I m not here for a long time
Top Country Love Songs of All Time – Billboard
Over the course of the genre’s history, country music has had more than its share of sweet, romantic moments. Whether it’s about finding your soulmate, realizing the one you love has been there all along or, heartbreakingly, unrequited love, country music is filled with tunes reminding us that love is real.
One could even say love songs have seemingly helped to define the careers of many of the format’s biggest stars. The appeal of Johnny Cash’s fiery 1963 hit “Ring of Fire” spans generations. George Strait’s musical meet-cute “The Chair” is among the King of Country’s biggest hits. Taylor Swift’s re-telling of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet in “Love Story” has become a modern classic. And Dan + Shay’s Grammy-winning “Speechless” has been a wedding perennial since its release in 2018.
Though colorful lyrics and a distinctive form of storytelling are at the heart of the genre, country music is filled with real-life love stories, too. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill may be country music’s reigning powerhouse couple, celebrating over 20 years of marriage. But Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood’s long-time friendship turned romance make the couple fierce runner-ups.
To celebrate the genre’s storied past and present, we’ve gone back in the history books and picked out 50 of the best love songs country music has to offer. This is by no means a definitive list. It’s likely that a song that may have a special place in your love story might not have made this list. However, these are some moments that are worth revisiting when trying to set the mood for a romantic moment.
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Dan + Shay, "Speechless"
Image Credit: Courtesy PhotoWhen it comes to 21st century wedding songs, Dan + Shay’s “Speechless” is near the top of the list. The love song logged nine weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs in December 2018 and January 2019, their longest-running No. 1 to date. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “I know that I’ll be a mess / The second that I see you / You won’t be surprised / It happens every time, It’s nothin’ new”
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Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White, “Love Can’t Ever Get Better Than This”
Ricky Skaggs and wife Sharon White of The Whites knew exactly what they were talking about when they sang “Love Can’t Ever Get Better Than This” — the couple has now been going strong for over 40 years.
The song reached No. 10 on Hot Country Songs in 1987. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “You were somethin’ darling I just couldn’t resist/ Oh love can’t ever get better than this”
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Martina McBride, “I Love You”
Martina McBride describes what love makes her do and feel in “I Love You.” Originally recorded for the Garry Marshall-directed rom-com Runaway Bride, the song crowned the Hot Country Songs chart for five weeks in October and November 1999. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “If I’m dreamin’, please, don’t wake me up/ ‘Cause baby, I can’t get enough”
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Little Texas, “My Love”
Little Texas sing about a fiery kind of love in their 1994 single. The track off Big Time became their only song to reach No. 1 on a Billboard chart, crowning the Hot Country Songs survey for two weeks in April. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “If you’re looking for a heart that’s always true/ Only to you, then my love/ My love, my love is ready for you”
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Barbara Mandrell, “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want To Be Right”
Falling for a married man isn’t unheard of, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t taboo.
No matter the consequence, Barbara Mandrell is willing to risk it all in this soulful ballad, which topped Hot Country Songs in April 1979. It wasn’t the first time the song reached the top of a Billboard chart. Luther Ingram’s original version topped Best Selling Soul Singles (as the chart was called then) for four weeks in July 1972. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “Am I wrong for trying to hold on/ To the best thing I ever had?”
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The Judds, “Young Love”
Image Credit: Paul Natkin/GIAh, young love. Naomi Judd and her daughter Wynonna chronicle the cutest of meet-cutes in “Young Love” which peaked at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs in May 1989. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “She didn’t have to say what she was feeling inside / He could see the answer shining in her eyes”
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Kenny Chesney, “Somewhere With You”
Kenny Chesney hits on that soul-crushing feeling of trying to get over someone in “Somewhere With You.
” The country single with a rock n’ roll twang peaked atop the Hot Country Songs chart for three weeks in January and February 2011. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “You won’t ask and I won’t say/ But in my heart I’m always somewhere with you”
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Charley Pride, “You’re So Good When You’re Bad”
When words aren’t your thing, this Charley Pride track will do the trick as a gift to your lover. “You’re So Good When You’re Bad” hit No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart in November 1982. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “You’re closest thing Heaven that I’ve ever had”
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Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, “It’s Your Love”
Image Credit: KMazur/WireImageFaith Hill joins husband Tim McGraw for their 1997 musical love letter. The track didn’t just top Hot Country Songs for six weeks — it also became the couple’s first top 10 hit on the Hot 100. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “Better than I was, more than I am/ And all of this happened by takin’ your hand”
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Buck Owens, “Together Again”
Buck Owens sings about the kind of reunion that feels like it’s happening in slow motion in “Together Again.
