Практическая грамматика

The Continuous Form

The Continuous form denotes an action in progress at the present moment or at a given moment in the past of future. It is formed by means of the auxiliary verb to be in the required tense and Participle I of the notional verb.

The Present Continuous


§ 4. The Present Continuous is used:
1. To express an action going on at the present moment. The term present moment is not limited to the actual moment of speaking. The Present Continuous is used when in Russian we can say теперь, сейчас, which refers not only to the moment of speaking, but has a wider meaning.
You can switch off the TV. I’m not watching it.
She is looking for a job at the moment.
Robert is on holiday this week. He’s staying with his aunt.
2. To denote a certain state or quality peculiar to the person at the moment of speaking.
You are being a nuisance.
3. To talk about planned future arrangements.
We are leaving at ten o’clock on Friday.
I am meeting Jennet later this evening.
I’m having lunch with Helen tomorrow.
4. To express a continual process.
The Earth is always moving.
The Sun is ever shining.
5. To express an action thought of as a continual process (with the adverbs always, ever, constantly). The action is represented as going on without any interval.
She is always grumbling.
«She is constantly thinking of you,» I said. (Wells)
The difference between case 4 and case 5 is as follows: what is said in No. 4 is literally true, whereas in No. 5 there is an element of exaggeration, because the action in this case cannot go on without intervals. The exaggeration is generally called forth by emotion.


The Past Continuous


§ 5. The use of the Past Continuous.
The Past Continuous is used: