (repeated action) as in Present Simple, but has a negative connotation.

Remember that in this meaning it is necessary to use the words always, constantly, and in the sentence they are placed between to be and " -ing"-form of the verb.

For example:
She is always coming to class late.
She is always late to classes.

He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
He constantly chatting. If only he would shut up.

I don't like them because they are always complaining.
I don't like them because they complaining all the time.

Remember: Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that the verbs of the non-long group cannot be used in the tenses of the Continuous group, and also some meanings of the verbs of the mixed group cannot be used in the long tense either. Instead of Present Continuous with such verbs, you need to use Present Simple.

For example:
She is loving this chocolate ice cream. ( Wrong.)
She loves this chocolate ice cream. ( Right.)
She is loves it's chocolate ice cream.

In addition to a very complex system of tenses in the English language, students of it are faced with a unique phenomenon of English grammar - the tenses of the Continuous group. When describing actions that occur right at the moment of speech, the present continuous (or otherwise long, extended) time is used - Present Continuous Tense.

Pronounced as: [ˈpreznt kənˈtɪnjuəs]. British:

, Amer.:

However, not only in situations where the sentence contains the circumstances of the time “now”, “at the moment” this tense is used. There are a few more nuances when you need to use the Present Continuous and no other present tense. And there are some cases when the use of Present Continuous is meant, but it cannot be used.

Scheme of sentence formation with Present Continuous Tense

The formation of time Pr. Progressive in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences.

The first difficulty of this tense is that in statements with it, a linking verb is necessarily present even in a declarative sentence, it plays this role in a certain form. The form to be depends on the person and number of the subject:

  • I require the form am;
  • If the subject is we, you, they - they are followed by are;
  • Subject of the 3rd person and unit. numbers (he, she, it) - to be is in the form is.

After the subject and to be in the required form comes the verb, to which the ending -ing is attached.

Don't disturb me, please, I am translate ing a very difficult text now! – Please don't bother me, I'm translating a very difficult text right now!

the nurse is change ing Ann's bandages now, she will pay attention to you later. - The nurse is now bandaging Anna, she will pay attention to you later.

We are wait ing for you near the bus stop, where are you? We are waiting for you near the bus stop, where are you?

Both in speech and in writing, the linking verb is often abbreviated and "merges", in the written version an apostrophe appears:

  • I am → I'm;
  • you are → you're;
  • we are → we're;
  • they are → they're;
  • he is → he's (same with she/it).

Negative sentences

When negated, the word not appears, which always comes after the linking verb.

You are not doing anything now, why don't you want to help me? "You're not doing anything right now, why don't you want to help me?"

The reduction in negation can be according to the scheme above, or not itself will be reduced (except for combination with I):

  • I am not → I'm not (the only option);
  • you are not → you're not → you aren't;
  • we are not → we're not → we aren't;
  • he is not → he's not → he isn't (similar to she/it).

Interrogative sentences

In a question with the Present Continuous time, the standard English rule is applied - the direct is replaced by the reverse, and am / are / is is transferred to the place before the subject.

Are you drinking vodka now? We are waiting for guests! Are you drinking vodka now? We are waiting for guests!

However, when the question begins with the words , and they replace the subject, then the word order will be direct.

What is going on in our apple garden? Who is whining there? What is happening in our apple orchard? Who's whining there?

Cases of using Present Continuous

When an action occurs at the moment of speaking

The most common use of this tense is when describing an action/event, which takes place at the moment of speech (or there is an emphasis on the fact that this is not being done right now, is not happening).

Dr. Peterson is inspecting a very dire patient now, he is very busy. Dr. Peterson is currently examining a very serious patient, he is very busy.

I am not waiting for anybody now, that's why I am resting in the bed. - I'm not waiting for anyone now, so I'm resting in bed.

Such sentences contain (or imply) the words now (now), just / right now (right now), at the moment (at the moment).

Important! These circumstances of time should be at the end of the sentence or before the subject, at the beginning.

Now Mary is cleaning a carpet in the hall. – Mary is now cleaning the carpet in the hall (in the Russian version, the word order and the position of the adverbial tense are free).