” The self-written track sat at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs for two weeks in June 1964. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “The love that I knew/ Is living again/ And nothing else matters/ We’re together again”
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Lady A, “I Run To You”
Lady A dedicate their optimistic single to that one person they can always count on. “I Run To You” became the group’s first No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart in July 2009. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “When it all starts comin’ undone/ Baby, you’re the only one I run to”
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Trisha Yearwood, “Thinkin’ About You”
When you’ve got a love who you know is no good, crank up Trisha Yearwood’s “Thinkin’ About You.” The second single off her album of the same name became her third No. 1 on Hot Country Songs in April 1995. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “But the hardest thing to comprehend/ Is if I had it to do over/ I’d do it again”
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Lee Brice, “A Woman Like You”
Lee Brice playfully pokes fun at the type of man he’d be if he never found his woman in “A Woman Like You.
” The love song became Brice’s first No. 1 on Hot Country Songs in April 2012. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “I’d take a gold band on my hand/ Over being a single man/ Cause honestly I don’t know what I’d do/ If I’d never met a woman like you”
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Sugarland, “Want To”
Image Credit: Courtesy PhotoSugarland put words to the nervousness that comes with telling a friend you’ve developed feelings for them in their upbeat country number. “Want To,” which was also co-written by the duo, spent two weeks atop Hot Country Songs in December 2006. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “We both got dreams we could chase alone/ Or we could make our own”
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Merle Haggard, “My Favorite Memory”
Merle Haggard chronicles a relationship timeline in his ballad “My Favorite Memory.” The slow-moving track became the singer’s 27th No. 1 on Hot Country Songs in November 1981. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “There’s a million good daydreams to dream on/ But baby, you are my favorite memory of all”
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Blake Shelton, “God Gave Me You”
Blake Shelton puts his own country-rock spin on Dave Barnes’ “God Gave Me You.
” The rendition became Shelton’s fifth consecutive No. 1 single on Hot Country Songs in October 2011 — and was nominated for best country song at the 2011 Grammys. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “Half of what I could be/ I can’t do without you”
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Big & Rich, “Lost In This Moment”
Big & Rich describe the moments leading up to the “I dos” in their first single off Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace. In July 2007, “Lost In This Moment” became the duo’s first and only Billboard No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “Lost in this moment with you/ I am completely consumed”
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Ty Herndon, “Living In A Moment”
In “Living In A Moment,” Ty Herndon knows just how good the love he has is. The single off his album of the same name topped Hot Country Songs in October 1996, becoming his second No. 1 on the chart. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “I’ll live to love you, I’d die to keep you/ Safe inside these arms that need you”
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The Oak Ridge Boys, “Make My Life With You”
When words aren’t enough, crank up The Oak Ridge Boys’ loving country ballad. “Make My Life With You” topped Hot Country Songs in February 1985. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “If love is a game and you are the prize/ You standing here is no surprise”
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Josh Turner, “Your Man”
Josh Turner’s sultry baritone voice does its job in his hit “Your Man.” The song became the crooner’s first No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs survey in March 2006. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “I’ve been thinking ’bout this all day long/ Never felt a feeling that was quite this strong”
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Conway Twitty, “Lost In The Feeling”
Image Credit: Michael Levin/Corbis via GIWhen your love for your partner goes beyond words, press play on Conway Twitty’s classically country record — which peaked at No.
2 on Hot Country Songs in 1983. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “Finding that falling is easy to do/ Lost in the feeling with you”
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Alabama, “When We Make Love”
“When We Make Love” isn’t Alabama’s only song about sex (see: “Feels So Right”), but it is their most romantic. The sensual 1984 single became the band’s 13th song to peak atop the Hot Country Songs chart. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “We share our hearts, our souls, and our minds/ When we make love”
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Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, “I Need You”
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill sing about lovers who don’t just want each other — but need each other in their 2007 duet. One of several collaborations between the couple, “I Need You” peaked at No. 8 on Hot Country Songs. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “Like the Father and the Son need the Holy Ghost/ I need you”
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Johnny Cash, “Flesh and Blood”
Johnny Cash sings about physical love in this song from the soundtrack to the 1970 film I Walk The Line starring Gregory Peck and Tuesday Weld, which hit No.
