Continuous Forms

Common Mistakes

He is thinking that politics is a waste of time.

He thinks that politics is a waste of time.

The dog is smelling. She needs a wash.

The dog smells. She needs a wash.

She’s talked on the phone all morning - when is she going to stop?

She’s been talking on the phone all morning - when is she going to stop?

Last weekend I didn’t do anything because my girlfriend worked.

Last weekend I didn’t do anything because my girlfriend was working.

We went for a walk but after an hour it was raining.

We went for a walk but after an hour it started to rain / it rained.

He has two dogs. = He owns / possesses two dogs.

He is having lunch with her today. = He has made a future arrangement to eat with her.

They asked me what I do / did. = They wanted to know what my job is / was.

They asked me what I was doing there. = They wanted to know why I was there at that particular moment.

As I was telling you ... = I didn’t finish what I wanted to tell you.

As I told you ... = I finished what I wanted to tell you but now I want to refer to it again.

He’s been talking on the phone all morning. (He is still talking now).

I’ve talked to her and we’ve resolved the matter. (I am not talking to her now)

I have been doing my homework that’s why I am so tired. Mother: But have you finished it?

I have done my homework so can I play now? Mother: That’s great, of course you can.

Some types of verb are not generally used in the continuous form. They describe states (situations which don’t change) rather than actions (things which change): believe, forget, imagine, know, mean, notice, recognize, remember, think (i.e. have an opinion), understand. Also verbs that are used to express senses and perception: feel, hear, see, seem, look, smell, taste. However some of these verbs can be used in the continuous form, but with a different meaning e.g. I see (understand) what you mean vs I am seeing her tomorrow (I have an appointment). What do you think? (What is your opinion?) What are you thinking about? (what’s going on in your head?)

Continuous forms are used to talk about i) an incomplete action: I have been writing emails all morning, but I haven’t finished yet; ii) a temporary situation that is going on at this moment or was going on at a particular moment in the past. Examples: You are reading an explanation of the present continuous. I usually worked in my own office, but on that occasion I was working in Carol’s office.

The present continuous is also used to talk about future arrangements. Examples: I am going there tomorrow. She is seeing him tonight.

The present perfect continuous is also used to give an explanation for a present situation. Example: Why are you covered in ink? I’ve been repairing the photocopier.

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