Not so long ago, situations began to occur in colloquial speech when the circumstances of the time are in a different place in the sentence, but this, according to classical rules, is considered rude vernacular.

When something changes, grows or develops

When the described situation is connected with continuous growth, development, progress, and the speaker can observe it.

Jimmy is growing so fast! Jimmy is growing up so fast!

Mum's Spanish is getting better. Mom's Spanish is getting better.

When an action lasts a limited period of time

The action lasts for a period of time. The person speaking directly is not following him, but means that it is happening.

John is on vocation: he is traveling across Siberia. John is on vacation: he travels around Siberia.

To signify the future

Present Continuous can be used instead (moreover, its use is more desirable) if the action is precisely planned at a specific moment in the future.

My husband and me are going to the very interesting performance tomorrow. My husband and I are going to a very interesting performance tomorrow.

Even if something should not happen very soon (for example, next year), but the speaker is sure that it will happen, using Present Continuous is much more preferable.

Next year we are moving to the village. - Next year we are moving to the village (it is understood that, for example, real estate has already been bought there and repairs are underway).

When the new state contrasts with the previous one

The described action is stated as a new rule/way of life, and it is different from what was before.

These days young people are listening to the very strange music. “Young people listen to very strange music these days.

When the action is happening today (but not at the time of speaking)

Something is not happening specifically at the moment of speech, but the speaker of the sentence implies that this action is taking place today.

Usually I prefer coffee, but today I'm drinking tea all day long. Usually I prefer coffee, but today I drink tea all day.

When the action starts before and continues after the specified time

With the words constantly / always, if a continuous process is described that began before the moment of speech and does not stop later. Or something is repeated with enviable regularity (in this case, Present Continuous emphasizes concern, discontent, irritation).

Our continents are constantly moving. Our continents are constantly moving (continue to move).

She is always losing her keys from our apartments. She keeps losing her keys to our apartment.

When is the Present Continuous not to be used?

There is a large group of verbs with which, even if the fact of the action takes place at the moment of speech, this tense cannot be used according to the rules of the English language. These verbs are the so-called "", they, in turn, are divided into several subgroups.

1. Feelings, emotions, physical sensations. Examples of such verbs: feel (feel), hear (hear), like / dislike (like / dislike), love (love), hate (hate).

I love her so much and I will do everything for her! I love her so much and would do anything for her!

I feel a terrible headache, I must drink medicine. - I have (right now, at the moment of speaking) a terrible headache, I must take the medicine.

2. Desires, intentions. For example: want (want), hope / wish (hope), regret (regret).

I wish I were a shark! - How I want to be a shark!

I hope that you will clear it with your husband. “I hope that you will agree on this with your husband.

3. Mental, mental state. Examples of such words: understand (to understand), know (to know), mean (to keep in mind).

I understand everything, why are you shouting? “I understand everything, why are you screaming?”

I mean all people's life, not only mine. “I mean the lives of all people, not just my own.

4.Verbs of the measurement system, such as: weigh (weigh), cost (cost).

These jaws weigh about fifty kilos. These jaws weigh about 50 kg.

We are so sorry, this dress costs one hundred pounds now, there is no discount for it. “Huge apologies, but this dress is now £100, not on sale.

5. The verb to be in the meaning of "to be" and, used in the sense of "to have, to be the owner of something".

John is a very gifted kid. John is a very gifted child.

Patrick has a very young wife with big claims. – Patrick has a very young wife with big claims.

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Present is translated as "present" and tells us that the action is being performed at the moment. Continuous is translated as "long / long" and says that the action began some time ago and is still going on.

Present Continuous is a long time. We use it when we want to say that something is in progress. For example, I am swimming, that is, I am in the process of swimming. Present Simple, on the other hand, simply shows the fact of this or that action without a process. Let's look at examples.

1. Present Simple

I drive a car.
I drive a car.

2. Present Continuous

I am driving a car.
I'm driving.

In Russian, these two sentences are translated almost identically, but but in English they express a completely different meaning:

1) just the fact that I can drive a car: I have a license and I can drive it.

2) I am driving: I have been driving a car for some time and now I am still driving, that is, I am in the process of driving.

Now let's take a closer look at exactly what cases we use present continuous.

Using Present Continuous Tense

The simple continuous tense is used in several cases.

