continuous structure的意思|示意

Continuous structure is an extended structural form that appears in a wide range of English sentences. It is typically used to express actions that take place over a period of time, often with a consequence.

The basic structure of a continuous construction consists of an auxiliary verb (or another verb form) followed by the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb. For example, “I am doing my homework”.

In addition to expressing an action that takes place over a period of time, continuous structure can also be used to describe:

- An ongoing state or condition;

- An action that has started and will continue in the future;

- An action that has finished recently;

- An action that happened but was not completed;

- An action that was in progress at a certain time in the past;

- An action that was in progress while another action occurred;

- An action that began before a certain time in the past and continued until just before another action in the past;

- An action that happened simultaneously with another action;

- An action that will be repeated in the future;

- A habitual action that has been continuing for some time;

- An action that began in the past and is still happening in the present.

Continuous structure is also used to emphasize certain actions or states which suggests that the speaker wants to emphasize their importance.

Examples:

- She is always complaining.

- He was running around like a headless chicken.

- I'm studying for my exams.

- They have been living in Japan for two years.

- He was working late into the night.

- She had been waiting for hours before I arrived.

- She had been writing her essay while he was watching TV.

- She had been taking dance lessons since she was a child.

- He will be traveling around the world for six months.

- I have been eating ice cream every day.