Linguistic Overview
In English Language Teaching, Continuous (or Progressive) is simply considered to be one part of certain tenses. However, in the field of linguistics, aspects are regarded as distinct from — yet connected to — the time reference defined by context. We can say that:
Tense = Time Reference + Aspect(s)
The value of regarding the Continuous Aspect on its own is that it can then be applied in the same way to the various tenses that feature it.
Timing
A verb with a Continuous tense lasts throughout the duration of the context. It probably starts before the beginning of the reference time, finishes after the end of the reference time, or both. For this reason, instantaneous verbs typically cannot be expressed in a Continuous tense.
It’s also important to know that a continuous verb does have a start point and and end point. Although those points may not be within the bounds of the context, they should be ‘within sight’. Verbs that are everlasting — or at least, that feel like they are — are not expressed with the Continuous Aspect.
Meaning
Although the terms ‘Continuous’ and ‘Progressive’ are used interchangeably in English Language Teaching, there is a slight distinction between the two. It’s helpful to understand both varieties, since the applications of both are important for English speakers and English learners. We’ll address them separately here, but beyond this section we will use the term ‘Continuous’ to refer to both varieties of this aspect.
Continuous
A verb that is Continuous is one that occurs around the time frame (and extending beyond the bounds) of the context, though it may potentially do so off-and-on. For example, “Priya is painting her house,” is a true statement even if she is relaxing or not even home right now. Perhaps when this sentence is expressed, the house is half-painted, so she still has some work to do. Since this ongoing task takes a while, it extends beyond the bounds of ‘right now’, and that’s what makes it Continuous.
Progressive
A verb that is Progressive is one that is in action during the time frame (and extending beyond the bounds) of the context. For example, “Patrick is painting his house right now,” may mean that at this very moment, Patrick is holding his brush and spreading paint across one of his walls. As we speak, the verb is ‘in progress’.
Considerations
Keep in mind that ‘Continuous’ and ‘Progressive’ are not mutually exclusive and that the line between them is hazy. There may be instances when a verb is clearly one or the other, but other instances in which they are both, or when it’s hard to tell. This is one of the main reasons that educators tend to simply lump these two together.
Whether you call this tense ‘Continuous’ or ‘Progressive’ (Insights uses the former), it’s important to be able to identify the two different meanings.
Form
BE + Active Participle
The Auxiliary BE
Every Continuous/Progressive tense must have some form of the auxiliary verb BE. That form is determined by (1) the auxiliary verb that precedes it, if any; by (2) whether the tense is past or not; or by (3) agreement with the subject.
- If the Continuous BE is the first auxiliary in the verb string:
- If the tense is past, …
- use the form ‘was’ for 1st-person and 3rd-person singular.
- use the form ‘were’ for 2nd-person singular and for plural.
- If the tense is not past, …
- use the form ‘am’ for 1st-person singular.
- use the form ‘are’ for 2nd-person singular and for plural.
- use the form ‘is’ for 3rd-person singular.
- If the tense is past, …
- If the Continuous BE is not the first auxiliary in the verb string:
- If there is a modal verb (including ‘will’) before it, use the form ‘be’.
- If there is a Perfect HAVE before it, use the form ‘been’.
The BE auxiliary, especially in its three present forms, can be contracted (as ‘m, ‘re or ‘s) with the subject before it.
The Active Participle
Whichever verb comes next in the verb chain should be in the Active Participle form. This is often the main verb of the clause. However, when the verb is also in the Passive Voice applies, the verb that follows the Continuous BE is another BE (this one for Passive). Therefore, the second BE should take the form ‘being’.
Any form of the Active Participle simply takes on the -ing suffix. See the Active Participles page for more details.
No Stative Verbs
Continuous tenses tend to place more emphasis on action than on non-Continuous verbs. By nature, Continuous/Progressive tenses may be applied to Action Verbs or Light Verbs, but generally not to Stative Verbs. Stative Verbs include static Linking Verbs (like ‘seem’, ‘feel’, or ‘is’), verbs of thoughts or emotions (like ‘know’, ‘care’, or ‘like’), and verbs of possession (like ‘have’ or ‘own’). Note that the stative quality may apply to some but not all definitions of the same word.
Applications
The Continuous Aspect maintains both its form and its meaning in all tenses that apply this aspect. Note the common features among all of the following tenses.
Furthermore, note that these tenses may or may not also have the Perfect Aspect. For the purposes of this page, we’ll regard Perfect verb constructions and non-Perfect verb constructions as two variations of the same tense.
Present Continuous Tenses
Present Continuous
The Present Continuous is more active than the Present Simple tense in most cases, as it typically conveys an action that is underway in the moment. Its form is ‘am’/’is’/’are’ + Active Participle. This tense is often used when the subject is still in the middle of its verb. Visit the Present Continuous page for more.
Example: “Clara is cleaning her room right now,” expresses Clara’s current action (and maybe explains why her parents won’t let he play with her friends just yet).
Present Perfect Continuous
The Present Perfect Continuous is similar to the Present Perfect tense in that they both express currently ongoing actions, but the former draws more attention to the fact that the verb began a while earlier. It is also more likely that there is some observable effect of the verb. Its form is ‘have’/’has’ + ‘been’ + Active Participle. This tense is often used to remark upon the verb’s duration. Visit the Present Perfect Continuous page for more.