1. When we talk about an action that is happening now (at the moment).

That is, the action began some time ago and is still ongoing (is in progress).
Example: “She is dancing” - she is in the process of dancing; "Children play with toys" - they are in the process of playing.

2. An action that is currently being performed, but not necessarily at the moment.

By this we emphasize the process of its duration.
Example: "He is studying at the university" - he is in the process of studying; "She's working on a big project" - She's in the process of working on a project.

Affirmative sentences in Present Continuous Tense

An affirmative sentence is formed by using the present tense auxiliary verb to be (am, are, is) and the ending -ing, which is added to the action verb.

The person in question + am/are/is + verb + -ing.

I am
You
We are playing
They swimming
She cooking
He is
It

for example

They are watch ing TV.
They watch TV.

I am drink ing tea.
I'm drinking tea.

He is smok ing now.
He is smoking now.

Rules for adding the ending -ing

There are several peculiarities when adding the ending -ing to verbs.

  • If the verb ends in -e, then the letter e we remove and add to the verb -ing:

dance e- dance ing- dance;
mov e-mov ing-; move.

  • If the verb is short, we double the last consonant:

si t-si tting- sit;
ba n-ba nning- forbid.

Exceptions: verbs ending in -x and - w:

mi x- mi xing- to mix;
flo w- flo wings- flow.

  • If the verb ends in -ie, then we replace this ending with -y:

l ie-l ying- lie;
t ie-t ying- bind.

Words indicating time

The following words can help us determine what exactly is Present Continuous in front of us:

  • now - now;
  • at the moment - at the moment.

Let's look at examples.

They are running now.
They are running now.

I am eating now.
I am eating now.

We are working at the moment.
We are working at the moment.

She is having a break at the moment.
She is on hiatus at the moment.

Verbs not used in Present Continuous Tense


Some English verbs are never used in this tense.

1. Verbs expressing feelings

Present Continuous does not use verbs that are associated with the senses (sight, hearing, touch, etc.).

  • hear - to hear
  • smell - to smell,
  • feel - feel, etc.

2. Verbs expressing a mental state

  • forget - forget,
  • know - to know
  • understand - understand, etc.

3. Verbs expressing emotions and desires

  • love - to love,
  • want - want
  • like - like, etc.

4. Verbs expressing possession of something

  • have - to have,
  • possess - possess, etc.

Why are these verbs not used in Present Continuous?

As we have already discussed, this tense is used to emphasize that an action is in progress: we started doing it some time ago, we are doing it now, but after some time we will finish doing it.

To be used in our continuous tense, the verb must be able to last. For example: cook - you started cooking, cook now, finish after a while.

Returning to our exception verbs. We cannot start smell (sniff) or hear (hear) and end this process after some time. This is what we do all the time. We talk about what we can smell and hear. Similarly, forgetting, understanding or emotions cannot be processes, because otherwise it will turn out that these processes began sometime, now they last, and someday they will end.

Negative form in Present Continuous Tense

The negation is constructed as an affirmative sentence, only the negative particle not is added to our verb to be.

The one in question + am/are/is + not + verb + -ing.

I am
You
We are playing
They not cooking
She swimming
He is
It

Examples

We are not do ing our homework now.
We are not doing homework now.

She is not drive ing at the moment.
She is not driving at the moment.

I am not listen ing music now.
I don't listen to music now.

Interrogative form in Present Continuous Tense


To ask if someone is doing something right now, the verb to be comes first.

Am/are/is + the one in question + verb + -ing?

Am I
you
Are we playing?
they cooking?
she swimming?
Is he
it

Statement

I am read ing the book.
I am reading a book.

You are swimm ing in a pool.
You swim in the pool.

She is clean ing her room now.
She is cleaning the room now.

A question and a positive answer (our “yes”) would look like this:

Question Short answer (contains the verb to be) Full answer (built as an affirmative sentence)
Am I read ing the book?
I am reading a book?

Yes, I am.
Yes, I read.

Yes, I am read ing the book.
Yes, I am reading a book.
Are you swimm ing in a pool?
Do you swim in the pool?

Yes, you are.
Yes, you swim.