1 on Hot Country Songs in January 1971. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “Flesh And Blood need Flesh And Blood/ And you’re the one I need”
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Dolly Parton & Ricky Van Shelton, “Rockin’ Years”
Country legends unite! Dolly Parton and Ricky Van Shelton’s ballad “Rockin’ Years” was a quick hit — it crowned the Hot Country Songs chart in May 1991, just a couple months after its release. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “I’ll be your friend, I’ll be your lover/ Until the end, there’ll be no other”
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Jason Aldean & Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
It’s easy to see that the love between the couple Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson portray in “Don’t You Wanna Stay” runs deep and hits hard. The country-rock duet sat on top of the Hot Country Songs chart for three weeks in March 2011. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “I don’t wanna just make love, I wanna make love last”
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Taylor Swift, “Love Story”
Image Credit: Courtesy PhotoTaylor Swift draws inspiration from Shakespeare for her 21st century country-pop classic.
Both the original and “Taylor’s Version” of the song hit No. 1 on Hot Country Songs — first in 2008 and again in 2021 as Swift’s first official re-recorded record. Listen here.Most romantic lyrics: “Romeo, save me, they’re tryna tell me how to feel/ This love is difficult, but it’s real”
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George Strait, “The Chair”
George Strait chronicles a meet-cute that begins with a chair and ends with a ride home in this hit, which earned the King of Country his seventh No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart in December 1985. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “Yeah, I like this song too, it reminds me of you and me”
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Kenny Rogers with Alison Krauss and Billy Dean, “Buy Me A Rose”
“Buy Me A Rose” is a message for couples that get a little too comfortable in their relationships: don’t forget the little things. The track struck a chord with the country community — it spent 37 total weeks on Hot Country Songs, peaking at No.
1 in May 2000. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “I’m gonna hold you tonight/ Do all those little things/ For the rest of your life”
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Keith Urban, “Making Memories Of Us”
Keith Urban’s version of Rodney Crowell’s “Making Memories Of Us,” originally recorded by Tracy Byrd for his 2003 album, became Urban’s sixth No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. The feel-good love song sat at No. 1 for five weeks in May and June 2005. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “I wanna make your world better than it’s ever been”
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Maren Morris, "The Bones"
Image Credit: Courtesy PhotoMaren Morris compares a strong relationship to a home with a solid foundation in her crossover hit “The Bones.” Co-written by Morris, the song achieved huge commercial success with 19 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs, beginning in March 2020. The song also received a Grammy nomination for best country song.
Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “Baby, I know any storm we’re facing/ Will blow right over while we stay put”
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John Michael Montgomery, “I Love The Way You Love Me”
From “the way you enjoy your two hour bath” to “your sweet gentle kiss,” John Michael Montgomery lists every little thing he loves about his significant other in this lovey-dovey ballad. His hit “I Love The Way You Love Me” sat at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs for three weeks in May 1993. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “And I could list a million things I love to like about you/ but they all come down to one reason I could never live without you”
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Brad Paisley, “Waitin’ On A Woman”
If there’s one thing to take away from Brad Paisley’s “Waitin’ On A Woman,” it’s that he’ll always be there for his partner. First recorded by Paisley in 2005 and again in 2008, the re-issue of the narrative track peaked at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart in September 2008.
Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “I hope she takes her time, ’cause I don’t mind/ Waitin’ on a woman”
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Faith Hill, "Breathe"
It’s not up for debate that Faith Hill is one of the most successful country hitmakers of our time, and “Breathe” is among her biggest crossover hits. The Grammy-winning ballad not only topped Hot Country Songs for six weeks in December 1999 and January 2000. It also peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “When I’m lying wrapped up in your arms/ The whole world just fades away”
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Alabama, "Feels So Right"
Image Credit: David Redfern/Redferns/GIAlabama’s “Feels So Right” begins as a slow-going love song, but soon emerges as a dance-ready groovy tune. The 1981 ballad with a pop flair is among their 33 No. 1 country hits — crowning Hot Country Songs for two weeks in July 1981. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “So hold me close and love me/ Give my heart a smile”
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Travis Tritt, “Anymore”
Travis Tritt sings about a breakup that he just can’t seem to let go of in his heartbreaking ballad.
The driving tune spent two weeks atop the Hot Country Songs chart in October and November 1991. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “My heart can’t take the beating/ Not having you to hold”
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Rascal Flatts, “Take Me There”
Rascal Flatts’ “Take Me There” is a man’s reassurance to his partner that he’ll love her unequivocally and without judgement. The song, co-written by Kenny Chesney, spent three weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs in September and October 2007. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “I wanna go down every road you’ve been/ Where your hopes and dreams and wishes live”
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Garth Brooks, “If Tomorrow Never Comes”
Cherish every moment: that’s the theme of Garth Brooks’ “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” In December 1989, the heartbreaking ballad became his first single to reach No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “Did I try in every way to show her every day/ That she’s my only one”
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Lonestar, “Amazed”
If you’re a country fan looking for a song to walk down the aisle to, look no further than Lonestar’s “Amazed.
