Present continuous is the first time an English learner starts to get confused. If everything is more or less clear with the present, past and future - these three tenses are found in almost all languages, then why do we need Present Continuous - another present?

If you are asking the same question, get ready for big shocks - there are at least 12 times in English (), and most of them have no analogues in Russian. But I hope the readers of the site will not be surprised by the number of times in English, especially since the idea in Present Continuous is quite simple.

Continuous vs progressive

But before starting to list the main use cases, a small digression for the meticulous reader. Present Continuous (in textbooks with translation you can see "present continued" or "present long") is also sometimes called Present Progressive. In English, they are exactly the same thing.

The remark "in English" probably did not escape the eye of more meticulous readers. In oriental languages, for example, in Chinese (Mandarin), this is not the same thing - "doing something at this moment", for example, putting on a shirt is one time (Progressive), but "being in some state" For example, wearing a shirt is another thing (Continuous).

And since we started talking about continuous in other languages, I will add that in many European languages ​​there is no analogue for continuous at all. Yes, there is a construction in Italian and Spanish for what is being done "right now", but it is used much less often than in English. In French and German, there is no grammatical way to show that the action is happening "right now." But what to go far - the same in Russian: to emphasize that I am doing something "right now", you have to say so - "I am reading the article right now", or you have to guess about it from the context "milk on the stove runs away [at this very moment, and not in general in life ...] "...
In English, the difference between “in general” and “right now” can be expressed grammatically - and that's what we'll talk about.

How Present Continuous is formed

The formula for the formation of Present Continuous is as follows: we take the verb to be, put it in the desired form, as in the simple present (am, are, is) and add the verb we need in the –ing form to it. Here are some examples.

I am reading a book. I'm reading a book.
You are watching the TV show. You are watching TV show.
My girlfriend is chatting with her friends, while I'm doing her homework. My girlfriend talks to her friends while I do her homework for her.

Verb to be in this construction is called "auxiliary verb" - auxiliary verb. (This will come in handy when we parse negative sentences or learn to ask questions.)

When and how to use Present Continuous

We figured out how Present Continuous looks, now the most interesting thing is how to use it. Here are the three most common cases.

1. The action really takes place "at this very moment"

That literally happens, the moment you utter the phrase, at the same time.

Right now I am reading an article on site- this is what the readers of this article can say about themselves in Present Continuous right now.

What are you doing? What are you doing? Right now, when I look at you and ask - what are you doing at this moment.

I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain. I can feel the drops falling on my head, but I do not stop singing, as the hero of a classic Hollywood film did.

2. The action takes place in a broader "now", not far from the current moment

If the “now” in which the action takes place is not just this second, but this minute, this day, year, but what can we say on trifles - even a century, then this is also a case of using Present Continuous.

I'm reading "Lord of the Rings" now. I am currently reading The Lord of the Rings. To say so, it is not necessary to hold a weighty volume of Tolkien in your hands, and even not to take your eyes off the lines for a second. Present Continuous in this case is rather “these days” (or even “months” - the book is very long).

What are you working on now? What are you working on now? In general, what projects and tasks are you working on these days / months / years? And at the same time, your interlocutor is not at all obliged to hold tools in his hands or sit at a computer.

Our galaxy, Milky Way is heading for a collision with our neighbor, Andromeda galaxy. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, is about to collide with the neighboring galaxy Andromeda. And the fact that there is still 4 billion years left before the collision does not at all prevent the use of Present Continuous here.

Present Continuous vs Present Simple

If this is “now”, so extensible, then how is it different in principle from Present Simple? I live in Russia or I'm living in Russia? After all, I live in Russia at the moment?

The answer to this question depends on you, on what you want to say. This is something permanent, which is unlikely to change in some foreseeable future - then Present Simple, " I live in Russia". And if you want to emphasize that this is just one of the few states through which you go through, and the situation may soon change - then I'm living in Russia.

Here are some more examples. Please note that Present Simple is used for permanent states, Present Continuous - for temporary ones.

