Continuous tense
★ Present Continuous ★
▶FORM
am/is/are + present participle
▶ Now
Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening now.
▷ I am sitting.
▶ Longer Actions in Progress Now
In English, «now» can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.
▷ I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
▶ Near Future
Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.
▷ I am not going to the party tonight.
▶ Repetition and Irritation with «Always»
The Present Continuous with words such as «always» or «constantly» expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words «always» or «constantly» between «be» and «verb+ing.»
▷ She is always coming to class late.
★ Past Continuous ★
▶ FORM
was/were + present participle
▶ Interrupted Action in the Past
Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.
▷ While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.
▶ Specific Time as an Interruption
In first point, described above, the Past Continuous is interrupted by a shorter action in the Simple Past. However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.
▷ Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work.
▶ Parallel Actions
When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
▷ Were you listening while he was talking?
▶ Atmosphere
In English, we often use a series of parallel actions to describe the atmosphere at a particular time in the past.
▷ When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped. One customer was yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. Others were complaining to each other about the bad service.
★ Future Continuous ★
Future Continuous has two different forms: «will be doing » and «be going to be doing.» Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Continuous forms are usually interchangeable.
▶FORM Future Continuous with «Will»
will be + present participle
▷ Will you be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
▶FORM Future Continuous with «Be Going To »
am/is/are + going to be + present participle
▷ You are going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
▶ Interrupted Action in the Future
Use the Future Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the future will be interrupted by a shorter action in the future. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.
▷ I will be watching TV when she arrives tonight.
▶ Specific Time as an Interruption in the Future
In first point, described above, the Future Continuous is interrupted by a short action in the future. In addition to using short actions as interruptions, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.
▷ Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.
▶ Parallel Actions in the Future
When you use the Future Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions will be happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
▷ I am going to be studying and he is going to be making dinner.
▶ Atmosphere in the Future
