Thursday 17 May 2018

Dialogues Using Present Continuous Tense

ContentsGrammar in Dialogues → Dialogues Using Present Continuous Tense

Read and understand the following explanations on usage of the Present Continuous Tense and then examine illustrative examples from the works of literature.

The Present Continuous Using: Explanations 

Generally: The present tense regularly expresses something occurring now, in the present. Where continuing action is emphasized, the present continuous (present progressive) is used: The system is working very well. She is sleeping quietly now. For grammar details, see "The Continuous Forms" page.

 I. The Present Continuous expresses an action which is going on at the moment of speaking (see dialogues 1, 2).

 ►Note 1. Stative verbs denoting physical perceptions, emotions, wish, mental processes, etc are not used in the Present Continuous. The Present Indefinite is used instead (see dialogue 3).

 II. The Present Continuous expresses an action going on at the present period of time (dialogues 4, 5).

 III. The Present Continuous may express an action in progress which is simultaneous with some other action or state denoted by the verb in the Present Indefinite. The action in the Present Indefinite is recurrent action that always taken place against the background of the action in the Present Continuous. The use of the Present Continuous makes such sentence emotionally coloured. (See dialogues 6, 7.)