Yes, you are swimm ing in a pool.
Yes, you swim in the pool.

Is she clean ing her room now?
Is she cleaning the room now?

Yes, she is.
Yes, she cleans.

Yes, she is clean ing her room now.
Yes, she is cleaning the room now.

Negative answers (our “no”) would look like this:

Question Short answer (contains the verb to be + not) Full answer (formed as a negative sentence)
Am I read ing the book?
I am reading a book?

no, I amnot.
No, I don't read.

no, I am not read ing the book.
No, I am not reading a book.
Are you swimm ing in a pool?
Do you swim in the pool?

No, you arenot.
No, you don't swim.

No, you are not swimm ing in a pool.
No, you don't swim in the pool.
Is she clean ing her room now?
Is she cleaning the room now?

No, she isnot.
No, she doesn't clean.

No, she is not clean ing her room now.
No, she is not cleaning the room now.

Examples

Are are they playing tennis?
They are playing tennis?

Yes, they are.
Yes, they are playing.

Are are they playing tennis?
They are playing tennis?

No, they are not.
No, they don't play.

Is he sleeping now
He is sleeping now?

Yes, he is sleeping now.
Yes, he is sleeping now.

Is he sleeping now?
He is sleeping now?

No, he is not sleeping now.
No, he is not sleeping now.

Special questions in Present Continuous Tense

When we ask a question with the following question words:

      • what - what;
      • where - where;
      • who - who;
      • which - which one;
      • why - why.

These words are put in the first place in the sentence, and the further word order will be the same as in a regular question. The scheme is this:

Interrogative word + am/are/is + the one in question + verb + -ing?

am I
you
What are they reading?
Where we playing?
why she cooking?

Reinforcement task

Now for some practice. Translate the following sentences into English. Be careful, among them are hidden sentences that relate to Present Simple.

1. She is flying in an airplane at the moment.
2. Are you studying now? Yes, I am studying.
3. She walks to work.
4. It is not raining now.
4. Do they go to school? No, they don't study.
5. I am painting a picture now.
6. He doesn't fly planes.
7. The cat lies on the table.
8. What are they reading? They read new magazines.
9. My friend understands physics.

As always, leave your answers in the comments below the article.

Continuous Tenses, "to continue"- continue, last. The very name of this group of tenses indicates that their main grammatical meaning is duration, the process of action.

Group Times continuous also called Progressive Tenses , and in Russian their called extended or long time. verb used in the form continuous means that an action takes place at a certain moment. This moment may be clear from the context, or is often indicated by additional words - an exact indication of the time (hour), another action, etc. somehow concretizing this moment. Depending on the duration of the action, there are:

Present Continuous- present continuous (present continuous),

Past Continuous- past continuous (past continuous),

Future Continuous- future continuous (future continuous).

Scene 1 discusses examples of the use of time The Present Continuous Tense.
Scene 5 has examples of how to use The Past Continuous Tense.
In scene 29, the comparison in the use of tenses Future and Future Continuous.

Continuous Tense formed by an auxiliary verb "to be" and the fourth main form of the verb (present participle - Present Participle). Only the auxiliary verb will be the changeable part of the predicate "to be".

Group Times continuous in active pledge. Brief table.
Continuous (Progressive)
(process
At what time?
Past present Future
affirmative sentences
was Ving

were Ving
am Ving

is Ving

are Ving

will be Ving
Negative sentences
wasnot Ving

werenotVing

am notVing

is notVing

are notVing

will not be Ving
Interrogative sentences
was ...Ving?

Were ... Ving?

Am...Ving?

Is...Ving?

Are...Ving?

Will ... be Ving?
Group Times continuous in active pledge. Table with examples.
Continuous (Progressive)
(process- action in progress)
At what time?
Past present Future
affirmative sentences
I/He/She/It was Ving

We/You/They were Ving
I am Ving
(I " m)

He/She/It is Ving
(He " s/ She " s/It " s)

We/You/They are Ving
(We "re/You "re/they "re )

I/He/She/It/We/You/They
will be Ving

I "ll be/He "ll be/ She "ll be/It "ll be
We "ll be/You "ll be/they "ll be

He was playing yesterday at 9 o'clock.
He was playing yesterday at 9 o'clock.
He played yesterday at 9 o'clock.

