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

英文文法 — 現在進行式

Hello, I’m Jack.

您好，我是Jack。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

歡迎來到Oxford Online English！

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

在本節課裡，您可以學到英文的 現在進行式動詞時態。

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

我們會談談現在進行式所有可能 的意思；無論您是初學者

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

或進階學習者，您都可以 找到某些新東西。

So, let's get into it!

那麼，我們開始吧！

First, how can you form the present continuous?

首先，您怎麼去造現在進行式句子？

To form the present continuous, you use:

要造現在進行式句子，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?

那否定形式和疑問形式呢？

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

要造否定形式句子，在“be”後面加"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.

現在，來造疑問形式句子，移動動詞“be” 到主詞之前。

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

如果您使用疑問詞像是“what”、“why” 或“how”來問一個問題，

'how'.

適用相同的規則。

Move the verb 'be' before the subject.

移動動詞“be”到主詞前面。

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.

現在，您能看到現在進行式的 疑問句，您沒有加任何東西。

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

所以，不用添加像是“do” 或“did”這樣的單字。

Just change the order of the words!

只要改變單字的順序！

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

那麼，現在您知道怎麼用現在 進行式去造一般句子和疑問句。

But how do you use it?

但是您怎麼使用它呢？

One use is for something happening right now.

一種用法是用於某些現在 正在發生的事情。

This is the most basic use of the present continuous.

這是現在進行式 最基礎的用法。

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.

這些例句在談論某些此時 正在發生的事情。

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

現在，我們也可以使用現在進行式 來談論某些已經

but not finished.

開始但仍未結束的事情。

This sounds similar to the last point.

這聽起來與最後一個要點相似。

If we say:

如果我們說：

He’s washing his car.

He’s washing his car.

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

這意思是他開始洗他的車了， 但是他還沒有結束。

So what’s the difference?

那麼，區別是什麼？

Why is this separate to the last point?

為什麼這點與最後一個重點是分開的？

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

那是不同的，因為我們也能以這種方式 使用現在進行式來

things which are not happening right now.

談論現在沒有發生的事情。

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

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

right now, at this minute.

我此刻正在讀。

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

我是說我開始讀一本書， 我還沒有讀完它。

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" 不是說她

looking for an apartment this minute.

現在正在尋找一間公寓。

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

而是說她開始尋找一間公寓， 但是她還沒有找到。

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

在這些事例裡，我們使用現在 進行式來談論大致是目前

moment, not necessarily at this specific moment.

正在發生的事情，不必指 這個特定的時刻。

Next, describing a picture.

接下來，描述一幅畫。

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

如果您有一幅畫或一張照片， 您想向某人描述它，

present continuous.

您使用現在進行式。

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

一幅畫或一張照片就像是一個時刻。

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

那就是為什麼我們使用進行式 形式來談論它。

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

例如，在這裡，我們可以使用現在 進行式來談論我們看到了什麼：

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.

這張照片是我們在很久 以前拍的沒有關係。

We can still use the present continuous to describe it.

我們仍然可以用現在 進行式來描述它。

Next, talking about something temporary or different from usual.

接下來，談論某些臨時的或與 平常不同的東西。

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

所以，現在進行式的另一種用法 是表達某些事是臨時的。

Look at these two sentences:

看這兩個例句：

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?

區別是什麼？

Why would you use the present continuous here?

為什麼您要在這裡使用現在進行式？

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

在這些例句裡，現在進行式表達了 情形是臨時的。

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

如果您說"He lives with his parents," ， 您是說這件事是長期的。

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

如果您說"He’s living with his parents,"， 您是說這是一個臨時的情形。

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

也許他和他的父母住在一起，他一旦 攢夠了錢，會有他自己的地方。

Let’s look at one more example here:

在這裡，我們再看一個事例：

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?

現在清楚區別在哪裡了嗎？

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

如果您說 "She works in the marketing department,"，您是說這是她的長久工作。

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

如果您說 "She’s working in the marketing department," ，您是說她通常在

somewhere else.

其他某個地方上班。

She’s just working in the marketing department temporarily.

她只是臨時在行銷部門上班。

Next, talking about a changing situation.