” The beautifully romantic track didn’t just sit atop Hot Country Songs for eight weeks in the summer of 1999, it also peaked at No. 1 on the Hot 100 for two (in March 2000). Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “I wanna spend the rest of my life/ With you by my side/ Forever and ever”
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Trisha Yearwood, “How Do I Live”
Image Credit: John Shearer/GIThe thought of outliving your significant other is scary — and Diane Warren put that feeling into words with this 1997 ballad, which Yearwood performed (as featured in the film Con Air). The poignant single peaked at No. 2 on Hot Country Songs. (LeAnn Rimes’ pop version peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100.) Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “You’re my world my heart my soul”
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Kenny Rogers, “You Decorated My Life”
When you say “You make my life better,” Kenny Rogers says “You Decorated My Life.” The love song topped Hot Country Songs for two weeks in November 1979 and also reached the Hot 100 top 10.
Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “There was no harmony, life meant nothin’ to me until you came along”
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Alan Jackson, “Remember When”
Alan Jackson remembers the biggest moments in a couple’s relationship in “Remember When.” The nostalgic ballad became a country fan favorite, peaking at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs for two weeks in February 2004. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “To where we are, where we’ve been/ Said we’d do it all again”
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Randy Travis, “Forever and Ever, Amen”
Randy Travis is promising forever in his classically country gem, “Forever and Ever, Amen.” The single from his ever-so-fitting Always & Forever album saw three weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs in June 1987. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “As sure as I live, this love that I give/ Is gonna be yours until the day that I die”
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Restless Heart, “I’ll Still Be Loving You”
When Restless Heart says “for a lifetime,” they mean it.
In March 1987, their reassuring love song “I’ll Still Be Loving You” became the band’s second No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “I’ll be yours/ Until the sun doesn’t shine/ ‘Till time stands still/ Until the winds don’t blow”
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Shania Twain, "You're Still The One"
Image Credit: Courtesy PhotoWhen the world is against you (and your relationship), Shania Twain’s “You’re Still The One” has got your back. The country pop icon’s mid-tempo track topped Hot Country Songs in May 1998. But it wasn’t just a favorite among country fans — it logged nine weeks at No. 2 on the Hot 100. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “You’re still the one I run to/ The one that I belong to/ You’re still the one I want for life”
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Eddie Rabbitt & Crystal Gayle, “You and I”
Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle’s voices effortlessly blend together in their loving duet off Rabbitt’s 1982 album Radio Romance.
The song topped Hot Country Songs in December 1982. It also reached the top 10 on the Hot 100 and stayed on that chart for 29 weeks, becoming the longest-charting Hot 100 hit of both artists’ careers. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “And now your love is my reward/ And I love you even more/ Than I ever did before”
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Rascal Flatts, "Bless The Broken Road"
We can all agree that heartbreak is one of the worst feelings. But according to Rascal Flatts’ “Bless The Broken Road,” it will eventually lead to finding your soulmate. The track spent five weeks atop Hot Country Songs in February and March 2005 and earned a Grammy nomination for best country performance by a duo or group. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars/ Pointing me on my way into your loving arms”
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John Michael Montgomery, “I Swear”
John Michael Montgomery isn’t about breaking promises, and in “I Swear,” that’s exactly what he assures his lover.
The single spent four weeks atop the Hot Country Songs chart in February 1994 — the most of any of his songs. All-4-One’s pop rendition of the song was also a smash, topping the Hot 100 for 11 weeks. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “And when there’s silver in your hair/ You won’t have to ask if I still care/ ‘Cause as time turns the page, my love won’t age at all”
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Johnny Cash, "Ring of Fire"
When you say love is eternal, Johnny Cash says it’s a “Ring of Fire.” The upbeat number never entered the Hot 100’s top 10 — it peaked at No. 17 — but it did hold the top spot on Hot Country Songs for seven weeks in the summer of ’63. Listen here.
Most romantic lyric: “The taste of love is sweet/ When hearts like ours meet”
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Dolly Parton, "I Will Always Love You"
Image Credit: Andrew Putler/RedfernsDolly Parton’s soft yet soulful tone shines in her 1974 ballad, which topped Hot Country Songs.
Momentum for the song resurged in the ’90s when Whitney Houston’s iconic cover topped the Hot 100 for 14 weeks following its placement in 1992’s The Bodyguard, making it one of the biggest hits of all time. Listen here.Most romantic lyric: “Oh I do wish you joy/ And I wish you happiness/ But above all this/ I wish you love”
Country Music Star George Strait Here For A Good Time And Other Quotations
Last Updated December 4th 2017
Country singer George Strait sings he is is not here for a long time, but he is here for a good time.
