Continuous Tenses — Be + Verb-ing
Expressing actions in progress requires a form Chinese doesn't have
Category: Tenses
The Rule
Present continuous: am/is/are + verb-ing ('I am eating'). Past continuous: was/were + verb-ing ('I was eating'). Chinese 正在 + verb indicates progress but doesn't require verb form changes.
Why This Matters
Chinese: 我正在吃饭 (I currently eat-rice). English: 'I am eating.' The verb itself must change to -ing form AND be preceded by a form of 'be'. Chinese speakers often produce 'I eating' (missing 'am') or 'I am eat' (missing -ing).
Examples
• I am studying English now. — "我正在学英语。" [am + studying — both parts are required] • She was sleeping when I called. — "我打电话的时候她在睡觉。" [was + sleeping — past continuous] • They are watching a movie. — "他们在看电影。" [are + watching — plural subject uses 'are']
Common Mistakes
❌ I studying English now. ✅ I am studying English now. → Missing 'am'. Continuous tense ALWAYS needs be + verb-ing. ❌ She is sleep now. ✅ She is sleeping now. → Missing -ing. After 'is/am/are', the verb must end in -ing.
Quick Tip
Two-part formula: BE (am/is/are/was/were) + VERB-ing. Missing either part is wrong. 'I eating' (no BE) and 'I am eat' (no -ing) are both incorrect.
Two-part formula: BE (am/is/are/was/were) + VERB-ing. Missing either part is wrong. 'I eating' (no BE) and 'I am eat' (no -ing) are both incorrect.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: I studying English now. → Correct: I am studying English now.. Missing 'am'. Continuous tense ALWAYS needs be + verb-ing.
Incorrect: She is sleep now. → Correct: She is sleeping now.. Missing -ing. After 'is/am/are', the verb must end in -ing.
Quiz
Which is correct?