На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать грубую лексику.
На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать разговорную лексику.
присутствовать в настоящем моменте
присутствовал в данный момент
We can turn our focus to specific aspects of our experience to help us be present in the moment.
I am learning to be present in the moment.
This not only allows you to be present in the moment, but it allows you the needed time to rest and recover.
How to be present in the moment.
I want to give them experiences that cause them to completely forget about electronics and just to be present in the moment.
Я хочу дать им опыт, который заставит их полностью забыть об электронике и просто жить в данный момент.
I was able to be less stressed about the eventual outcome and instead just be present in the moment.
If they’re too tied to a specific result, they can’t be present in the moment.
I try to live mindfully and be present in the moment.
Ability to focus and be present in the moment
About this video to notice what is around you and be present in the moment.
One of the things parents can do is just be present in the moment.
Mourning can feel like it takes up every minute of each day, making it hard to be present in the moment.
During a seated meditation, try to allow yourself 15 to 20 minutes of time to be present in the moment.
Instead, just be present in the moment we would have solved a lot of the problems.
It’s worth putting yourself in their shoes once in a while, which will help you come back down to earth and be present in the moment.
Something that makes us stop and be present in the moment.
Try to be present in the moment, whether you are at work or at home.
When you are having a particularly good day, be present in the moment a little while longer and be thankful for how good you feel.
Когда у вас будет особенно хороший день, будьте в данный момент немного дольше и будьте благодарны за то, насколько хорошо вы себя чувствуете.
Brewer found that people who meditate are able to link up other parts of their brains to monitor activity in the default mode network that tell them to get back on task when distractions arise and be present in the moment.
Брюер обнаружил, что люди, которые занимаются медитацией, способны привлекать к работе другие области мозга, которые могут контролировать деятельность сети пассивного режима, «приказав» ей вернуться к выполнению задачи, когда возникает отвлечение внимания, и сконцентрироваться на настоящем моменте.
How can we be present in the moment and not hurry past it?
Результатов: 28. Точных совпадений: 28. Затраченное время: 139 мс
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Спряжение
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Индекс слова: 1-300, 301-600, 601-900
Индекс выражения: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200
Индекс фразы: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200
- Live for the moment
- Live for today
- Live for now
- Live for the here and now
All of these idioms mean roughly the same thing, and I think the single-word you are looking for is mindfulness.
«Mindfulness» is defined as «a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique».
Also note this recent article from Psychology Today which says «Living in the moment—also called mindfulness—is a state of active, open, intentional attention on the present.»
Alternatively, but a little more highbrow, you might consider:
«Epicureanism» — a Greek philosophy from around 307BCE. I’m sure there was a lot more to the philosophy, but today it is most widely known in pop culture for the saying «eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die».
Вы изучили все аспекты времен в английском языке, но, составляя текст, чувствуете неуверенность в правильном выборе грамматической основы? Подобные чувства испытывают практически все люди, изучающие английский. Но мало кто знает о небольшой хитрости, которая избавляет от постоянного страха ошибок и придает уверенности в своих знаниях. Речь идет про сигнальные слова, связанные с конкретным временным аспектом. Сегодня мы подробно познакомимся с этим явлением и постараемся запомнить весь список подсказок. А поможет изучить маркеры времени в английском языке таблица, которую мы составили специально для данного материала. Но для начала следует понять, как работают эти сигналы.
Содержание
- Что такое указатели времени?
- Сигнальные слова для Simple
- Present
- Past
- Future
- Маркеры времени для Continuous
- Present
- Past
- Future
- Индикаторы употребления Perfect
- Present
- Past
- Future
- Указатели времени для Perfect Continuous
- Маркеры времени в английском языке таблица (c переводом слов)
Что такое указатели времени?
Обстоятельства в английском языке не просто выражают условия и время, но еще и выступают как индикаторы для употребления определенного аспекта. Давайте проследим эту взаимосвязь на практике.
- I go to the gym every Friday – Я хожу в спортивный зал каждую пятницу.