It is quite similar to the popular line: “It is not length of life, but depth of life. It is not duration, but a taking of the soul out of time, as all high action of the mind does.” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
(Letters And Social Aims By Ralph Waldo Emerson, Houghton, Mifflin & Company, 1904, XI: Immortality; p.347)
“I ain’t here for a long time, I’m here for a good time.
” – George Strait
The above line is taken from the hit country song “Here For A Good Time“, which was co-written by George Strait, his son George Jr (aka Bubba) and Dean Dillon.
It was released back in September 6th, 2011.
This song became Strait’s 84th Top 10 single on the country chart in September 2011.
The American country music singer George Strait holds the record of having more number one hit singles (59 in total)than any one in music history.
This country hit-maker Strait is known as the “King of Country”.
He is also being billed as “the honky-tonk Frank Sinatra”.
Strait has sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
Anyway, here are some of authentic quotes by George Strait:
“Everybody has their taste. But to be able to have success in this business is hard and so if you’re able to do it, more power to you.” – George Strait
(George Strait on New Music, Retirement and the ‘Bite’ of Country Radio By Fran C.
Anderson, Rolling Stone, November 21, 2016)
“It’s just been such a fun, great career that I never dreamed I could have. I mean, getting in the Hall of Fame when I’m still out there.” – George Strait
(George Strait on New Music, Retirement and the ‘Bite’ of Country Radio By Fran C. Anderson, Rolling Stone, November 21, 2016)
“Talkin’ ’bout life, talkin’ bout girls, tryin’ to find yourself in this crazy old world.” – George Strait
(Q&A: George Strait on ‘Cold Beer,’ Vegas By Brian Mansfield, USA Today, Sept. 22, 2015)
“Country music was on my mind from the time I got up in the morning until I went to bed at night.” – George Strait
(George Strait: The Billboard Cover Story Q&A By Ray Waddell, August 16, 2013)
“You can have a really well-written song, but without a great melody it’s probably not going to go too far.” – George Strait
(George Strait: The Billboard Cover Story Q&A By Ray Waddell, August 16, 2013)
“I’ve never let the music business be the only thing in my life. ” – George Strait
(George Strait: The Billboard Cover Story Q&A By Ray Waddell, August 16, 2013)
“If I have a regret, that’s one I have, that I didn’t continue to write through my whole career.” – George Strait
(George Strait: “I Don’t See A Lot of My Influence in Country Music Today” By Joe Pappalardo, Dallas Observer; October 3, 2016)
Present Continuous - rules and examples. Using Present Continuous
From our article you will learn how Present Continuous is formed and when to use the present continuous tense in English. Moreover, we will talk about all the known auxiliary words present continius, so by the end of the article you will know exactly what Present Continuous is in English. Moreover, we will talk about all the known auxiliary words and rules of Present Continuous, so by the end of the article you will distinguish this temporary form in English from others.
Present Continuous Tense - rules and examples of sentences
It is necessary to understand and remember that sentences in the present continuous tense in English indicate the duration of the action. The duration in this case can be anything: both short and extremely extended in time. That is why the time Present Continuous in English was called "real long" Present Continuous or "present continuous" ( Present Progressive ).
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Typical examples of Present Continuous in English and time marker words
- The action happens "here" and "now" - this is a classic Present Continuous situation when applied present continuous:
- I am listening to you.
- I'm listening to you. - He is working at our family shop. - He works in our family shop.
- Now I am listening to you. - Now I'm listening to you.
- At the moment he is working at our family shop. - He currently works in our family shop.
- I am listening to you.
- The action is extended in time, that is, a process is implied. Pay attention to the words: today, currently, these days :
- Joshua is behaving incredibly well today. Joshua is amazingly well-behaved today.
- I am reading Barack Obama's biography this month. - This month I'm reading a biography of Barack Obama.
- More and more people are buying bitcoins. - More and more people are buying bitcoins.
- An action is developing, it is changing.
- The weather in Brisbane is getting better. — The weather in Brisbane is getting better.
- Temperature is falling in the winter. - In winter, the temperature drops.
- We can form sentences with Present Continuous if we are talking about plans for the future. Signal words: next week/month/year, tonight, tomorrow :
- Our sales manager is heading off to an international conference next week. - Our sales manager is heading to an international conference next week.
- I am leaving tomorrow. — I'm leaving tomorrow.*
However, in this case, we let our interlocutor know that we are not 100% sure whether the action will occur or not. - The action in the sentence occurs under temporary, non-permanent circumstances. Marker words Present Progressive: until, during, for :
- She is working night shifts for a month. - She works the night shift for a month.
