The Present Continuous (Progressive) Tense

Характеристика действия	1. Действие совершается в момент речи. 2. Действие происходит в момент совершения другого действия. 3. Действие происходит не в данный момент, а систематически (как в случае с the Present Simple), однако говорящий явно недоволен тем, что кто-то совершает это действие. (Ср.: Мой приятель вечно теряет свои ключи. My pal is always losing his keys) 4. Действие происходит не в данный момент, а в более длительный период, который подразумевают собеседники. Ср.: – Над чем вы сейчас (т.е. не в данную минуту, а в данный период) работаете? – Над новым проектом. – What are you working on? – On a new project.
Примеры слов-сигналов	now - these days at the moment - always at present - today still - this week (month, year) currently
Формула образования	be (am, is, are) + V-ing
Утвердительное предложение	Не is making coffee for you (now). Он готовит сейчас вам кофе. We are working at the project (now). Мы сейчас работаем над проектом.
Отрицательное предложение	Не is not making coffee for you (now). Он сейчас не готовит вам кофе. We aren’t working at the project (now). Мы сейчас не работаем над проектом.
Вопросительное предложение	Is he making coffee for you (now)? Готовит ли он сейчас для вас кофе? Are you working at the project (now)? Работаете ли вы сейчас над проектом?

Exercise 1. Comment on the use of the Present Continuous in these sentences. Translate these sentences.

1. Please, don’t make noise. I’m studying. 2. Why are you sitting at my desk? 3. I’m living with Jack and Peggy at the moment. 4. I’m always forgetting people’s names. 5. You’re spending a lot of money these days. 6. John is taking dancing lessons this winter. 7. Computers are becoming more and more important in our life. 8. Get the teabags. The water is boiling. 9. Professor Mikes is writing a book on Byron. 10. She’s eating her breakfast now. 11. I’m working at the Accounting Department just for this week. 12. Yegor Titov isn’t playing football for Spartacus this season. He wants to concentrate on his studies. 13. Mr Young is talking on the phone at the moment. Could you phone back later? 14. Look, it’s raining! 15. My father is always losing his keys. 16. He is constantly asking me for money.

Exercise 2. Use the correct form of the verb to be in these sentences.

1. Jane _____ doing her homework now. 2. Charles _____ taking psychology this semester. 3. Do not switch off the TV. I _____ watching it. 4. Your children _____ growing very quickly. 5. My son is very busy. He _____ getting ready for his final exams. 6. Look! The bus _____ stopping. 7. The students _____ listening to the speaker very attentively. 8. We _____ concentrating on French this semester. 9. The child _____ crying because he is hungry. 10. He _____ always saying stupid things. 11. You can’t speak to Mary now, because she _____ having a bath. 12. It’s 8:30. Tom and Anne _____ having breakfast. 13. I _____ wearing shorts because the sun _____ shining today. 14. I cannot understand what you _____ saying, the traffic _____ making too much noise. 15. I _____ examining all the third-year students this week. 16. Harry and his wife _____ looking for a new house.

Exercise 3. Make these sentences a) negative and b) interrogative.

Model: They are talking about their trip abroad.

a) They are not talking about their trip abroad.

b) Are they talking about their trip abroad?

1. I am expecting a phone call from John. 2. We are taking American literature this year. 3. The secretary is looking through the files. 4. Peter is behaving very strangely these days. 5. Mrs Brown is always blaming other people for all her failures. 6. The committee is considering a very serious matter now. 7. The population of the world is growing very fast. 8. Right now George is talking on the telephone. 9. The children are sleeping now. 10. They are living in a rented house at the moment. 11. My husband is working on an invention. 12. Mike is trying to fix the TV. 13. John is writing a grammar test at the moment. 14. We are having an English class. 15. We are swimming across the river in a boat. 16. Jane is wearing a new hat today.

Exercise 4. Use the Present Continuous instead of the Infinitive in brackets.

1. He (not to work), he (watch) television. 2. Look! The sun (rise). 3. It (rain)?  Yes, it (rain) very hard. 4. Why Ann (not to wear) her new dress? 5. My brother always (worry) about his wife’s health. 6. It (get) dark. The wind (blow), the sun (not to shine). 7. Somebody (talk) in the next room. 8. Why you (type) so fast? You (make) a lot of mistakes. 9. The children are very quiet. Go and see what they (do). 10. Somebody (knock) at the door. 11. Our neighbours always (have) arguments. 12. Tom can’t have the newspaper now because his aunt (read) it. 13. Susan (work) this week?  No, she’s on holiday. 14. She always (lose) her glasses and (ask) me to look for them. 15. The baby (cut) a tooth. That’s why she (cry). 16. What a noise! The boys (fight)!

Exercise 5. Change the following according to the model.

Model: He usually shaves at 7 but today he _____ at 8.