Обратите внимание на словосочетание every Friday. Именно оно указывает на то, что в предложении необходимо употребить Present simple, а не, например, Present Perfect. Если мы заменим эти указатели времени, то изменится и грамматическое построение всего предложения.
- I haven’t gone to the gym this week – Я не ходил в спортивный зал на этой неделе.
Примеры доказывают влияние обстоятельств на употребление того или иного аспекта. Но, сразу оговоримся, что не все показатели времени употребляются только с одним аспектом. Они не панацея, но достаточно твердая опора для тех, кто изучает английский не так давно.
Далее узнаем, какие бывают подсказки у отдельных аспектов. Слова можно не выписывать, т.к. в конце материала обобщит все маркеры времени в английском языке единая таблица всех глагольных времен.
Сигнальные слова для Simple
Простые времена связаны с периодичностью, регулярностью или постоянством. Соответственно, сходным должно быть и значение их маркеров. Приведем список обстоятельственных спутников для разных аспектов группы Simple и примеры их употребления.
Present
Настоящее время связано со следующими подсказками:
- usually (обычно), regularly (регулярно);
- often (часто), as a rule (как правило);
- seldom (редко), rarely (очень редко);
- always (всегда), sometimes (иногда), from time to time (время от времени);
- every day/week/month (каждый день, каждую неделю, каждый месяц).
Примеры:
- I rarely use metro – Я очень редко пользуюсь метро.
- She usually doesn’t watch TV in the morning – Она обычно не смотрит утром телевизор.
- They always send Christmas cards to their friends – Они всегда отправляют своим друзьям рождественские открытки.
Past
Для простого прошедшего характерны такие спутники, как:
- ago (давно, лет назад), in those times (в те времена);
- that day (в тот день), the other day (на днях);
- yesterday( вчера), the day before yesterday (позавчера);
- last Friday/week/month (в прошлую пятницу, на прошлой неделе, в прошлом месяце).
Примеры:
- The incident happened the day before yesterday – Этот случай произошел позавчера.
- They met the other day – Они встретились на днях.
- I saw it last week – Я видел это на прошлой неделе.
Future
На употребление простого будущего указывают следующие маркеры времени в английском языке:
- tomorrow (завтра), the day after tomorrow (послезавтра);
- soon (скоро), one of these days (на днях);
- in a week/month (через неделю, через месяц);
- next week/year/ (на следующей неделе, в следующем месяце);
- in the near future (в ближайшем будущем).
Примеры:
- It will be hot tomorrow – Завтра будет жарко.
- My grandfather will visit us soon – Мой дедушка скоро навестит нас.
- We will go to Italy next week – На следующей неделе мы поедем в Италию.
Маркеры времени для Continuous
Для аспектов группы Continuous, или как их еще называют Progressive, характерно указание конкретного времени или (в редких случаях) временного промежутка.
Present
Настоящее продолженное время описывают такие обстоятельства, как:
- now (сейчас), right now (прямо сейчас);
- at the moment (в данный момент);
- at present (в настоящее время);
- next (в следующем(ую), soon (скоро)*
- constantly (постоянно), always (всегда)**
*Данные указатели времени используются в том случае, когда речь идет о запланированном будущем, а в предложении используются либо глаголы движения, либо оборот to be going to.
**Обозначение регулярности применяется в продолженном времени для выражения раздражения и недовольства от каких-либо постоянно происходящих действий (напр. вредных привычек).
Примеры:
- We are playing chess now – Мы сейчас играем в шахматы.
- My friend is leaving soon – Мой друг скоро уезжает.
- Jane is always losing her gloves! – Джейн постоянно теряет свои перчатки!
Past
Прошедшие события также помечаются конкретным указанием времени:
- at 10 o’clock yesterday (вчера в 10 часов);
- while (в то время, как…), when* (когда);
- the whole day (целый день);
- still (все еще), all day long (на протяжении всего дня).
*when является союзом, присоединяющим придаточное предложение, поэтому может использоваться с различными аспектами времени.
Примеры:
- While I was cleaning my room, Jack was cooking supper – Пока я убиралась в своей комнате, Джек готовил ужин.