- If the speaker is unhappy with something that happens all the time. Markers: constantly, always, all the time :
- You are constantly getting on my nerves! — You always get on my nerves!*
- A continuous action occurs against the background of another action, the union can be used while :
- She is eating while I am drinking coffee.
- She eats while I drink coffee.
- She is eating while I am drinking coffee.
- Present Continuous (Progressive) is also used to contrast the new with the old:
- People are calling on the phone today, not writing letters. - Today people make phone calls instead of writing letters.
- In situations where a person is telling a story or retelling a book or movie, you can also use Present Progressive :
Guys, you won't believe what just happened to me! So, I'm walking into this room and I see a ghost. It's telling me to go left but I'm not listening! So, I open the door to the right and enter. Now I’m walking across this dark room and…
— Guys, you won’t believe what happened to me! In short, I go into this room and see a ghost. It tells me to go left, but I can't hear it! So, I open the door to my right and enter.
I'm walking through this dark room and...
Stative verbs or state verbs in Present Continuous
There are verbs in English that cannot be used in a continuous form, and they are not used to form Present Continuous , they need Present Simple . These are words that mean:
In the table below, we will analyze how state verbs are formed in Present Continuous.
| Emotions | |
|---|---|
| love | love |
| like | like |
| want | want |
| wish | wish |
| hate | hate |
| need | need |
| prefer | prefer |
| Thought processes | |
| know | know |
| agree | agree |
| believe | believe |
| forget | forget |
| expect | expect |
| understand | understand |
| respect | respect |
| remember | remember |
| Possession, attitude | |
| be | be |
| belong | belong to |
| consist | consist of |
| have | have |
Such verbs are not used in Present Continuous , as they denote our state and emotions, and do not describe some kind of action.
Since these verbs have no tense restrictions, they cannot be continuous. Let's look at this with examples.
- I hate having dinner so late at night! - I hate having dinner this late at night!
I am hating having dinner so late at night! - I feel as if I belong here. - I feel like I belong here.
I am feeling as if I belong here. - I will never forget your generosity. - I will never forget your generosity.
Formation rules and examples of Present Continuous
Now we will learn how Present Continuous is formed. We will discuss the rules and examples of affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences in great detail.
In Present Continuous the predicate consists of the auxiliary verb to be and the main semantic verb. The verb to be in Present Continuous takes one of three forms: am, is , or are , depending on the subject, and the ending -ing is attached to the semantic verb.
Present Continuous:
Subject + to be + V-ing
Spelling of verbs ending in -ing
When forming Present Continuous , the ending -ing is added to the semantic verb ( V-ing ). In such cases, several rules should be observed:
Affirmative form Present Continuous
Scheme Present Continuous in the affirmative sentence:
| Noun (pronoun) + am / is / are + Ving | ||
| I | am | playing |
| He/She/It | is | |
| We / You / They | are | |
Example sentences will show you how this Present Continuous rule works best:
- I am speaking.
- I'm talking. - He is running now. - He's running now.
- We are washing the floor. - We mop the floor.
Negative Present Continuous
The negation in Present Continuous is built as follows: the subject, then the auxiliary verbs Present Progressive (am, is, are) with a negative particle not and after that we put the semantic verb with the ending -ing .
| Noun (pronoun) + am / is / are not + Ving | ||
| I | am not | playing |
| He/She/It | is not | |
| We / You / They | are not | |
Consider Present Continuous sentences in negative form:
- I am not playing the piano.
- I don't play the piano. - We are not going out right now. - We are not going for a walk now.
Interrogative form
General interrogative sentences
Questions that require an unambiguous answer "yes" or "no" are formed according to the following formula Present Progressive
| Am / is / are + Noun (pronoun) + Ving? | ||
| Am | I | playing |
| Is | he/she/it | |
| Are | we/you/they | |
- Are you sleeping now? - Are you sleeping now?
- Is Anna studying right now? - Is Anna studying now?
- Are students swimming? - Are the students swimming?
If we are answering a general question, we must use auxiliary words.
Present Continuous is no exception.
- Are you smiling? - Are you smiling?
- Yes, I am (No, I am not). - Yes (No).
- Are they smiling? Are they smiling?
- Yes, they are (No, they aren't). - Yes. (No).
The question already contains parts of the answer. Question Are you smiling? has the auxiliary verb is and the pronoun she . We use these particles in the answer: Yes, she is .
Questions with question words in Present Progressive
In English, we can ask for information of interest to us using special question words: what - what, why - why, how - how, which where - where, when - when.