Normally I don’t smoke, but I’m having a cigarette now, because I’m very nervous. I don’t smoke at all, but now I am with a cigarette, because I am very worried.

The weather is nice today, so I’m walking home. Usually I use subway. Today the weather is great and I am walking home. Usually I take the subway.
My friend lives in America. This weekend she is staying in my place. My friend lives in America. This weekend he will be staying with me.

There is another important point - words denoting states (for example need, like) are not used at all in Present Continuous. Such verbs in English are called stative verbs, verbs of the state. This is a separate large topic, so we will consider it in a separate article. For now, let's move on to the next use case for Present Continuous.

3. Plans for the near future

That is, how - the time that we use to describe the present moment, can be used for the future? Does this cause confusion among those who speak English?

I agree, it sounds strange. But, firstly, with this use of Present Continuous, the future tense is obvious to the participants in the conversation - by mentioning tomorrow, next week, in the future... Secondly, I will repeat the same argument that I used in the article about Present Simple - we use exactly the same construction in Russian. Tomorrow I'm going to visit (instead of going). Next year I will go to university (instead of going).

Are you coming to the party tomorrow? - I can’t. This Friday I'm taking an exam, I need to study. Going to tomorrow's party? - I can't, I'm taking the exam on Friday, I have to study.

Have you forgotten that Present Simple has the same "double role"? I can imagine your confusion: Present Simple can be used to talk about the future, now Present Continuous can be used to talk about the future ... What, English times are not paid enough at the main place of work and they periodically "trash" in neighboring areas?

Let's try to sort out this confusion as well. Use Present Simple for the future when it comes to events that happen regularly, on a schedule. Present Continuous - for something irregular, but planned now.

Train for Manchester leaves the station at 7 am. The train to Manchester leaves at 7 am (meaning that this happens every day).

I am leaving for Liverpool in the morning. In the morning I go to Liverpool (and judging by this proposal, I do not do it every day).

One more case. Present Continuous and Irritation

And here is the "half case" that I mentioned in the title - annoyance. "Half the case" - because this is not the most common use of Present Continuous. For beginners, I think you should get comfortable with the previous three. But for those who have been studying English for a long time, Present Continuous will help to gracefully express irritation. All you need to do is add words like always, constantly, all the time:

She is always complaining about something. She constantly complains about something.

I am so tired of my boss, he is constantly telling me what to do. The boss got me completely sick, all the time he says what I need to do.

This app I installed is asking for money all the time. The app I installed wants money from me every now and then.

The effect of irritation is given by the combination of Present Continuous and always... Compare:

He always gets up at 7 o'clock. He always gets up at 7 am. And apparently, he washes his face, does exercises. Good boy.

He is always getting up at 7 o'clock. He always gets up at 7 a.m. And, judging by the choice of grammatical time, he turns on loud music and interferes with sleep. Annoys.

That's all.
So, Present Continuous is used for what is happening “in the present moment”, even if this present moment is stretched out in time. This is the difference between this time and Present Simple,
Another important use case for Present Continuous is for scheduled events in the future.
And for those who continue to learn English, there is another interesting way to use Present Continuous - to express irritation.

We continue to study the times. Present Continuous is the simplest tense of all time in the English language.

Important for beginners!

Don't burden yourself with a list of 40 verbs, which are not used in the continius present. Why, more on that at the end of the article.

So, in simple terms:

- rules for using Present Continuous,
- how to say an ordinary sentence at this time,
- how to ask a question,
- sentences with negation - "He does not do, does not sleep, etc.",
- videos from native speakers about Present Continuous,

Present Continuous - education

be + verb + ing

I'm driving. I'm going / now /.
He is sleeping. He's sleeping.

She is working. She works.
You are drinking. You are drinking. Do you drink.

We are eating. We are eating.
They are sitting. They are sitting.

Negative Sentences in Present Continuous

Before the verb in the - ing-th form, a particle is added - not.

I’m not sleeping. I am not sleeping.
He is not working. He does not work.