- Children were still sleeping when their father left – Дети все еще спали, когда их отец ушел.
- She was watching the TV show at 7 o’clock yesterday – Вчера в 7 часов вечера она смотрела телешоу.
Future
Для продолженного будущего характерны уже перечисленные маркеры, только с поправкой на предстоящие события:
- at this time next Sunday (в это время в следующее воскресенье);
- at 7 o’clock tomorrow (завтра в 7 часов);
- in a week (через неделю);
- all day long tomorrow (весь завтрашний день).
Примеры:
- In a week she will be meeting with her friends – Через неделю она встретится со своими друзьями.
- I will be working at 5 o’clock tomorrow – Завтра в 5 часов я буду работать.
- At this time tomorrow we will be flying to Moscow – Завтра в это время мы будем лететь в Москву.
Индикаторы употребления Perfect
Перфектные времена указывают на завершенные (или близкие к завершению) действия и обладают довольно внушительным списком сигнальных слов.
Present
Совершенное настоящее помогают обозначить такие обстоятельства, как:
- ever ( когда-нибудь), never (никогда);
- already (уже) , not… yet (еще нет);
- just (только что) , before (прежде чем, до того, как…);
- lately(в последнее время), recently (недавно);
- for (в течение), since(с тех пор).
- this week(на этой неделе), today (сегодня)*
*Характерны и для других аспектов.
Примеры:
- My little brother has never been to Norway – Мой младший брат никогда не был в Норвегии.
- They have already written it – Они уже написали это.
- I have been in hospital for six days – Я пробыл в больнице 6 дней.
Past
Для Past Perfect употребляются схожие сигнальные слова:
- for (в течение);
- since (с…);
- by (к…, к тому моменту);
- after (после), before (до того, как…).
Примеры:
- We had cleaned our room by 3 o’clock – К трем часам мы убрали нашу комнату.
- She had bought the dress the week before her wedding – Она купила это платье за неделю до ее свадьбы.
- I was hungry. I hadn’t eaten for 10 hours already – Я был голоден. Я не ел уже 10 часов.
Future
Данный аспект употребляется не очень часто, поэтому не имеет уникальных маркеров времени:
- by the time (к тому времени);
- by (к…);
- before (до того, как…).
Примеры:
- We will have read this book by the time – К тому времени мы прочтем эту книгу.
- She will have cooked supper before her son return – Она приготовит ужин до того, как вернется ее сын.
Указатели времени для Perfect Continuous
Эта группа времен призвана описывать процессы, которые уже дали какие-либо результаты, но при этом действие все еще не завершено. Соответственно, в любом времени обстоятельства будут описывать продолжительность событий. Типичные показатели аспекта:
- for (в течение…);
- since (с…);
- all day/night (весь день, всю ночь);
- by (к…);
- when (когда).
Примеры:
- The dog was tired. It had been running all day. Собака устала. Она бегала целый день.
- I have been writing this novel since 2012 – Я пишу этот роман с 2012 года.
- We have been playing this game for 2 hours already – Мы играем в эту игру уже два часа.
Теперь, когда вы ознакомились с этими полезными подсказками, вопрос о том, какое время следует употребить в том или ином предложении, не будет для вас затруднительным. Для того, чтобы обобщить полученную информацию и заучить список сигнальных слов, ниже представлена сводная таблица времен английского языка с маркерами времени. Ее можно легко распечатать и носить с собой как шпаргалку, постепенно заучивая информацию наизусть.
Маркеры времени в английском языке таблица (c переводом слов)
Present | Past | Future |
Simple tense | ||
usually (обычно), regularly (регулярно), often (часто), as a rule (как правило), seldom (редко), rarely (очень редко), always (всегда), sometimes (иногда), from time to time (время от времени), every day(каждый день). | ago (давно, лет назад), in those times (в те времена), that day (в тот день), the other day (на днях), yesterday (вчера), the day before yesterday (позавчера), last week (на прошлой неделе). | tomorrow (завтра), the day after tomorrow (послезавтра), soon (скоро), one of these days (на днях), in a week(через неделю), next week (на следующей неделе), in the near future (в ближайшем будущем). |
Continuous tense | ||
now (сейчас), right now (прямо сейчас), at the moment (в данный момент), at present (в настоящее время).