I was writing yesterday from 6 to 7.
I was writing yesterday from 6 to 7.
I wrote yesterday from 6 to 7.

He is playing football right now.
He is playing football right now.
He is playing football right now.

I "m writing letter.
I am the letter writer.
I am writing a letter (now).

He will be playing
tomorrow at 3 o'clock.
He will be playing tomorrow at 3 o'clock.
He will play tomorrow at 3 o'clock.

I "ll be writing when you come.
I'll be writing when you come.
I will write when you come.

Negative sentences
I/He/She/It was not Ving
(wasn't )

We/You/They were not Ving
(weren"t )
I am notVing
(I "m not)

He/She/It is not Ving
(He "s not/ She "s not/It "s not)
(isn't)

We/You/They are notVing
(We "re not/You "re not/they "re not)
(aren't)

I/He/She/It/We/You/They
will not be Ving
(won'tbe)
He was notplaying when you came.
He wasn't playing when you arrived.
He wasn't playing when you arrived.

I wasn'twriting yesterday at 8p.m.
I was not writing yesterday at 8 pm.
I didn't write yesterday at 8 pm.

He is not playing football now.
He is not playing football now.
He doesn't play football now.

I" m not writing letter.
I am not the letter writer.
I am not writing a letter (now).

He won't be playing
football tomorrow from 6 till 7.
He won't be playing football tomorrow from 6 to 7.
He won't be playing football tomorrow from 6 to 7.

I will not be writtening
when you come.
I won't be writing
, when will you come.
I won't write when you come.

Interrogative sentences
was I/he/she/it Ving?

Were we/you/they Ving?

Am I Ving?

Is he/she/it Ving?

Are we/you/they Ving?

Will I/he/she/it/we/you/they be Ving?
was he playing
football yesterday from 6 till 7?
He was playing football
yesterday from 6 to 7?
Did he play football yesterday from 6 to 7?

Were you writing when I came?
Were you writing when I came?
Did you write when I arrived?

Is he playing football?
Is he playing football?
Is he playing football now?

Are you writing now?
Are you a writer now?
Are you writing now?

Will I be writingingtomorrowat 7p.m.?
Will I be writing tomorrow at 7 pm?
Will I write tomorrow at 7 pm?

Will he be playing
football tomorrow from 6 till 7?
Will he be playing football tomorrow from 6 to 7?
Will he play football tomorrow from 6 to 7?

Time Markers - Time markers
yesterday at 3p.m.,
yesterday from 6 till 7,
when you came...
now,
right now,
at the moment
currently
tomorrow at 3p.m.,
tomorrow from 6 to 7,
when you come

Conventions used in the table:

Ving- The fourth form of the verb. Present participle ( Present Participle or Participle I) and gerund ( Gerund).

to be + Ving- "to be doing"

In order to better understand the grammatical essence of continuous tenses, let's use the literal translation of each component:

I am working
I am employed
I work

Not working
He is working
he works

We are working
We are working
We are working

She was working
She was working
She worked

They were working
They were working
They worked

I shall be working
I will be working
I will work

You will be working
You will be working
You will work

It can be seen from these examples that the second component of the continuous tenses - the present participle - gives the entire verb a sign of duration. It is on the basis of the duration of action that these times are contrasted to the times of the Indefinite group. Latest used to express ordinary, repetitive actions. Compare:

Where is Ivanov?
Where is Ivanov?

Not working in his study now.
He is currently working in his office.

Ivanov usually works in his study.
Ivanov usually works in his office.

into Russian form continuous are translated by imperfective verbs of the present, past or future tense (according to the time of the auxiliary verb).

Interrogative and negative forms of continuous tenses are formed according to the rule of the verb "to be":

I am working.
Am I working?

He was working.
Was he working?

He wasn't working.

Verbs that do not represent action as a process are not used in the form continuous.

The main ones are: to accept, to belong, to contain, to consist, to depend on, to deserve, to hope, to hear, to know, to like, to mind, to please, to possess, to prefer, to resemble, to understand, to result, to see, to:

I understand what you are saying.
I understand what you are saying.

I see your drawing and I like it.
I see your drawing and I like it.

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