Глаголы в форме Continuous употребляются, когда требуется подчеркнуть, что действие продолжается, продолжалось или будет продолжаться в то время, о котором идет речь, т.е. когда нужно выразить действие в процессе его совершения.
Эти формы образуются при помощи вспомогательного глагола to be в настоящем, прошедшем или будущем времени + Participle I смыслового глагола.
На русский язык формы Continuous переводятся глаголами настоящего, прошедшего или будущего времени несовершенного вида.
Время Форма | Present Continuous | Past ] Continuous | Future Continuous |
утвердительная | They are writing a test. He is reading a text. | They were writing a test when I came. He was reading this text from 3 to 4 o'clock. | They will be writing a test tomorrow at 12 o'clock, He will be reading this text from 3 to 4 tomorrow. |
вопросительная | Are they translating a new article? Is he reading a book? | Were they translating a new article when you came? Was he reading this book from 3 to 4 o'clock? | Will they be translating a new article at 12? Will he be reading this book from 3 to 4 o'clock tomorrow? |
отрицательная | They are not reading, they are writing a test. He is not writing a test, he is [reading a book. | They were not reading, they were writing a test when you came. He was not writing a test, he was reading a book from 5 to 6. | They will not be reading this book at 9 o'clock to morrow. He will not be writing a test from 3 to 4 | o'clock tomorrow. |