How is Present Continuous built with question words? Very simple! We put it at the beginning of the sentence, and then everything is the same as in general questions.
| Interrogative word | Auxiliary verb | Noun (pronoun) | Verb with -ing |
| Where | are | we | working |
| When | am | I |
Be sure to answer these questions in full sentences, as in the example:
- Where are we working? — Where do we work?
- We are working at a construction site right now. — We are currently working on a construction site.
Present Continuous Active voice vs Passive voice. Active and passive voice
In English there are two ways to express the same idea.
- Active voice: in the sentence, the person or thing expressed by the subject itself performs the action
I am carrying this luggage. - I'm carrying this baggage. - Passive voice: when the acting person or object experiences the action performed by another person or object.
The luggage is getting carried by me. - Baggage is carried by me.
Formula Present Continuous active:
Subject (the one who performs the action) + to be + V-ing + object (the object on which the action is performed)
verb in the third form. In addition, the subject becomes not the one who performs the action, but the object on which it is performed:
Subject (the object on which the action is performed) + to be + being + V3 + by + addition (the one who performs the action)
Let's look at examples of Present Continuous in the active and passive voices of English:
- Active: The train driver is driving the train.
- The driver is driving the train. - Passive: The train is being driven by a train driver. - The train moves forward thanks to the driver.
- Active: She is singing a song. - She sings a song.
- Passive: A song is being sung by her. - The song is sung by her.
- Active: The carpenter is making furniture. - Carpenter makes furniture.
- Passive: Furniture is being made by the carpenter. - Furniture crafted by a carpenter.
Watch a video tutorial on this topic on our YouTube channel
Conclusion
Present Continuous (Progressive) is a tense form that is often used in speech. It is used in many situations and is constantly found in everyday life.
In this article, we showed how you can use the Present Continuous form in English, the rules of which are not as complicated as they seem. Now the scheme of education of the present long tense is also known to you. It remains only to arm yourself with this knowledge and practice as often as possible and with pleasure!
Read on:
Present Simple (or Present Indefinite, Present Indefinite)
Present Perfect Continuous (or Present Perfect Progressive, Present Perfect Continuous)
All tenses of the verb in English
Check if you know you words on the topic
When Past Perfect Continuous is used
Past Perfect Continuous is, in fact, an analogue of Present Perfect Continuous, but in the past tense. The Past Perfect Continuous time has its own peculiarity - it is not used in speech as an independent one, that is, it always turns out to be in conjunction with another time.
This can complicate the understanding and use of the Past Perfect Continuous, since it has no equivalent in Russian: one past tense is used to refer to any actions that took place in the past. The British, on the other hand, prefer to clearly define the sequence of events with the help of complex tenses.
The use of the Past Perfect Continuous in English requires knowledge of certain rules. As a rule, this tense is used to refer to actions or events that began in the past, lasted for a certain period of time, and ended by the time another event or action began.
Examples of using the Past Perfect Continuous:
- I had been cooking on the kitchen for an hour when the telephone rang up and my friend invited me to the party. I had been cooking in the kitchen for an hour when the phone rang and my friend invited me to a party.
- They had been working at this project since 2000 until they finished it. They have been working on this project since 2000 until they finished it.
- They had been walking for half an hour before they met Tony. They walked for half an hour until they met Tony.
- She had been living in that house for five years when it burnt down. She had been living in this house for more than five years when it burned down.
It is important to remember: when past perfect continius is used in a sentence, the same time indicators are usually present as when using Present Perfect Continuous: since - from that moment, for - during.
Past Perfect Continuous can also denote an action that lasted for some period of time in the past and ended with a certain result. In this case, the duration of the action is usually indicated. Usage example:
- There was snow in the street. It had been snowing at night. — There was snow outside. There was snowfall at night. (snow is the result of snowfall)
- I had been reading the book for an hour when John came back home.
I had already been reading the book for an hour when John came home. - The child was dirty because he had been playing in sand. The child was dirty because he played in the sand.
- Alice gained weight because she ate too much sugar. Alice gained weight because she ate too much sugar.
- Betty fainted because she had not been eating since morning. Betty fainted because she hadn't eaten anything since morning.
Uses Past Perfect Continuous 9They try to avoid 0624 when constructing negative sentences, replacing it with Past Perfect. The meaning of the sentence is preserved.
Examples:
- He had loved her for all his life. “He loved her all his life.
- He hadn't been swimming in a river since he was a child. = He hadn't swum in a river since he was a child. He hasn't swum in the river since he was a child.
Also, Past Perfect Continuous tense, like all tenses of the Continuous group, is not used in conjunction with verbs of a non-long group, as well as with some verbs of a mixed group.
Instead of Past Perfect Continuous, you need to use Past Perfect with them.