next (в следующем(ую), soon (скоро)* constantly (постоянно), always (всегда)** |
at 10 o’clock yesterday (вчера в 10 часов), while (в то время, как…), when*** (когда), the whole day (целый день), still (все еще), all day long (на протяжении всего дня). | at this time next Sunday (в это время в следующее воскресенье), at 7 o’clock tomorrow (завтра в 7 часов), in a week (через неделю), all day long tomorrow (весь завтрашний день). |
Perfect tense | ||
ever ( когда-нибудь), never (никогда), already (уже) , not… yet (еще нет), just (только что) , before (прежде чем, до того, как…), lately(в последнее время), recently (недавно), for (в течение), since(с тех пор). this week(на этой неделе), today (сегодня)**** | for (в течение), since (с…), by (к…, к тому моменту), after (после), before (до того, как…). | by the time (к тому времени), by (к…), before (до того, как…). |
Perfect Continuous tense | ||
for (в течение…), since (с…), all day/night (весь день, всю ночь), by (к…), when (когда). | ||
* Употребляются с глаголами движения и оборотом to be going to.
** О раздражающих постоянных действиях, привычках. ***when союз придаточного времени, характерный для разных аспектов. **** Встречается употребление с другими аспектами. |
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The Present Continuous is a very popular tense in English.
We use the Present Continuous as often as the Present Simple! That is why you should know the Present Continuous well.
What is the Present Continuous?
Why is the Present Continuous so popular? Because we use this tense to talk about continuous actions that take place in the present, often at the very moment of speaking. And this is a huge number of actions that we do all the time!
These actions can be quick and short:
Look, I am jumping!
Or such actions can last for a long time and be global, slowly evolving:
I think the climate is changing …
Another reason for the popularity of the Present Continuous is that the Present Continuous carries several additional functions.
The Present Continuous is involved in the formation of several important grammatical constructions.
Sometimes English learners have difficulty with the fact that there is no analog of the Present Continuous in their native language. Even so, you will be able to understand what the Present Continuous is. It’s not difficult at all!
Present Progressive or Present Continuous?
This tense is often called either the Present Progressive or Present Continuous.
Both of these names are correct, and you can find any of them in various English grammar textbooks. We will call it the Present Continuous.
Meaning of Present Continuous
The main purpose of the Present Continuous is to show an action or process that takes place at the moment of speaking.
If you are walking down the street and someone asks:
What are you doing now?
Then you can safely use the Present Continuous, answering:
I am walking down the street.
Because you perform this action at the moment of speaking.
But this does not mean that if you suddenly stop in the middle of the street, you cannot say “I’m walking down the street”. You can say that! Even if you stop, you are still in the process of performing your action in the general sense, which is “walking down the street.”
We usually use the Present Continuous with words that indicate that the action is happening right at the moment of speaking:
- now
- at the moment
- this minute
- currently
- right now
etc.
How to form sentences
To form a sentence in the Present Continuous, we need two main components:
- Suitable form of the verb to be.
- The main verb with the -ing ending.
Now let’s take a closer look at these two components:
- We use the verb to be in the Present Continuous in the same forms as we use the verb to be in the Present Simple.
- I am
- He is
- She is
- It is
- We are
- They are
- You are
- The main verb is a verb that shows us what action happens in a sentence.
In the Present Continuous, the main verb changes as follows:
We use the verb in the base form and add the -ing ending to the verb.
base form | ing form |
---|---|
Jump | Jumping |
Run | Running |
Read | Reading |
Talk | Talking |
- Jump – Jumping
- Run – Running
- Read – Reading
- Talk – Talking
For some verbs, you can simply add the -ing ending. Some verbs take the -ing ending according to some rules.
How to form Affirmative (Positive) Sentences in Present Continuous
To form an affirmative (positive) sentence in the Present Continuous, we put the subject first in the sentence. After the subject, we put the right form of the verb to be. Then we put the main verb with the -ing ending. Then we put the rest of the sentence if necessary.
