60 min
Continuous Forms 2
1 topic
2 tasks
1.
Always / forever / constantly / continually / continuously
You are all too familiar with ALWAYS + Pr. Continuous that expresses annoyance.
Well, it’s not only ALWAYS, not only Present, and not only annoyance. That continuous structure is also used to emphasise the randomness of something happening.
Well, it’s not only ALWAYS, not only Present, and not only annoyance. That continuous structure is also used to emphasise the randomness of something happening.
- Aunt Lucy was always turning up without warning and bringing us presents.
- Now that I’ve got a Lada Kalina, I'mseeing them everywhere! (it just so happens, and I’m not hallucinating)
- When Alice comes to see me, I always meet her at the station. (a planned action)
- I'm always meeting Mrs Bail in the supermarket. (accidentally)
- When I was a child, we always had picnics on Saturdays in the summer. (pre-arranged)
- Her mother was always arranging little surprise picnics and outings. (spontaneous)
2.
As well as Present Simple, Present Continuous can be used for storytelling ('historical present').
- There's an old woman with thick glasses who's serving the hot drinks, so I go up to her and ask ...
3.
Most grammar textbooks elaborate on the use of Present Simple/Present Perfect in IF/WHEN clauses.
However, Present Continuous is possible there as well.
However, Present Continuous is possible there as well.
- She doesn't like to be disturbed if/when she's working.
- The postman usually comes when I'm having breakfast.
- You look lovely when you're smiling.
4.
Present Continuous, quite naturally, could be used for commentaries on longer actions, when the speaker has enough time to utter the verb TO BE combined with the -ING form.
- They're now entering the back straight and Johnson is starting to pull away from the other runners. (enough time to commentate)
- He crosses the line two seconds ahead of his closest rival. (not enough time to commentate)
5.
How do you say BE LATE in Present Continuous?
*I'm being late is wrong because it’s not about behaviour.
I’m going to be late is better.
I’m running late is the best.
*I'm being late is wrong because it’s not about behaviour.
I’m going to be late is better.
I’m running late is the best.
6.
There are also lexical means to express the 'continuous meaning':
I'm writing an essay.
He's always interrupting me.
The work is being done.
I'm writing an essay.
- I'm in the middle of writing an essay.
- I'm in the process of writing an essay.
- I'm busy writing an essay.
- I'm engaged in writing an essay.
He's always interrupting me.
- He keeps interrupting me.
The work is being done.
- The work is in progress.
- The work is in full swing.
- The work is at full throttle.
- The work is underway.
7.
And a couple of set phrases to top it off.
- be asking for trouble/it = behave in a way that will result in trouble
- be bouncing off the walls = have so much energy you can't sit still
- be dying for sth/to do sth = really want sth/to do sth
- be expecting a baby = be pregnant
- be getting on = to be becoming old
- be going places = be more and more successful
- be itching/bursting to = really want to do sth
- be jumping up and down = be angry or excited
- be working overtime = be too active
- can't be doing with = can't accept
- I hear what you are saying, but…
- I'm just looking. (in a shop)
- I'm not trying to say that… = I don't mean that…
- That's not saying much. = I'm not impressed/convinced.
- What are you driving at? = What do you mean?
- What are you trying to say? = What do you think you're doing?
- You must be joking/kidding.
END OF GUIDE
Don’t relax just yet — graded assignments are coming up.
Go ahead and move on to the task; you need to hone what you’ve learned.
Go ahead and move on to the task; you need to hone what you’ve learned.