She is not driving. She's not driving now.
You are not playing. You are not playing.

We are not walking. We don't go.
They are not reading. They do not read.

Interrogative sentences in Present Continuous

be + verb + ing

Am I working? I am working?
Is he driving? He's on his way?
Is she smoking? Does she smoke? Now.

Are you listening? You listen?
Are they cooking? They are cooking?
Are we speaking? We are speaking?

Answer options for the question

Yes, I am. No, I’m not. Yes I'm working. No, I smoke.

When Present Simple is used - 5 cases

Beginners learn English, for a start, it is enough to remember the very first basic rule.
All the other four, you will not use anywhere else yet.

1. We speak in Present Continuous when we are doing an action right now.

A friend calls you and asks: What are you doing? What are you doing? now.

Your reply:

I'm watching Youtube videos. Watching videos on YouTube.
I'm eating now. I am eating now.

I'm driving. I'm going.
I'm not stadying. I don't teach.

2. Actions that have been going on for a while.
Indicator words: still, only.

I signed up for belly dancing.
A friend asks me: Are you still practicing dancing?
"Do you still go to the dances?"

My answer: Yes, I am. Yes, I still go there.

3. Cases when there are exact plans for the near or distant future.

What are you doing tomorrow? What are you doing tomorrow?
We’re going to New York city tomorrow. We're going to New York tomorrow.

I'm seeing a movie tomorrow. I'll watch a movie tomorrow.
I am meeting some friends after work. I meet my friends tomorrow after work.

I'm not going to the party tonight. I'm not going to the party tonight.
Is he visiting his parents next weekend? Is he going to visit his parents next week?

We are going to Cuba in November. We're going to Cuba in November.
We are traveling to AU next year. Next year we will go to Astralia.

4. Temporary condition or behavior of a person.
In life, he does not do this, but now / today he has changed his actions.

Why are you being so selfish?
Why are you so selfish?

Normally Tom eats soup, but today he is wanting milk. Usually Tom eats soup, but today he wants milk. / about the child /

5. Repetitive actions in human behavior- both negative and positive, which you like or DO NOT like.
Indicator words: always, constantly.

He is always complaining. He complains all the time.
She is constantly helping people. She always helps people.

I'm always coming to class late. I'm late for classes all the time.
He is constantly talking. She talks incessantly.

Well, and finally,

List of verbs allegedly "not used" in the form of Present Continuous "

Guys, don't waste time learning all these verbs.
Three reasons.

1. The most compelling. 70% of them, oddly enough, are not often, BUT are used by native speakers in Present Continius. Take a look below for the list and examples I've put together.

2. While you are at the initial stage of learning English, believe me, you will have nowhere to use these verbs.
Do not "load" yourself, and do not let the Russian teachers "load" you. Everything will come with time.

3.The carriers themselves, certified English teachers - nobody mentions these verbs in their materials. Why do you think? see the first two points.

I present the list of these unfortunate verbs solely for the information of beginners.
And below, examples, from the natives themselves.
As you can see, all words have a place to be in the form of Present Continuous.

I'm seeing thinner.
I'm trusting you more than I trust most people.

It’s taken some study, but I’m just understanding the basics now.
Am I losing muscle if I’m weighing less?

Children not resembling mother.
Oh, I’m remembering that now.

Ok, I am recognizing that the voice inside my head.
If you're realizing, you already have an inkling about where you can improve.

Are you suggesting that my friend Benny is a liar?
You’re insisting too much on that!
Are they refusing my offer?
I'm preferring now
Are you advising me?
Are you seeing me?
Are you hearing they?

I'm feeling that ..

You are now reading this text. No, the author of the article does not fall into insanity, but simply used in the first sentence that you have to translate into English in Continuous time. This is probably the simplest of all times. Because it is very easy to solve it: the verb in the form Continuous / Progressive (long / continued) expresses only such an action that takes place in a certain period of time and has not yet been completed.