Subject (I, he, dog, people, John) + to be (am, is, are) + main verb with -ing (reading, jumping, playing) + the rest of the sentence
I am dancing in the dark.
She is singing beautifully.
These guys are running really fast.
How to form Interrogative (Question) Sentences in Present Continuous
We form questions in the Present Continuous in the following way:
We put first the right form of the verb to be (am, is, are), which serves as the auxiliary verb that shows that this is an interrogative (question) sentence. Then we put in the subject. After the subject, we put the main verb with the -ing ending. After which we put the rest of the sentence, if necessary.
to be (am, is, are) + subject (I, he, dog, people, John) + main verb with -ing (reading, jumping, playing) + the rest of the sentence
Am I dancing in the dark?
Is she singing beautifully?
Are these guys running really fast?
How to form Negative Sentences in Present Continuous
In negative sentences, we put the subject first. After the subject, we put the verb to be with the negative not. Then we put the main verb with the -ing ending. After which we put the rest of the sentence, if necessary.
Subject (I, he, dog, people, John) + to be (am, is, are) + not + main verb with -ing (reading, jumping, Playing) + rest of the sentence
I am not dancing in the dark.
She is not singing beautifully.
These guys are not running fast.
When we Use Present Continuous?
We use the Present Continuous in many cases. Let’s take a look at the most popular of them.
- We use the Present Continuous when we describe the action that occurs at the moment of speaking. In such sentences, we often use words that indicate that the action takes place exactly at the moment of speaking. These are words such as: “At the moment”, “Now”, “At this moment”.
I’m walking down the street now.
She is reading a book at the moment.
- We use the Present Continuous to describe actions that are currently taking place, but not necessarily at the moment of speaking. Such actions could have begun a long time ago, even a very long time ago. The main thing is that these actions continue to last at the moment too. Often such actions are accompanied by words such as: currently, these days, etc.
I am watching a fascinating TV show. It has 50 episodes!
I am traveling around the world in my car.
- To describe two or more actions that occur simultaneously at the moment of speaking.
I’m walking down the street now, and my wife is running around the shops!
At the moment I am working, and my children are running around me and screaming! They are just having fun.
- We use the Present Continuous to express dissatisfaction or resentment about someone or something. Because using the Present Continuous’ dynamics we add expression to the sentence. This is how we express our dissatisfaction or indignation. Such expressions can be accompanied by the words: Always, Constantly, Every time, Day after day, Without stopping, etc.
She is constantly complaining about her life.
I am watching TV day after day!
John is smoking too much.
- To talk about the unusual behavior of someone or something. Or when we want to tell about something that we have not seen before.
I can’t believe, Jessica is playing sports.
He is eating too much these days!
Note: It is important to understand that we use the Present Continuous in such cases when we describe really unusual behavior that surprises us or attracts our attention.
- We use the Present Continuous to describe actions that are planned. It is important here to understand that we use the Present Continuous in this case when we are talking about the actions that we really planned and decided to do some time ago. In this case, we are confident that we will do what we have planned.
Often in such sentences, we use words that specify the time of our planned actions: “next day”, “next month”, “tomorrow”, “in two hours”, etc.
We are moving to a new home in two weeks.
John and Jessica are going to the theatre tomorrow.
NOTE: When we use the Present Continuous to talk about our plans, we mean that we not only planned an action, but also did everything necessary to accomplish it. Therefore, the sentence “John and Jessica are going to the theatre tomorrow” means that John has made an agreement with Jessica and may have already bought tickets. It was indeed a planned action.
- Another interesting use of the Present Continuous when we talk about temporary situations. These are cases when we are talking about some actions, often from life, which are of a temporary nature.
Grandma stays with us for two weeks.
John is using his father’s car while John’s car is being repaired.
Often in such sentences, we use additional words (until, during, while, etc.), which express that the action is temporary.