He usually shaves at 7 but today he is shaving at 8.

1. She usually has tea in the morning but this morning she _____ coffee. 2. They usually play in the garden in the afternoon but this afternoon they _____ in the park. 3. She usually washes dishes after dinner but tonight she _____ clothes. 4. He usually reads his newspaper after breakfast but today he _____ a book. 5. She usually has tea alone but today she _____ tea with her friends. 6. Mrs Green usually does her shopping on Monday but this week she _____ the shopping on Friday. 7. He generally speaks Greek but he _____ English today. 8. Mr Rock usually goes to his office in his car but this week he _____ by bus. 9. John usually plays chess very well but today he has a headache and _____ chess badly. 10. The teacher usually speaks English in class but today she _____ Russian. 11. They usually watch TV in the evening but today they _____ it in the afternoon. 12. The Browns always go to the country in summer but this year they _____ abroad. 13. Richard usually drives the car himself but this morning his wife _____ it. 14. We usually play cards after supper but this evening we _____ dominoes. 15. Peter usually waits for Helen in the hall but today he _____ for her at the bus stop. 16. Miss Green generally types very fast but this morning she _____ very slowly.

Exercise 6. Add question tags to these sentences.

1. Bob isn’t behaving himself these days. 2. The Baxters are travelling about France. 3. John’s cousin is not playing the piano now. 4. You see, the weather isn’t getting colder. 5. Peter is having breakfast now. 6. The boys are playing football in the yard. 7. Helen is listening to the latest news on the radio right now. 8. You are always leaving the lights on. 9. The children are eating cheese. 10. I’m talking to Lucy. 11. George is not working at the moment. 12. The children are playing with the new toys. 13. The sun is shining today. 14. Peter and John are fighting again. 15. I’m trying to open the drawer. 16. The old woman is smoking a cigarette.

Exercise 7. Make up alternative questions to which these sentences would provide answers.

Model: The students are working in the library (in the laboratory).

Are the students working in the library or in the laboratory?

1. Mike is reading a newspaper (a magazine). 2. The children are playing volleyball. 3. Mrs Jones is cooking lunch (dinner). 4. George is going to Columbia University (Oxford University). 5. You are studying English (German). 6. John is trying to find a telephone number in his notebook (in a telephone directory). 7. Arthur is studying for a master’s degree (a bachelor’s degree). 8. Paul is finishing his third year at the Institute (begin). 9. She is always showing pictures of her children (her grandmother). 10. The students are writing a test (a dictation). 11. The children are crossing the street (the square). 12. Alice is talking to our German guests (French). 13. Mr Well is shouting at his wife (his son). 14. Mr and Mrs Smith are eating dinner at a restaurant (lunch). 15. Frank is sleeping (watch television). 16. Judy is playing the piano (the guitar).

Exercise 8. Make up questions to which these sentences would provide answers. Begin with the interrogative word given in brackets.

1. John is waiting for someone (who). 2. They are talking about their trip to London (what). 3. He is speaking to the Headmaster (who). 4. Jane is typing a very important document (what). 5. This semester I’m taking maths classes (when). 6. Joanna is still trying to give up smoking (who). 7. The man is trying to open the door of our car (what). 8. My children are always misbehaving (whose). 9. Mary is looking for her bag (what). 10. Lucy is dancing with Paul (who). 11. We are celebrating Granny’s birthday (whose). 12. They are planning to go to Moscow during their winter holidays (where). 13. Robert is having a shower in the bathroom (what). 14. Helen is washing her hair again (who). 15. Mr and Mrs Peterson are redecorating their flat (whose). 16. My cousin is washing his car in front of the garage (where).

Exercise 9. Translate these sentences.

1. Почему ребенок плачет? 2. Члены комиссии ждут вас в вашем кабинете. 3. С кем разговаривает ваш муж? 4. Студенты сидят за столами и пишут контрольную работу. 5. Их компания строит новый автомобиль. 6. Я не знаю, почему я плачу. 7. Она всегда жалуется на своего сына. 8. Он занят. Он что-то пишет. 9. Они обсуждают что-то интересное. 10. Она вечно опаздывает на работу. 11. Кто-то стучит в дверь. Откройте, пожалуйста. 12.  Что вы сейчас читаете?  Я читаю детективный роман. 13. Почему вы курите здесь? В комнате спит ребенок. 14.  Что делают студенты?  Они отвечают на вопросы преподавателя. 15. Я не могу вам сейчас дать газету, потому что сам читаю ее. 16. Послушайте, как хорошо она поет. 17. Они сейчас обсуждают очень серьезный вопрос. 18. О чем ты говоришь? 19. Разве ты не видишь, что они смеются над нами? 20. Я очень внимательно слушаю вас.

Exercise 10. Comment on the use of the Present Simple and the Present Continuous in these sentences.

