How to Use the Present Continuous - English Verb Tenses Grammar Lesson

英语语法 — 现在进行式

Hello, I’m Jack.

您好，我是Jack。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

欢迎来到Oxford Online English！

In this lesson, you can learn about the present continuous verb tense in English.

在本节课里，您可以学到英文的 现代进行式动词时态。

We'll talk about all the possible meanings of the present continuous; whether you’re

我们会谈谈现在进行式的所有可能 的意思；无论您是初学者

a beginner or an advanced learner, you’re sure to find something new.

或进阶学习者，您都可以 找到某些新东西。

So, let's get into it!

那么，我们开始吧！

First, how can you form the present continuous?

首先，您怎么去构建现在进行式？

To form the present continuous, you use:

要组成现在进行式，您使用：

'be + verb + -ing'

“be + verb + -ing”

For example:

例如：

He’s washing his car.

He’s washing his car.

They’re watching a film.

They’re watching a film.

What about negatives and questions?

那否定和疑问呢？

To make negatives, add 'not' after 'be'.

要造否定形式，在“be”后面加"not"。

She isn’t doing anything.

She isn’t doing anything.

I’m not working on that right now.

I’m not working on that right now.

Now, to make questions, move the verb 'be' before the subject.

现在，来造疑问形式，移动动词“be” 到主语之前。

Is he doing anything?

Is he doing anything?

Are you talking to me?

Are you talking to me?

The same rule works if you ask a question with a question word like 'what', 'why', or

如果您使用疑问词像是“what”、“why” 或“how”来问一个问题，

'how'.

适用同样的规则。

Move the verb 'be' before the subject.

移动动词“be”到主语前面。

What are you watching?

What are you watching?

Where are they going?

Where are they going?

Now, you can see that to make questions in the present continuous, you don’t add anything.

现在，您能看到造现在进行式的 疑问句，您没加任何东西。

So don’t add words like 'do' or 'did'.

所以，不用加像是“do” 或“did”这样的单词。

Just change the order of the words!

只要改变单词的顺序！

So now you know how to form sentences and questions with the present continuous.

那么现在您知道怎么用现在 进行式去构建句子和疑问句。

But how do you use it?

但是您怎么使用它呢？

One use is for something happening right now.

一种用法是用于某些现在 正在发生的事情。

This is the most basic use of the present continuous.

这是现在进行式 最基本的用法。

He’s washing his car.

He’s washing his car.

They’re watching a film.

They’re watching a film.

These sentences are talking about something which is happening at this moment.

这些句子在谈论某些此时 正在发生的事情。

Now, we can also use the present continuous to talk about something which has started

现在，我们也可以使用现在进行式 来谈论某些已经

but not finished.

开始但仍未结束的事情。

This sounds similar to the last point.

这听起来与最后一个重点相似。

If we say:

如果我们说：

He’s washing his car.

He’s washing his car.

This means he’s started washing his car, but he hasn’t finished yet.

这意思是他开始洗他的车了， 但是他还没有结束。

So what’s the difference?

那么，区别是什么？

Why is this separate to the last point?

为什么这点与最后一个重点是分开的？

It’s different because we can also use the present continuous in this way to talk about

那是不同的，因为我们也能以这种方式 使用现在进行式来

things which are not happening right now.

谈论现在没有发生的事情。

For example:

例如：

I’m reading a good book at the moment.

I’m reading a good book at the moment.

She’s looking for a new apartment.

She’s looking for a new apartment.

If I say, "I’m reading a good book at the moment," I don’t mean that I’m reading

如果我说"I’m reading a good book at the moment," ，我不是说

right now, at this minute.

我现在此刻正在读。

I mean that I’ve started a book and I haven’t finished it yet.

我是说我开始读一本书， 我还没有读完它。

In the same way, "She’s looking for a new apartment" doesn’t mean that she’s out

用相同的方式，"She’s looking for a new apartment" 不是说她

looking for an apartment this minute.

现在正在寻找一间公寓。

It means she’s started looking for an apartment, but she hasn’t found one yet.

那是说她开始寻找一间公寓， 但是她还没有找到。

In these examples, we use the present continuous to talk about things happening around this

在这些事例里，我们使用现在 进行式来谈论大致是目前

moment, not necessarily at this specific moment.

正在发生的事情，不必指 这个特定的时刻。

Next, describing a picture.

接下来，描述一幅画。

If you have a picture or a photo, and you want to describe it to someone, you use the

如果您有一幅画或一张照片， 您想向某人描述它，

present continuous.

您使用现在进行式。

A picture or a photo is like a moment in time.

一幅画或一张照片就像是一个时刻。

That’s why we use the continuous form to talk about it.

那就是为什么我们使用进行式 形式来谈论它。

For example, here, we can use the present continuous to talk about what we see:

例如，在这里，我们可以使用现在 进行式来谈论我们看到了什么：

They are sitting on a beam, high above the city.