Note: It is important here to understand that the Present Continuous is used in the examples to show that Grandmother does not live there all the time, she just came to visit for two weeks. John will not drive his father’s car all the time, he took it for a while. If situations are not temporary, then we do not use the Present Continuous but the Present Simple.
For example:
I live in London. This sentence means that I live in London all the time. Probably whole my life.
I am living in London. This sentence means that I am living in London temporarily. Maybe I moved to London because of my job. I am not going to live in London for my whole life.
- We use the Present Continuous to describe a situation that is changing or evolving. In these cases, we use the Present Continuous to emphasize the dynamics of development or change. In such cases, we can use words like: become, start, change, etc.
Climate is changing.
The children are growing up so fast!
The situation is getting worse and worse.
- We use the Present Continuous with verbs of movement when talking about the near future. We can use verbs such as: Go, Come, Leave, Start, End, etc.
I’m going to visit Mark.
John is starting a new business.
I am leaving this party.
- We use the Present Continuous to say about something new, in the case when this something new is contrasted (put in comparison, compared) with the way it was before.
Unfortunately, I am watching TV all day, but I used to play sports.
He quit his job, he is writing books now.
People are working less these days than it was in the old days.
Time Clauses
Another use case for the Present Continuous is Time Clauses after Conjunctions:
- as long as
- while
- unless
- in case
- when
- if
Such sentences have two parts:
- Continuous action expressed in the Present Continuous.
- Short action expressed in the Present Simple.
Putting these two parts together, we describe some kind of ongoing action against the background of some kind of short action.
Conjunctions such as as long as, while, when, etc. help us connect the two. We often use this construction when we talk about ordinary life situations.
You call me at that moment when I am walking down the street. Call me back later!
They make noise while John is trying to focus on his work!
How to use Stative verbs in Present Continuous
Action verbs in the Present Continuous can be used with the -ing ending. But in English, there is a group of verbs that we do not use with -ing. These are stative verbs, non-continuous verbs.
For example, verbs that describe feelings (love, want). We use these verbs with the Present Simple instead of the Present Continuous.
We can say in the Present Continuous:
I’m going home.
We cannot say in the Present Continuous:
I am understanding that it is time for me to go home.
To say this we use the Present Simple:
I understand that it is time for me to go home.
Why?
Stative verbs are not used with the -ing ending. They cannot be in the process of duration. Because it is impossible to see or feel their dynamics.
You can imagine how John runs, Jessica jumps, or a bird flies. These are all processes that can take place in dynamics. But how can the verb “Understand” occur in action?
Therefore, the group of Stative verbs includes verbs of feelings, emotions, thought processes, and perception, such as:
- want
- wish
- have
- notice
- feel
- love
- hate
- hear
- see
- believe
- understand
- fear
- seem
- prefer
- satisfy
etc.
What to do with these verbs? Nothing complicated! We just use these verbs in the Present Simple instead of the Present Continuous.
You can form a whole sentence using the Present Continuous with Action verbs. Then if we need to add a Stative verb to such a sentence, we just use the Present Simple.
Let’s write a sentence like this where all actions happen at the same time. We use some verbs in the Present Continuous because these verbs mean continuous actions. We use the Present Simple for others verbs from the group of Stative verbs:
I am playing with dolls, John is reading, but I think he don’t like the book.
You see, there is nothing complicated about it.
Cases when we can use Stative verbs
However, in English, there is an exception for every rule 🙂
Therefore, now I am going to tell you about a case when even a Stative verb can be used in the Present Continuous.
We can use Stative verbs in the Present Continuous to emphasize our emotions or feelings.
I am thinking! Do not bother me!
Yes, I am hating you right now!
See? In these examples, we want to emphasize that the Stative verb is very important at the moment of speaking. Therefore, we put the Stative verb in the progressive (continuous) form.
When we can use to have as a continuous verb (to have with -ing)
The verb to have is also a Stative verb. But we can use to have in the Present Continuous. We can add the -ing ending to the verb to have in the Present Continuous. We do this in some special cases.
For example, we use the verb to have with the -ing ending if the verb to have is a part of some Fixed Expressions:
- to have a breakfast
- to have a brake
- to have fun
We can use these constant expressions in the Present Continuous by adding -ing to the verb to have:
I am having breakfast.