1. She has a dog and two cats. 2. He is having breakfast at the moment 3. I’m seeing the manager tomorrow morning. 4. Do you see that man over there? 5. What do you think will happen? 6. I’m thinking of giving up my job. 7. Listen! Can you hear the noise? 8. The conductor of the orchestra is busy. He is hearing a pianist who has come from the Conservatoire. 9. I weigh 70 kilos. 10. I am weighing myself. 11. I am tasting this soup to see whether there is enough salt in it. 12. The coffee tastes bitter. 13.  This perfume smells horrible.  Well, stop smelling it then. 14. She is very witty. 15. He is being witty. 16. I’m hungry. I need something to eat. 17. Do you know what I mean? 18. She prefers the theatre to the cinema. 19. This book belongs to you, I think. 20. Philip likes coffee at lunchtime, and yoghurt in the evening.

Exercise 11. Choose the right alternative.

1. She says she didn’t take the money, but I don’t believe/I’m not believing her. 2. Tom thinks/is thinking of emigrating. What do you think/are you thinking of the idea? 3. Why do you smell/are you smelling the milk? Does it smell/is it smelling sour? 4. What does this word mean/is this word meaning? 5. I’m sorry, but I don’t remember/I am not remembering his new telephone number. 6. Do you like/Are you liking this painting? 7. He has/is having lunch now, so he may be late for the meeting. 8. I have/am having a headache, so I don’t want/am not wanting to go to the meeting anyway. 9. Cats see/are seeing in very dim light. 10. We are leaving tomorrow. Bill sees/is seeing us off at the airport. 11. Jill is interested in politics but she does not belong/is not belonging to a political party. 12. Who is that man? What does he want/is he wanting? 13. Mr Stanley says he’s 80 years old, but nobody believes/is believing him. 14. She told me her name, but I don’t remember/is not remembering it now. 15. The soup tastes/is tasting good. 16. He wants/is wanting to tell you something. 17. I used to drink a lot of coffee, but these days I prefer/am preferring tea. 18. Air consists/is consisting mainly of nitrogen and oxygen. 19. I can’t understand why he is/is being selfish. He isn’t usually like that. 20. This suitcase weighs/is weighing too much, I can’t carry it.

Exercise 12. Put the verbs into the correct form: the Present Indefinite (Present Simple) or the Present Continuous Tense.

1. I (smoke) a lot these days because I (revise for) my final examinations. I always (smoke) a lot when I (learn) something. 2. I (not to like) garlic when I (smell) it but I (love) it when I (taste) it. 3. What time she (come) here as a rule? 4. Our car is very unreliable. It always (break down). 5. How is your English?  Not bad. It (improve) slowly. 6. What your father (do)?  He’s an architect but he (not to work) at the moment. 7. This train is never late. It always (leave) on time. 8. McDonald’s restaurants worldwide (serve) 10 million people. 9. You (understand) what the lecturer (say)?  No, I (not to understand) him at all, though I (listen) with great attention. 10. You (hear) what he (say)?  No, I (not to listen). 11. Stop smoking! The room (be) full of smoke which (come) from your pipe. Usually nobody (smoke) in here as mother can’t stand it. 12. You (go) my way? I (want) to speak to you. 13. – Johnny! The phone (ring).  I can’t get it. I (wash) my hair. 14. Hurry up! The bus (come). I (not to want) to miss it. 15. He often (walk) to the plant?  No, he usually (go) by bus. 16. It’s 6 p.m. Mary is at home. She (eat) dinner. She always (eat) dinner with her family around six o’clock. 17. Mike, Mr Grey (leave), say Good-bye to him. 18. What’s the matter?  It (rain) and I (not to have) an umbrella. 19. Peter (stand) in front of the timetable. He (look) at it very intently. He (not to know) the number of the classroom. 20. The government is worried because the number of jobless people (grow).

Exercise 13. Put the verbs into the correct form: the Present Indefinite (Present Simple) or Present Continuous Tense.

1. My elder sister (have) a music lesson. She always (have) music lessons on Friday. 2. Mr Cooper is a writer. He (write) novels and stories. Currently he (work) on a novel about the life of Indians in the American West. 3. My sister really (make) me angry. She always (borrow) my things without asking me. 4. In spring the days (grow) longer and the nights (become) warmer. 5. Why you (smile), Kitty? 6. You (hear) anything?  Yes, somebody (knock) at the door. 7. They still (discuss) where to go. 8. I always (buy) lottery tickets but I seldom (win). 9. Ron is in London at the moment. He (stay) at the Park Hotel. He always (stay) there when he is in London. 10. Can you drive?  I (learn). My father (teach) me. 11. The material (feel) rather like artificial silk. 12. We (enjoy) our holiday. We (have) a great fun. 13. She (taste) the pudding to see if it is sweet enough. 14. He usually (leave) his office at seven o’clock, but this week he (work) later. 15. Some people (do) everything with their left hand. 16. How you (feel)? 17. You (understand) this grammar rule? 18. The world (spend) 75 million pounds on all kinds of weapons. 19. I (not to know) what he (want). 20. I usually (write) my letters on Sunday, but I (write) this week’s letters today because they are urgent.