For example: you are now reading this sentence (Present Continuous). Yesterday, when you woke up, it was snowing outside (in the case of snow - Past Continuous). And in a couple of months you will be packing your suitcase for a trip to the sea (Future Continuous).

The only difficulty that only the lazy could find is the use of the auxiliary to form Continuous. And this verb - to be ... If you were a good student, then you have known all its forms for a long time:

Am (for yourself, beloved)
Is (for someone else in the singular)
Are (plural for someone else)
Was (in the past tense for one person)
Were (in the past tense for several)
Will be (in the future tense for everyone; you can still use shall for the first person)

Well, one more feature is the ingue endings ( -ing). The so-called "Ingovaya" form is the Communion I.

1. Present Continuous(Present continuous tense)

Used to indicate an action that is taking place right now (at the time of speech) or in the present time period:
"Falling, falling, falling, falling leaves".

Markers:
now, still, at present, at the moment, while, meanwhile.

The affirmative form is formed using the verb to be+ main verb ending -ing:
I am reading. He is reading. You are reading.

Negative form: to be + not+ verb with -ing.
They are not reading.

Interrogative form:
Are they reading?

2. Past Continuous(Elapsed Continuous Time)

Used to indicate an action that took place at a certain moment in the past:
"The reeds rustled, the trees bent."

Markers:
still, while, during, for 3 hours / days / weeks, all day long yesterday, from… till…

Affirmative form: was / were+ verb with -ing.
I was eating all day long.

Negative form: was / were + not+ verb with -ing.
They were not playing.

Interrogative form: Was she playing?

3. Future Continuous(Future continued tense)

Indicates an action that will be performed at a certain period of time or moment in the future: "I will drive the bike for a long time."

Markers:
still, from… to…, meanwhile, for 3 hours / days / years, during.

Affirmative form: will / shall + be+ verb with -ing.
They will be laughing.

Negative form: will / shall + not+be+ verb with -ing.
I will not be crying.

Interrogative form: Will it be raining?

There are, of course, some more nuances of using Present Continuous, but by and large you can collect information for another couple of volumes on grammar on the little things. For a start, what is described in this article is enough. To consolidate the material, we strongly recommend that you begin to polish the knowledge gained by listening to a lesson about lasting times in a musical, entertaining and exciting presentation. Will appeal to the most sophisticated music lovers and English lovers!

Affirmative form Present Continuous (present continuous tense) is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the present tense (am, is, are) and the infinitive without to with ending -ing(Participle I - participle I or present participle). This can be represented in the form of a formula:

to be (variable part am, is, are) + infinitive without to (speak) + -ing speak + ink = speaking

I am speaking now.
She is speaking now.
They are speaking now.

Observe:
Verbs expressing feelings of perception and mental activity, as well as some other verbs in the tenses of the Continuous group, are not used. This is: to want - to want, to like - like, to love - be in love, to wish - want, to see - see, to hear - hear, to feel - feel, to notice - notice, to remember - remember, to recognize - learn, to forget - forget, to seem - seem, to be - to be and etc.

negative form formed by adding negation not to the auxiliary verb to be.

I am not working. I do not work.
He is not working. He does not work.
We are not working. We do not work.
They are not working. They do not work.

a) the auxiliary verb to be (am, is, are) is shortened, the negation not remains unchanged.

I'm not working now. I am not working right now.
He's not working now. It doesn't work now.
You’re not working now. You are not working now.

b) the negative particle not merges with the auxiliary verb, the letter o drops out:

Not isn’t working now. It doesn't work now.
We aren’t writing now. We are not writing now.

Interrogative form formed by rearranging the auxiliary verb and the subject - auxiliary verb to be placed before the subject.

Is he writing now? Is he writing now?
Are they reading? They are reading?

If there is an interrogative word, it is placed before the auxiliary verb to be.

What are you doing now? What are you doing now?
Where is he working? Where he works?

Observe:
If two verbs in Present Continuous have one subject and are united by a union and, then the auxiliary verb before the second, main, verb in Continuous is omitted.

She is sitting on the bench now and talking with Mr. Brown.
She is now sitting on a bench talking to Mr. Brown.