We are having fun!
When we can use to be as a continuous verb (to be with -ing)
The verb to be is also a Stative verb. But sometimes we can use the verb to be with the -ing ending in the Present Continuous.
IMPORTANT: In this case, I mean the verb to be in its base form without to – be. It is be that we can turn into being using the -ing ending.
be + -ing = being.
Remember: We cannot add the -ing ending to to be forms such as am, was, are, is, etc. We can only add -ing to one base form of the verb to be – be.
We use the verb to be in the form being when we want to emphasize that someone or something behaves in a certain way at a particular moment of speaking.
Stop being so rude.
She is being so nice to our children.
Look at her. She is being weird after I told her the secret.
In these examples, we emphasize the behavior of someone at the moment of speaking.
What is the difference between Present Continuous vs Present Simple. Examples.
The Present Simple and the Present Continuous are great friends. The Present Simple is often used in conjunction with the Present Continuous.
For example, when we tell a story. We tell some details of the story in the Present Simple and some in the Present Continuous. Thus, we can tell that some action takes place against the background of another action.
I go out into the garden where flowers are blooming, birds are singing and everything around is so beautiful!
But how do we know when we should USE the Present Continuous and when the Present Simple? After all, both of these tenses refer to the present. Both of them are used very, very often.
Let’s take a look at the main differences between the Present Continuous and the Present Simple:
- We use the Present Simple with non-action verbs, non-progressive verbs that describe feelings, sensations, perceptions, thought processes. We use such verbs in the Present Continuous only in rare situations.
I want to eat.
Right now, Jack is thinking about how much he loves Jessica.
- We use the Present Simple when talking about situations or actions that are permanent. We use the Present Continuous when we talk about temporary actions.
Grandma is living with us.
Grandma lives with us.
In the first example, Grandma lives with us and this is temporary because she came to visit us. In the second example, Grandma lives with us all the time.
- We use the Present Simple to describe facts, truths that everyone knows. We use the Present Continuous to describe facts or truths that occur at the moment of speaking or are facts and truths at the moment of speaking.
The dog is running around the yard.
This means that the dog is rinning right at the moment of speaking.
The dog runs around the yard every day.
This means that the dog runs around the yard every day. The dog loves to run around the yard. The dog does it every day. This does not happen at the moment of speaking.
- We use the Present Simple to describe actions that do not occur at the moment of speaking and are not related to the present moment. The Present Continuous describes actions that are related to the present, even if they do not occur at the moment of speaking.
I jog three times a week.
Lately, I am jogging a lot.
Markers of Present Continuous
The Present Continuous markers are words that indicate that actions occur at the moment of speaking:
- At the moment
- Currently
- This minute
- In this situation
- Now
Etc.
I’m busy right now, I am working!
At this moment they are flying in an airplane over Paris.
Examples of Present Continuous
Take a look at some examples of the Present Continuous. These examples will help you understand this lesson better.
I cannot speak on the phone, I am driving.
Mom is busy now, she is cleaning the kitchen.
Watch your brother is dancing.
I’m reading a book now.
They are running very fast, look!
He is walking in the park.
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#1
Hello Members
Could you please tell me the difference among these words for now,for the time being, for the present and for the meantime?
Oxford dictionary says they are synonymous. The link is below.
For Now | Definition of For Now by Lexico
However I would like to know if I use all these word in the same sentence as below in present, past and future tense,what do they tell you? Are they synonymous?
Present
A. I’m living with my parents for now.
B. I’m living with my parents for the time being.
C. I’m living with my parents for the moment.
D. I’m living with my parents for the present.
E. I’m living with my parents for the meantime.
Past
A. I was living with my parents for now.
B. I was living with my parents for the time being.
C. I was living with my parents for the moment.
D. I was living with my parents for the present.
E. I was living with my parents for the meantime.
Future
A. I will live with my parents for now.
B. I will live with my parents for the time being.
C. I will live with my parents for the moment.
D. I will live with my parents for the present.
E. I will live with my parents for the meantime.
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#2
Present
A. I’m living with my parents for now.
B. I’m living with my parents for the time being.
C. I’m living with my parents for the moment.
D. I’m living with my parents for the present.
E. I’m living with my parents for the meantime.
All correct and all synonymous.