Example: “I‘ve been slaving in the kitchen all day!” points to a past ongoing action that explains the current situation (that the subject is tired now, but also that there’s plenty of food to eat).
Past Continuous Tenses
Past Continuous
The Past Continuous tends to last for a longer period of time than an instantaneous verb, but doesn’t last indefinitely either. Its form is ‘was’/’were’ + Active Participle. This tense is often used for ongoing actions that are interrupted by shorter, sometimes immediate, actions or events. Visit the Past Continuous page for more.
Example: “Wanda was working in the garage when Ned knocked on her front door,” shows an ongoing action (work) that was interrupted by another event (knock).
Past Perfect Continuous
The Past Perfect Continuous is, once again, very similar to the Past Perfect tense, but it draws more attention to the duration of the verb. Its form is ‘had’ + ‘been’ + Active Participle. This tense is more likely refer to some effects of the verb than its non-Perfect counterpart.
Example: “Stan had been saving up his money all year,” explains why he was so disappointed when the long-awaited trip was cancelled.
Future Continuous Tenses
Future Continuous
A Future Continuous verb takes place during some time frame in the future, but it extends beyond that time frame as specified by the context. It can take different forms, but is most often ‘will’ + ‘be’ + Active Participle, or possibly be ‘going to’ + ‘be’ + Active Participle. This tense is often used to express plans, especially ones more detailed than plans expressed in the Future Simple tense.
Example: “We‘ll be waiting for you at the bus station,” asserts that the subjects will be ready for the visitor for a sustained period of time covering a wide range of minutes at which the bus is likely to arrive.
Future Perfect Continuous
Whereas the Future Continuous tense is focused in and around the designated future time frame, the Future Perfect Continuous tense generally calls a bit of attention to some period of time leading up to that time frame. The form of this tense is most commonly ‘will’ + ‘have’ + ‘been’ + Active Participle. Once again, this tense may express plans for the future, but applications of this particular tense are pretty rare.
Example: “By the end of this summer, I will have been working at the company for a decade,” draws attention to the length of time that the action took, but also points to a milestone for the specified time.
Anachronistic Continuous Tenses
Sometimes, the Present Continuous verb structure is used for an event or action that actually took place in the past or that will take place in the future.
- It may be used for past verbs during narratives that are meant to be more immersive for the audience. eg: “So I’m sitting on the bench, minding my own business, when all of the sudden three dogs burst out of the nearby bushes!”
- It may be used for future verbs when the event is considered a sure thing, like an appointment or other definitive plans. eg: “We’re meeting the Millers for dinner at 7pm tomorrow.”
In either situation, the time frame should be clear from the context or from time expressions (like ‘at 7pm tomorrow’) since the tense does none of the work of establishing the time reference.
Teaching Tips
What Makes it Continuous?
The first Continuous tense students are likely to encounter is the Present Continuous tense. As you revisit this tense or progress on to the Past Continuous tense and more, we encourage you to point out to the students — or eventually, ask the students to tell you — what makes the tense Continuous? It’s beneficial to recognize that our point of view tends to be somewhat narrow and that actions or events can extend beyond the scope of the time frame we’re considering. For this, we might use Continuous tenses.
If students can see the Continuous Aspect as one piece of a tense puzzle, then they can apply it to past and future tenses as well, and to tenses that are also Perfect.
Context
Establishing the particular time frame of a context is crucial. When does that time reference begin, and when does it end? How do we know whether a particular verb takes place before, during, or after the context, or maybe straddles the line? This might be particularly hard for some students to grasp when the context is not the present.
Drawing a timeline will often help.
It may be challenging to establish the context in a short period of time, especially if you are running through multiple examples, each with their own context. Instead, consider using a single context for several examples; establish a time frame and a general situation, then drop in different verbs that occur in different places relative to that time frame. This way, students can think less about the extent of the time frame and instead focus more on when the verbs occur relative to that time frame.
By the way, “when the verbs occur relative to the time frame” is practically the definition of aspect.
BE vs. BE
There should be a clear distinction between the Continuous BE and the Passive BE; otherwise, it may be easy to mix them up. Although the two are the same word, they take on different meanings when paired with their following participles (Active Participle for Continuous; Passive Participle for Passive) and play different roles in their verb string. It’s not common, but both BEs can be used in the verb string, which might make things a little tricky for some learners.
Understanding each BE apart from the other is crucial for applying both correctly.
Link Auxiliary and Participle
As we’ve seen, verbs with the Continuous Aspect consistently have BE followed by the Active Participle form, regardless of time frame, voice, and mood. The exact form of BE varies, and which of the verbs in that verb string should take on the Active Participle form depends on a few factors. But we know for certain that BE + Active Participle will always go together, side by side, in that order. Make sure students understand that this is a pair which cannot be separated.
Further Reading
| Related Concepts | Applied Grammar Topics |
|---|---|
Bibliography
- Radden, Günter and Dirven, René. Cognitive English Grammar. John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2007.