Writing rules

• If a verb ends in one letter -e then before -ing this -e omitted: hat e-hat ing, tak e- tak ing.
• If the verb ends in -ee, then no change occurs. The ending -ing add to the main verb: see - see ing, agree - agree ing.
• If there is a short vowel in front of the final consonant, then when adding an ending -ing the final consonant is doubled: run - run n ing, swim - swim m ing.
• If the verb consists of two or more syllables and the stress falls on the last syllable, which consists of one vowel before the final consonant, then the final consonant is doubled: begin - begin n ing, admit - admit t ing.

Blur:

• enter - entering (the stress on the last syllable does not fall);
• last letter -l after the vowel (if there is only one vowel) in the British version it is always doubled, regardless of the stress: travel - traveling, signal - signaling.

Conjugation of the verbs to work, to write in Present Continuous

Use

Present Continuous is used:

• 1. To express an action that occurs at the present moment of speech, which is implied from the context or expressed by words such as now - now, at (the) present (moment) - at present, at this moment - At the moment etc.

What are you doing (now)? - What are you doing now)?
I am cooking. Come and have supper with us. Cooking (in the kitchen). Come and dine with us.

Observe:
In principle, the presence of words denoting the moment of speech in an English sentence is not necessary, since the very form of time shows that the action takes place at the moment of speech. In Russian, the coincidence of an action with a moment of speech is either clear from the context, or is specified in words now, at the moment, etc.

• 2. To express an ongoing action, which does not necessarily occur at the time of the conversation, but is permanent.

I am reading a novel by K. Simonov.
I am reading a novel by K. Simonov. (Action in progress, stretched out in time.)
They are learning two foreign languages ​​at the new gymnazium.
In the new gymnasium, they study two foreign languages.
Not is teaching English and learning French. He teaches English and studies French.

• 3. To express a pre-planned, planned action that will take place in the future, often in the near future.

Are you doing anything tonight? Are you doing something tonight?
Yes, I am going to my judo class and (I’m) meeting my friends afterwards.
Yes, I go to judo classes, then meet my friends. (This is planned.)
She is leaving at the end of the week. She leaves at the end of the week. (So ​​planned, decided.)

• 4.With adverb always to express a constantly repeated action that causes irritation, condemnation and even indignation in the speaker.

Is not always going away for weekends. He always goes away for the weekend.

Compare:
Not always goes away for weekends. He always leaves for the weekend.

The use of Simple Present / Present Indefinite instead of Present Continuous changes the speaker's emotional attitude to what is happening and is perceived by the latter as an ordinary normal phenomenon, as a fact of action.

Present Continuous, usually not used:

• 1.With verbs expressing feelings of perception: to see - see, to hear - hear, to notice - notice, to smell - smell, to feel - feel, to recognize - learn, to listen (to) - listen, to watch - observe.

But: Present Continuous is used:

a) with the verb to see in the meaning of "to meet on business", in the meaning of "to visit" some places related to tourism, and also in the meaning of "to take care".

The director is seeing the applicants this morning. The principal is meeting with applicants this morning.
Not is seeing the sights. He’ll be back later. He's sightseeing. He'll be back later.
Not is seeing about tickets for tonight. He gets tickets for tonight.

b) with the verbs to listen, to look, to watch and sometimes to smell, if an intentional action is expressed.

Why are you looking at this furcoat? Why are you looking at this fur coat?
It's far too expensive. I see one in the corner that would suit you much better. She's too expensive. I see a fur coat in the corner that suits you better.
Don’t disturb him now, he is listening to the "radio-fact". Don't bother him, he is listening, "radio fact".

c) with the verb to hear meaning "to receive information about something or from someone."

I've been hearing all about this accident.
I heard (found out) all about this accident.

• 2.With verbs expressing emotions: to want - to want, to desire - want, to refuse - refuse, to forgive - forgive, to wish - want, to hate - hate, to like - like, to love - be in love.