Past
A. I was living with my parents for now.You cannot use ‘for now’ in the past tense. ‘now’ is the present.
B. I was living with my parents for the time being.
C. I was living with my parents for the moment. Not impossible, but doesn’t sound natural in the past.
D. I was living with my parents for the present. Same as ‘for now’– Impossible in the past.
E. I was living with my parents for the meantime.
Future
A. I will live with my parents for now.
B. I will live with my parents for the time being.
C. I will live with my parents for the moment.
D. I will live with my parents for the present.
E. I will live with my parents for the meantime.
All correct and all synonymous.
(Sorry, red colour stopped working so comments are either in red font or are bold).
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#3
I don’t recognise “for the meantime” as a common phrase. Much more common is “in the meantime”, relating to some specific future event (i.e. meaning until a certain thing happens).
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#4
Hello Chez
Thank you very much for spending your time on the corrections.
I am interested to know if «for now» and «for the present» works well in the future.
Future
A. I will live with my parents for now.
D. I will live with my parents for the present.
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#5
Hello lingobingo,
Thank you very much for your answer. Don’t you use «for the meantime» to mean «for now» in any tense?
I
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#6
No. That’s exactly what I just said. As an adverb, I would only use meanwhile, or the whole phrase “in the meantime” — in which meantime is of course a noun, even though some of the major dictionaries fail to even mention that (I prefer Merriam-Webster’s definition: Definition of MEANTIME). But there’s almost certainly a regional difference in usage.
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#7
No. That’s exactly what I just said. As an adverb, I would only use meanwhile, or the whole phrase “in the meantime” — in which meantime is of course a noun, even though some of the major dictionaries fail to even mention that (I prefer Merriam-Webster’s definition: Definition of MEANTIME). But there’s almost certainly a regional difference in usage.
Thank you very much for your answer. I have two questions.
1.Can you please tell me what you think of the use of » for now» and » for the present» in these two sentences refers to the future.
A. I will live with my parents for now.
D. I will live with my parents for the present.
2. As a native English speaker do you use » for a while» or » for a little while» to mean » for now» as in sentences like the one below.
A. I’m doing this job for a while until I save up enough money to start my own business.
B. He is staying with us for a little while till he finds somewhere else to live.
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#8
Yes, all those expressions are common. But that doesn’t make them automatically interchangeable. Re those specific examples, I don’t find A idiomatic with the present progressive, and the use of “little” in D makes it sound childish.
I’ve [already] been doing this job for [quite] a while [now] / for some time
He’ll be staying with us for a while (= for a few weeks / for the foreseeable future)
He’s staying with us for now / for the time being / temporarily
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#9
Hello lingobingo
Thank you very much for your answer and examples. Do find these two sentences idiomatic?
the future.
A. I will live with my parents for now.
D. I will live with my parents for the present.
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#10
We need the full context to make sensible comments about sentences like that. You would need a particular reason to use the future marker “I will” in a statement specifically about now/the present. In ordinary conversation, “I’m going to be living with my parents for a while” would be much more natural when talking about the immediate future.
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#11
We need the full context to make sensible comments about sentences like that. You would need a particular reason to use the future marker “I will” in a statement specifically about now/the present. In ordinary conversation, “I’m going to be living with my parents for a while” would be much more natural when talking about the immediate future.
Thank you very much for your answer. The context in mind is using these two «for now» and «for the present» in a future context.
Context
I just lost my job and I have been paying my house rent with my salary so one of my friends is asking.
Friend: How are you going to pay your rent?
Me: I will live with my parents for now. Or
I will live with my parents for the present.
Do they sound natural in this context?
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#12
The use of will makes the statement sound forced/unnatural, especially out of context, but it doesn’t preclude the use of for now or for the present (or for the time being) since they’re generally understood to mean “temporarily”.