Examples:
- The house had been belonging to an eldery couple for many years before she bought it. The house belonged to an elderly couple for many years before they bought it. (Incorrect.)
- The house had belonged to an eldery couple for years before she bought it. (That's right.)
Important to remember
If an action that lasted a period of time in the past is not limited to an exact indication of time, the Simple Past or Past Perfect should be used.
Examples:
- Didn't have been watching TV for several hours when his mother told him to go to bed. He had been watching TV for several hours when his mother told him to go to bed. (The first action - looked - is limited to an exact indication of another action - mother said, therefore it is expressed in Past Perfect Continuous.
) - Not watched TV several hours. He watched TV for several hours.
These are the basic rules for using perfect continius pastes. This time has a rather narrow “specialization” and in modern English is often replaced by other tenses, so there are few cases of its use, and it is not difficult to remember them.
Past Continuous and Past Perfect Continuous: how not to confuse
Past Perfect Continuous time is similar not only to Past Perfect, but also to Past Continuous. Because of this, it is often difficult to determine which of these tenses should be used. The presence of the ending -ing makes the construction of both tenses similar. In addition, both Past Continuous and Past Perfect Continuous indicate an action or event that continued in the past:
- I was cleaning up my room when she came home. I was cleaning the room when she came home. The time used is Past Continuous: it is used because the action was going on at the moment when another event happened, that is, cleaning and returning home happened at the same moment.
- I had been cleaning up my room for half an hour when she came home. I had been cleaning the room for half an hour when she came home. The time used is Past Perfect Continuous: the action began and lasted for some period of time before another event occurred, that is, first I cleaned for half an hour, and then she came home.
- It wasn't raining when we went out. The sun was shining. But it had been raining, so the ground was wet. When we left, it wasn't raining. Sun was shining. But before that it had rained and the ground was wet.
- Tom was sleeping already at 9 pm. He went to bed early because he had been working at night that day. At nine o'clock Tom was already asleep. He went to bed early because before that he worked at night.
Despite many similarities, distinguishing these two tenses is quite simple - for this you need to pay attention to the prepositions that accompany the words indicating the time. The use of the preposition for - during (for an hour, for a week, for a month) indicates that you need to use Past Perfect Continuous, not Past Continuous.
How sentences are built in Past Perfect Continuous
Past Perfect Continuous is formed with the help of: the auxiliary verb had (have in the past tense), the verb to be in the 3rd form - been and the ending -ing, which is added to the verb denoting the actual action
Usage examples:
- I had been listening to music for several hours. I listened to music for several hours.
- I had been working in a garden since morning. - I have been working in the garden since morning. She had been doing her homework since 5 o'clock. She did her homework until 5 o'clock.
Use with pronouns:
Singular
I had been walking
You had been walking
He/she/it had been walking
Plural
We had been walking
You had been walking
They had been walking
The negative form of Past Perfect Continuous is formed with the negative particle not, which is placed after the first auxiliary verb had.
- Has not been playing tennis since 2000. He has not played tennis since 2000.
- Of course he wasn't tired! He had not been working like a horse all the week. Of course he's not tired! He didn't work all week like a horse!
- She had not been speaking before she was told to. She didn't talk before she was told.
Use with pronouns: Singular I had not been walking You had not been walking He/she/it had not been walking Plural We had not been walking You had not been walking They had not been walking
How is Past Perfect Continuous formed in interrogative form: the first auxiliary verb had is simply placed first before the subject.
Examples:
- Had you been playing tennis for 5 years? Have you been playing tennis for five years?
- How long have you been sitting here? - How long have you been sitting here?
- How long had you been training before you won your first competition? How long did you train before you won your first competition?
Use with pronouns:
Singular
Had I been walking?
Had you been walking?
Had he/she/it been walking?
Plural
Had we been walking?
Had you been walking?
Had they been walking?
It is impossible to talk about how the Past Perfect Continuous is formed without mentioning time indicator words , which always help to accurately distinguish it from other similar times:
- before
- till - up to;
- untill
- for an hour - for an hour;
- for 5 hours - for five hours;
- for a day - throughout the day;
- for a week - during the week;
- for a month - throughout the month;
- all morning / the whole morning
- all day (long) / the whole day - all day;
- all week / the whole week - all week;
- all month / the whole month - the whole month;
- all year (round)
- since 5 o'clock - from five o'clock;
- since last week
- since last month
- since 1991
- since last century
In colloquial speech in the Past Perfect Continuous, the same abbreviations are used as in the Past Perfect: I'd been doing, he'd been talking, I hadn't been doing, I'd not been talking, hadn't he been doing?
It is important to remember: almost any English tense has both an active and a passive voice.