Exercise 14. Put the verbs into the correct form: the Present Indefinite (Present Simple) or Present Continuous Tense.

1. Mr West (speak) over the telephone now. 2. Water (boil) at 100 degrees Celsius. 3. Julia is very good at languages. She (speak) four languages very well. 4. Please, don’t make so much noise. Father (work) in the study. 5. Simon (be) very untidy. He always (leave) his clothes lying on the bathroom floor. 6. Hurry up! Everybody (wait) for you. 7. You (listen) to the radio?  No, you can turn it off. 8. The River Nile (flow) very fast today  much faster than previously (или than it used to). 9. Ali (speak) Arabic. Arabic is his native language, but right now he (speak) English. 10. We usually (grow) vegetables in our garden, but this year we (not to grow) any. 11. She (not to understand) what you (say). 12. This spaghetti (taste) delicious. 13. What you (think) about?  I (think) about the play we saw last night.  What you (think) of it?  I (not to think) much of it. 14. Your brother always (say) things that he shouldn’t say in front of children. 15. Jack (be) very nice to me at the moment. I wonder why. 16. Can you call me back in half an hour? I (have) dinner. 17.  Where you (go)?  To the library.  You often (go) to the library?  Twice a week. 18. I (not to want) to go for a walk now. It (rain). 19. I (like) my new job, but the people in the office (not to talk) to me very much. 20. How’s Joe?  Great. He (have) fun because he (drive) a new car.

Exercise 15. Put the verbs into the correct form. Use the the Present Indefinite (Present Simple) or the Present Continuous Tense.

1. Why Brian (wear) a suit today?  It’s Tuesday. He always (go) to lunch with his boss on Tuesdays. 2. She (take) three classes this semester, but she usually (take) more. 3. Where’s Tim?  I (think) he (take) a nap. 4. You (like) your job?  No, I (hate) it. 5. This case (contain) twenty cigarettes. 6. I (feel) very well today. 7. Mr Brown always (read) his newspaper in the evenings. Mrs Brown sometimes (knit) but she (not to knit) now. 8. My brother (say) that people who (owe) him money always (seem) to forget about it, but people he (owe) money to always (remember) exactly. 9. These workmen are never satisfied; they always (complain). 10. What you (think) of that new girl, Jacqueline?  Well, frankly, I (find) her terribly annoying. She always (make) silly remarks and she never (listen) to anything you say. 11. I never (wear) hats in summer, but I (wear) a hat today because the sun is very hot. 12. You (hear) how the rain (beat) on the window? 13. The woman who (speak) with Peter at the gate (live) just round the corner to the left. 14. I (think) it’s a pity you (not to take) more exercise. You (get) fat. 15. He (revise for) the exams this week. 16. My husband always (find) fault with his secretary, although I’m sure she (do) her best. 17. He (pay) rent to the landlord every month. 18. What’s the noise? What (happen)? 19. Look! That man over there (wear) the same sweater as you. 20. I (not to like) my job very much because I (do) the same things every day. I (want) to find a new job.

Exercise 16. Translate these sentences.

1. Генри редко пишет письма родителям, но часто звонит им по телефону. 2. В чем дело? Почему ребенок плачет? 3.  Где профессор Пайк?  Он у себя в кабинете. Он готовится к завтрашней лекции. Профессор Пайк всегда работает в это время. 4. Почему этот мужчина так смотрит на вас? Вы его знаете? 5. Этот писатель пишет новую книгу. 6. Когда вы обычно заканчиваете работу? 7. Тебе нравится моя сестра? 8. Мой сын не любит хоккей. Он предпочитает футбол. 9. а) Они часто обсуждают такие проблемы. б) Они обсуждают что-то интересное. 10. Что ты делаешь сейчас?  Слушаю радио. Я всегда слушаю последние известия по утрам. 11. а) Он обычно так быстро говорит, что я его не понимаю. б) Вы понимаете, что говорит лектор?  Конечно. 12. Вечно ты споришь! 13. Мисс Росс занята сейчас. Она печатает важный документ. 14. Том знает много песен. Сейчас он поет английскую народную песню. 15. Послушайте! В соседней комнате кто-то плачет. 16. Почему ты не танцуешь? Ты ждешь Мэри? 17. Ты не слушаешь меня! 18. а) Погода в Англии меняется очень часто. б) Возьми плащ: погода меняется. 19. Она постоянно теряет ключи. 20. Чем сейчас занимаются студенты из второй группы?