BUT: Present Continuous is used with the verb to like in the meaning of "to like".

How are you liking this hot weather? How do you like this heat?
Are you liking this nice trip on the sea? Do you enjoy this magnificent sea trip?
Yes, I love it. Yes, I like it very much).
(No, I hate it). (No I do not like.)

• 3.With verbs expressing thought processes, etc.: to understand - understand, to know - know, to remember - remember, to believe - believe, to expect - expect, to suppose - believe, suppose, to recollect - recall, to trust - trust.
• 4.With verbs expressing belonging: to own - have, to belong - belong, to possess - own.
• 5.With the verbs to seem - seem, to signify - to express, to appear - appear, to contain - contain, to consist - consist, to keep - keep, to concern - worry, to matter - to mean.

The modal verb can (could) in English expresses a physical ability, ability, ability to perform an action and is translated as “can” (can, can, can, etc.). The equivalent of the verb can is to be able (to) - to be able. The verb can is followed by an infinitive without a to.

Continuous time meaning and translation:

The times of the Continuous group denote actions that are flowing (flowing, will flow) at a precisely specified time - present, past and future. Additional characteristics of such actions are their incompleteness, dynamism, clarity. This can be seen from the comparison of the infinitives:
To work - to work (Indefinite)
To be working - literally, to be working (Continuous), that is, it shows the process unfinished, ongoing.

For example, you might say. Our children read and Our children are reading. Both sentences translate as: Our children read.
But in the first case, Present Indefinite gives only the most general idea: Our children read in the sense that they can and love to read. At the moment of pronouncing these words, children may not dance, but learn lessons, play, dance.
But the sentence Our children are reading shows a concrete picture of the children reading: They are reading now.

The formation of the Continuous form is due to the auxiliary verb to be.

Present Continuous

Present Continuous is formed with the to be auxiliary verb in the present tense and the 4th basic form of the verb.

Conjugation table of a verb in Present Continuous

Affirmative form	Interrogative form	negative form
I am reading I am reading	Am I reading? I am reading?	I am not reading I do not read
He, she, it is reading	Is he, she, it reading? He, she, it reads?	He, she, it is not reading
We are reading we read	Are we reading? We reading?	We are not reading
You are reading You are reading	Are you reading? You read?	You are not reading You are not reading
They are working They read	Are they reading? They are reading	They are not working They don't read

Note 1:

It is worth noting that the singular and plural forms are the same.
You are asking. You ask.
You're asking.

Note 2:

In spoken English, abbreviations are usually used instead of full forms: isn’t, aren’t

Present Continuous is used in the following cases:

1. To express an action, an event occurring at the present moment of time or at the moment of speech. Indicates that the action taking place at the moment began before that moment and will continue after it.
A time reference like now, at the moment can be either expressed or implied.

She is answering (at this moment). She answers (for the moment)
She is studying at school (now). She is now in school.
He is writing a letter. He's writing a letter now.
I'm sitting in the park. I am sitting in the park.
Young woman is reading a book. Young woman reads a book.

2. To express a future action (similar in Russian), when there is an intention to perform an action or confidence in its performance.
In this case, the adverb indicates the future: soon (soon), tomorrow (tomorrow), next week (next week).

Liza is arriving in Moscow soon. Liza will soon arrive in Moscow.
They are leaving London tonight. They are leaving London today.

Note:

With state verbs:

To love (to love);
- to think (to think);
- to want (want);
- to live (live);
- to be (everyday life, to be);
- to feel (feel);
- to see (to see);
- to know (to know);
- to remember (remember);
- to hear (to hear);
- to stay (to stay);

Present Continuous is not used.

An exception is the case when they want to show that this state is temporary.

How are you feeling? - Great. How do you feel? - Fabulous.
I know I’m being a stupid. But I don’t know to do. I know I'm being stupid. But I don’t know what to do.

Past Continuous

Past Continuous is formed with the to be auxiliary verb in the past tense and the 4th basic form of the verb.