They are sitting on a beam, high above the city.

The two men on the left are smoking.

The two men on the left are smoking.

Some of them are eating sandwiches.

Some of them are eating sandwiches.

It doesn't matter that the picture was taken a long time ago.

这张照片是我们在很久 以前拍的没关系。

We can still use the present continuous to describe it.

我们仍然能用现在 进行式来描述它。

Next, talking about something temporary or different from usual.

接下来，谈论某些临时的或与 平常不同的东西。

So, another use of the present continuous is to show that something is temporary.

所以，现在进行式的另一种用法 是来显示某些事是临时的。

Look at these two sentences:

看这两个句子：

He lives with his parents.

He lives with his parents.

He’s living with his parents.

He’s living with his parents.

What’s the difference?

区别是什么？

Why would you use the present continuous here?

为什么您要在这里使用现在进行式？

In these sentences, the present continuous shows that the situation is temporary.

在这些句子里，现在进行式显示 情形是临时的。

If you say "He lives with his parents," you mean that this is permanent.

如果您说"He lives with his parents," ， 您是说这是长期的。

If you say, "He’s living with his parents," you mean that this is a temporary situation.

如果您说"He’s living with his parents,"， 您是说这是一个临时的情形。

Maybe he’s living with his parents while he saves enough money to get his own place.

也许他和他的父母住在一起，他一攒 够了钱，会有他自己的地方。

Let’s look at one more example here:

在这里，我们再看一个事例：

She works in the marketing department.

She works in the marketing department.

She’s working in the marketing department.

She’s working in the marketing department.

Is the difference clear now?

区别现在清楚了吗？

If you say, "She works in the marketing department," you mean that this is her permanent job.

如果您说 "She works in the marketing department,"，您是说这是她的长久工作。

If you say, "She’s working in the marketing department," you mean that she normally works

如果您说 "She’s working in the marketing department," ，您是说她通常在

somewhere else.

其他某个地方工作。

She’s just working in the marketing department temporarily.

她只是临时地在营销部门工作。

Next, talking about a changing situation.

接下来，谈论一个改变的情形。

I understand there are a lot of ways to use the present continuous!

我明白有很多方法来使用 现在进行式！

Remember that you don’t have to learn all of this at once.

记住您不必一次 就学完所有的。

This video will still be here; take a break and review what we’ve done so far if you

视频仍然在这；休息一下，如果 您需要，并复习到目前

need to.

为止我们所学的。

Now, you can also use the present continuous to talk about a situation which is changing

现在，您也可以使用现在进行式来 谈论一个随时间

over time.

变化的情形。

For example:

例如：

The population of our city is growing by around 5% a year.

The population of our city is growing by around 5% a year.

My English is slowly getting better.

My English is slowly getting better.

The river used to be really polluted, but it’s getting cleaner.

The river used to be really polluted, but it’s getting cleaner.

In all of these examples, we’re talking about a change which is happening over time,

在所有这些例句里，我们在谈论 一个随着时间推移而正在

and which will probably continue into the future.

发生的改变， 并且有可能在将来会继续。

If I say:

如果我说：

The population of our city is growing by around 5% a year.

The population of our city is growing by around 5% a year.

This means that I expect the population to continue growing, at least for the next few

这是说我期望人口继续 增长，至少在之后的

years.

几年里。

OK, so you’ve seen how the present continuous can be used to talk about: things happening

好，所以您看到了现在进行式 能怎样用于谈论：现在正在

now; things which have started but not finished; describing pictures; talking about temporary

发生的事情；已经开始但未结束的 事情；描述图片；谈论临时的

situations; talking about changing situations.

情形；谈论正在改变的情形。

All of the meanings we’ve seen so far are similar.

所有我们在这之前看到的 是相似的。

They are all about something happening around a moment in time.

它们都是与在大约某个时刻 发生的事情有关。

However, there are also some other ways to use the present continuous which are completely

然而，也有一些完全不同的使用 现在进行式的

different.

其他方式。

Let’s look at a very important one:

我们看看非常重要的一个：

Talking about arrangements in the future.

谈论在未来的安排。

Many English learners use 'will' to talk about the future, but 'will' can’t be used for

很多英语学习者使用“will”来谈论 将来，但是不能每件事

everything.

都用“will”。

Actually, the present continuous is one of the most common ways to talk about the future

实际上，现在进行式是英文里 谈论未来的最常见的

in English.

方式之一。

If you have a solid plan or arrangement, meaning you know where and/or when something will

如果您有一个固定的计划或安排， 这意味着您知道某事将在

happen, you can use the present continuous to talk about it.

何处和/或何时发生，您可以使用 现在进行式来谈论它。

Here are some examples:

在这里是一些例句：

We’re meeting outside the cinema at 8.00.

We’re meeting outside the cinema at 8.00.