接下來，談論一個改變的情形。

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

我明白有很多方法來使用 現在進行式！

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

記住您不必一次 就學完所有的。

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

影片仍然會在這裡；休息一下，如果 您有需要，複習到目前

need to.

為止我們學到的。

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

現在，您也可以使用現在進行式來 談論一個隨著時間

over time.

轉變而變化的情形。

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,

在所有這些例句裡，我們在談論 一個隨著時間的推移而正在

and which will probably continue into the future.

發生的改變， 並且有可能在將來會繼續。

If I say:

如果我說：

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

這是說我期望人口繼續 增長，至少在今後的

years.

幾年內。

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

好，所以您看到現在進行式 可以怎麼用來談論：現在正在

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

發生的事情；已經開始但未結束 的事情；描述圖片；談論臨時的

situations; talking about changing situations.

情形；談論正在改變的情形。

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

所有我們在這之前所看到的 是相似的。

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

它們都是與在大約某個時刻 發生的事情相關聯。

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 現在進行式的

different.

其他方式。

Let’s look at a very important one:

我們看看非常重要的一個：

Talking about arrangements in the future.

談論在未來的安排。

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

很多英文學習者使用“will”來談論 將來，但是不能每件事

everything.

都使用“will”。

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

實際上，現在進行式是英文裡 談論未來的最常見

in English.

方式之一。

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

如果您有一個固定的計畫或安排， 這意味著您知道某件事會在

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

何處和/或何時發生，您可以使用 現在進行式來談論它。

Here are some examples:

在這裡有一些例句：

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,

當您談論與不久的將來有關的計畫、 社交計劃等等時，使用

social plans, and so on.

現在進行式是很常見的。

Talking about something strange or annoying.

談論某些奇怪或煩人的事情。

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

現在，我們正開始看現在進行式的 更專門的、少見的用法。

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

現在進行式與副詞像是“always”、 “constantly”或“continually”一起

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

搭配使用，能夠表達您覺得一個重複的 行為是煩人的，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，如果您說：

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.

您是說他通常忘記帶東西，您覺得 這是奇怪的，或煩人的。

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

現在進行式的這個用法是特殊的， 因為我們在用現在進行式

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

來談論一個重複的行為或 習慣，我們一般來說不會那樣做。

So you must use an adverb in these sentences.

所以，您必須在這些句子裡使用一個副詞。

You can’t say:

您不能說：

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.

要給出您覺得某事奇怪或煩人的意思， 您需要一個副詞。

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

所以，“always”是最常見的使用在 這些句子裡的副詞。

OK, we’re nearly there!

好，我們快結束了！

One more to go:

還有一個重點要看的：

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

最後一個用法是談論您開始 意識到的感覺。

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

現在，同樣，這是一個非常專門的、不常用 的使用現在進行式的方式。

What does it mean?

那是什麼意思？

Think about these two sentences:

想想這兩個例句：

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?

現在，它們兩者都有可能， 但是區別是什麼？

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.

您的領悟不是一種新感覺。

However, when you say:

然而，當您說：

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.

您是說您剛剛開始考慮這個。

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

感覺 — 您做了錯誤的決定 — 仍然在您的腦海裡滋生。

Let’s do one more example:

我們再多做一個例句：

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?

您可以找出區別嗎？

Again, if you say:

同樣，如果您說：

I find it difficult to work with him.

I find it difficult to work with him.

This isn't something new for you.

這對您來說不是什麼新鮮事情。

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

您通常會覺得他難應付，並且您 不喜歡和他一起工作。

If you say:

如果您說：

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

這意思是您剛剛開始領悟到他是 多麼的難應付，您是多麼的不喜歡

with him.

和他一起工作。

These feelings are new to you, I guess.

我猜，這些感覺對您來說是新的。

OK, that’s the end of the lesson.

好了，本節課就到此結束了。

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

在這個影片裡有大量的資訊，所以 您也許要找有用的，來再次

parts of this video again.

複習這個影片的某些部分。

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

如果您想練習這個更多一點， 在我們的網頁上看

website.

課程的完整版本。

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

完整的課程包括筆記、全部腳本和幫您 練習這個主題的隨堂小測驗。

That’s all for now.

目前就到這了。

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

非常感謝觀看，下次見！