Conjugation Table in Past Continuous

Affirmative form	Interrogative form	negative form
I was asking	Was I asking? I asked?	I was not asking.
He, she, it was asking	Was he, she, it asking? He, she asked?	He, she, it was not asking
We were asking	Were we asking? We asked?	We were not asking
You were asking	Were you asking? Did you ask?	You were not asking
They were asking	Were they asking? Did they ask?	They were not asking

Past Continuous is used in the following cases:

1. To express an action that took place (lasted) at a certain moment in the past, which is indicated either by the circumstance of time, or by another action in the past. However, neither the beginning nor the end of the long-term action is known.

You were reading a book at 5 o'clock. You read the book at five o'clock.
You were reading a book when they came. I was reading the book when they arrived.
At weekend I was preparing for my exams. Over the weekend, I was preparing for my exams.

2. To express a long action that has taken place in a certain period of time in the past (from five to six, all day long, the whole day yesterday)

I was writing letters the whole day yesterday. I wrote letters all day yesterday.

Important!
In this case, the beginning and end of the action are unknown, it is only important that it lasted the entire specified period of time.
In both cases 1 and 2, Past Continuous is used when it is necessary to emphasize the process of action itself, its duration.
If only the fact of the action is important, then Past Indefinite is used.

In addition, Past Continuous can be used to express simultaneous actions that took place in the past at the same moment.

The children were playing in the yard while their mother was watching TV. The children played in the garden while their mother watched television.

As I was taking a shower, my girlfriend was cooking breakfast. While I was taking a shower, my girlfriend was making breakfast.

3. Past Continuous (Past continued) is used with verbs of movement to express future action, which is planned in the past and viewed from the perspective of the past.

My mom was glad that I was leaving for Moscow. My mother was glad that I was going to Moscow.
They said that I was returning the next week. They said that I am coming back next week.
She wrote she was arriving on Sunday. She wrote that she was coming on Sunday.

Note 1:

Past Continuous, like Present Continuous, is usually not used with state verbs. State verbs are used in Past Continuous only when it is emphasized that this state is temporary.

Note 2:

Past Continuous sometimes expresses someone's constant characteristic in the past. In this case, the adverbs always, constantly are used in the sentence.

He was always coming and staying for hours giving pointless advice and asking endless questions.
He always came and sat for hours giving useless advice and asking endless questions.

Future Continuous

Future Continuous expresses a future action in the process of its accomplishment, i.e. an unfinished long-term action. It is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the future tense and the 4th basic form of the verb.

Conjugation table in Future Continuous

Affirmative form	Interrogative form	negative form
I shall be speaking. I will speak.	Shall I be speaking. I will speak?	I shall not be speaking. I will not speak.
He, she, it will be speaking. She, she, it will speak.	Will he, she, it be speaking? She, she, will it speak?	He, she, it will not be speaking. She, she, it won't speak.
You will be speaking. You will speak.	Will you be speaking? Will you speak?	You will not be speaking. You will not speak.
We shall be speaking. We will talk.	Shall we be speaking? We will talk?	We shall not be speaking. We will not speak.
They will be speaking. They will talk.	Will they be speaking? Will they speak?	They will not be speaking. They won't speak.

Future Continuous is used:

1. To express a lasting action that will begin until a certain point in the future and will still continue, last at that moment. This may be indicated by the circumstance of time (at that moment, at six o'clock, at midnight)

At seven o'clock tomorrow she will be having exam. Tomorrow at seven o'clock she will take the exam.
If you ring him up at midnight, she won’t answer. She will be sleeping. If you call her at midnight, she will not answer. She will sleep.

2. To express a long-term action that will take place in a certain period of time in the future.

Don’t call my friend tonight between 7 and 11. She will be wring a letter. Don't call my girlfriend between 7 and 11 o'clock. She will write a letter.
I shall be reading the whole day tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll be reading all day.

3. To express the intention to take an action in the future or confidence in its completion.

I shall be reading tonight. I'm going to read tonight.
She will be visiting me tomorrow. She's going to visit me tomorrow.