They’re coming to ours for dinner on Saturday.

They’re coming to ours for dinner on Saturday.

What are you doing next weekend?

What are you doing next weekend?

It’s very common to use the present continuous when you talk about plans for the near future,

当您谈论关于不久将来的计划、 社交计划等等时，使用

social plans, and so on.

现在进行式是很常见的。

Talking about something strange or annoying.

谈论某些奇怪或烦人的事情。

Now we’re getting to more specialised, less common uses of the present continuous.

现在，我们正开始看现在进行式的 更专门的、少见的用法。

Using the present continuous together with adverbs like 'always', 'constantly' or 'continually'

现在进行式与副词像是“always”、 “constantly”或“continually”一起

can show that you find a repeated action annoying or strange.

搭配使用，能表明您觉得一个重复的 行为是烦人的或奇怪的。

For example:

例如：

He’s always forgetting to bring the things he needs.

He’s always forgetting to bring the things he needs.

They’re constantly gossiping about me behind my back.

They’re constantly gossiping about me behind my back.

My boss is continually interrupting me while I’m trying to work.

My boss is continually interrupting me while I’m trying to work.

So, if you say:

所以，如果您说：

He’s always forgetting to bring the things he needs.

He’s always forgetting to bring the things he needs.

You means that he often forgets to bring things, and you find this strange or annoying.

您是说他通常忘记带东西，您觉得 这是奇怪的或烦人的。

This use of the present continuous is unusual, because we’re using the present continuous

现在进行式的这个用法是特殊的， 因为我们在用现在进行式

to talk about a repeated action or a habit, and we don’t normally do that.

来谈论一个重复的行为或 习惯，我们一般来说不那么做。

So you must use an adverb in these sentences.

所以，您必须在这些句子里使用一个副词。

You can’t say:

您不能说：

He’s forgetting to bring the things he needs.

He’s forgetting to bring the things he needs.

To give it the meaning of something which you find strange/annoying, you need an adverb.

要给出您觉得某事奇怪或烦人的意思， 您需要一个副词。

So, 'always' is the most common adverb to use in these sentences.

所以，“always”是最常见的使用在 这些句子里的副词。

OK, we’re nearly there!

好，我们快结束了！

One more to go:

还有一个要看的：

The last use is talking about feelings which you are starting to be aware of.

最后一个用法是谈论您开始 意识到的感觉。

Now again, this is a very specialised, less common way to use the present continuous.

现在，同样，这是一个非常专门、不常见 的使用现在进行式的方式。

What does it mean?

那是什么意思？

Think about these two sentences:

想想这两个句子：

I realise I made the wrong decision.

I realise I made the wrong decision.

I’m realising I made the wrong decision.

I’m realising I made the wrong decision.

Now, they’re both possible, but what’s the difference?

现在，它们两者都有可能， 但是区别是什么？

In the first sentence:

在首句：

I realise I made the wrong decision.

I realise I made the wrong decision.

Your realisation is not a new feeling.

您的领悟不是一种新感觉。

However, when you say:

然而，当您说：

I’m realising I made the wrong decision.

I’m realising I made the wrong decision.

You mean that you are just starting to think about this.

您是说您刚刚开始考虑这个。

The feeling -- that you made the wrong decision -- is still growing on you.

感觉 — 您做了错误的决定 — 仍然在您脑海里滋生。

Let’s do one more example:

我们再多做一个例子：

I find it difficult to work with him.

I find it difficult to work with him.

I’m finding it difficult to work with him.

I’m finding it difficult to work with him.

Can you see the difference?

您可以找出区别吗？

Again, if you say:

同样，如果您说：

I find it difficult to work with him.

I find it difficult to work with him.

This isn't something new for you.

这对您来说不是什么新鲜事。

You generally find him difficult, and you dislike working with him.

您通常觉得他难搞，并且您 不喜欢和他一起工作。

If you say:

如果您说：

I’m finding it difficult to work with him.

I’m finding it difficult to work with him.

This means that you are just starting to realise how difficult he is, and how you dislike working

这意思是您刚刚开始领悟到他是 多么难搞，您多么不喜欢

with him.

和他一起工作。

These feelings are new to you, I guess.

我猜，这些感觉对您来说是新的。

OK, that’s the end of the lesson.

好了，本节课到此结束了。

There’s a lot of information in this video, so you might find it useful to review some

在这个视频里有大量的信息，所以 您也许找有用的，来再次

parts of this video again.

复习这个视频的一些部分。

If you want to practice this some more, check out the full version of the lesson on our

如果您想练习这个更多些， 在我们的网页上看

website.

课程的完整版本。

The full lesson contains notes, the full script, and a quiz to help you practise this topic.

完整的课程包含笔记、全部脚本和帮您 练习这个主题的随堂小测验。

That’s all for now.

目前到此为止了。

Thanks very much for watching, and see you next time!

非常感谢观看，下次见！