THE use of the Present Continuous tense

The Present Continuous denotes an action which is in progress and refers to the present.

The Present Continuous is used to denote:

1. An action going on at the moment of speaking.

– Can I talk to David?

– Not at the moment: he is sleeping.

2. An action taking place within more or less long period of time

Where is your brother? He is travelling.

I can't find “The Green Years” by A. Cronin at the library. They say the first-year students are reading it.

3. A continual process (with the adverbs always, constantly, ever), referring to any time

The Earth is constantly moving; it is rotating round the Sun.

4. The Present Continuous can be used to denote actions, states or qualities peculiar to the person at the given moment.

You are being rude, Tom. Your behaviour is killing your aunt.

It's spring. Birds are returning from the South.

5. Actions characteristic of a certain person within more or less long period of time. The action is usually represented as going on without an interval and there is an element of exaggeration, which is called forth by emotions (irritation, disapproval, impatience etc.). So such sentences are always emotionally coloured. The adverbs always and constantly are often used in them.

You are constantly talking at the lessons!

She is always grumbling.

6.Future actions

(a) in adverbial clauses of time and condition after the conjunctions when, while, as long as, if, in case, unless;

Will you make tea while I am finishing mу home task?

I'll pick you up at nine if you are still working at this time.

(b) mostly with the verbs of motion when the action is planned or intended and the future time is indicated:

— Are you leaving tomorrow? – Yes, and I' m coming back on Monday.

Note 1: The Present Indefinite, not the Present Continuous is used to denote actions going on at the present moment when the fact is more important than the process:

Why don't you answer? Why do you look at me so?

Note 2: The Present Continuous is not generally used with the verbs of sense perception, mental activity or emotional states and with some relational verbs and link verbs:

Do you hear me now? I think you are not right. I hate lemons.

The house now belongs to Mr. Sanford.

It can be used with the verb live to denote a temporary action:

She is living in London now.

Note 3: The Present Continuous is used in adverbial clauses of time after the conjunctions while, when, as long as to denote a period of time.

Never talk while you are eating. '

THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

(THE PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE)

FORMATION

The forms of the Present Perfect are analytical. They are formed by means of the Present Indefinite of the auxiliary verb have and participle II of the notional verb. There are the following contracted forms of the auxiliary verb have: ’ve, and ’s.

Affirmative	Interrogative
I have left (I’ve …) He, she, it has left (He’s …) We have left (We’ve …) You have left (You’ve …) They have left (They’ve …)	Have I left? Has he, she, it left? Have we left? Have you left? Have they left?

 

Negative	Negative-Interrogative
I have not (haven’t) left He, she, it has not (hasn’t) left We have not (haven’t) left You have not (haven’t) left They have not (haven’t) left	Have I not (haven’t I) left? Has he, she, it not (hasn’t he, she, it) left? Have we not (haven’t we) left? Have you not (haven’t you) left? Have they not (haven’t they) left?