Continuous verb forms

Continuous verb forms

Continuous verb forms

1.

General uses: We use them to describe actions which we see a. happening over a period of time, in progress. Im doing a cookery course Ive been trying to phone you all this week. Well be waiting for you outside when your train arrives. b. as temporary situations. Im living in my parents house until I can buy a house by myself c. happening over a point of time. At ten oclock Ill be making my hair cut, so I was wondering if you could come later. d. involving change o development. She was getting more disobedient every day Theres no doubt the world is going global day by day. e. incomplete. Ive been reading a book about the Civil War. (I havent finished it yet) I was having a bath when you phoned The important things are: the sense of duration (with simple verb forms, we are not interested in this. Weve been waiting for you much more time. Next time, please, hurry up Weve waited until he came (important thing: weve been waiting) the idea of incompletion (especially with continuous perfect forms. Simple perfect forms emphasises the idea of completion and therefore the result or the action) Ive been painting for two hours and I havent finished an only room. Ive painted the room (the important thing is the action itself) The Continuous infinitive (to) +-ing emphasises that an action is in progress at a particular time. Wherever you go nowadays, everyone seems to be speaking English. (They are speaking English when you hear them) Wherever you go nowadays everyone seems to speak English . (They are generally able to speak English)

2.

Special uses: a. Always + Continuous forms This stresses the repetitiveness of the action and often indicates that the speaker finds the repeated action surprising, strange or irritating. We use constantly, forever, continually. She was always criticising me The new technology is constantly changing b. Past Continuous for polite request I was wondering if you could recommend a good book. I was hopping you might help me with this application form. c. Present Continuous for future arrangements There is usually a time phrase in the sentence or it is clear from the context that we are talking about future. What are you doing over Christmas? d. With modal verbs The continuous infinitive can give a different meaning from the simple infinitive. They might be staying at the Sheraton Hotel (present possibility) They might stay at the Sheraton Hotel (future possibility). They must be having a party (logical deduction or necessity). They must have a party soon (personal obligation).

Continuous verb forms

3.

Verbs which change meaning in continuous and simple forms a. State verbs Verbs which describe states only occur in the simple form. b. Be Verbs of possession and unchangeable states (have, weigh, measure, fit) Verbs to do with the senses (appear, see, look, smell, taste) Verbs describing thoughts and processes (think, feel, expect)

The verb to be occurs in the continuous form when it refers to behaviour which is temporary and/ or deliberate. Is being cannot be used when there is no volition involved (deliberate will). Why is everybody so unhelpful? (They are normally like this: is a state) Why is everybody being so unhelpful? (They are not normally like this, only now). It looks like if you were going to fail. No one appears to notice me Its appears that she has changed his mind. There appears to be very little we can do about it. I see a bright light. I think thats all. I expect youre not tired. I have always admired you. It weighs 82kg and measures 3 metres. These jeans dont fit me any more. He was looking at the girl with the black suit. Hes appearing in public for the firs time. Im seeing Thomas tonight. I was thinking about what to say. I am expecting an important phone call. I was just admiring the new building. The nurse is weighing measuring the baby. and

c.

Verbs to describe states or actions If the verbs above are used in the continuous form, they become actions of some sort.

d.

Some verbs have a different meaning in their continuous and simple forms: States Look Appear See Think Expect Admired Weigh Have Fit seem seem with my eyes suppose, guess imagine have a good opinion of is a fact posses its not the correct size Look at Performing Meeting Considering Waiting for Look at with appreciation An activity Taking installing Actions

My friend is fitting my new computer.