{"id":273412,"date":"2026-09-17T03:01:08","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T08:01:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=273412"},"modified":"2026-09-17T03:01:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T08:01:08","slug":"continuous-infinitives-c1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/blog\/continuous-infinitives-c1\/","title":{"rendered":"Mastering Continuous Infinitives: C1 English Grammar Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"lc-answer\"><strong>Continuous infinitives help you describe actions that are in progress or ongoing, often expressing intentions, observations, or even criticism.<\/strong> They are formed using <span data-no-translation>to be + -ing<\/span> for non-modal uses, or <span data-no-translation>modal + be + -ing<\/span> when combined with verbs like <span data-no-translation>should<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>could<\/span>, \u3001\u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>might<\/span>. This advanced grammar structure adds a dynamic sense to your English, allowing you to emphasize the temporary or continuous nature of an action. For example, you might say <span data-no-translation>She seems to be working late tonight<\/span> to comment on an ongoing situation, highlighting that the action is happening right now. Similarly, <span data-no-translation>I need to be focusing more on my studies<\/span> expresses an ongoing intention. When used with modals, as in <span data-no-translation>You should be studying for your exam<\/span>, it can criticize a current action. Mastering continuous infinitives significantly enhances your ability to express nuanced meanings and complex ideas in C1 English.<\/div>\n<h2>What Are Continuous Infinitives?<\/h2>\n<p>A continuous infinitive is a verb form that emphasizes an action is currently happening or is ongoing over a period of time. It brings a sense of dynamism to your sentences, showing that an activity is not just a single event but a process.<\/p>\n<p>There are two main forms:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>With &#8220;to&#8221;:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>to be + verb + -ing<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>With modals:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>modal verb + be + verb + -ing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This structure helps you describe actions that are temporary, incomplete, or happening at the moment of speaking or at a specific time.<\/p>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-placement\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#2B87DA,#29C4A9);\"><h3 style=\"color:#fff;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\u270d\ufe0f \u81ea\u5206\u306e\u30ec\u30d9\u30eb\u304c\u308f\u304b\u3089\u306a\u3044\uff1f<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;opacity:.95;\">\u7121\u6599\u306e\u30ec\u30d9\u30eb\u5224\u5b9a\u30c6\u30b9\u30c8\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u3066\u3001\u30b1\u30f3\u30d6\u30ea\u30c3\u30b8\u8a8d\u5b9a\u8a66\u9a13\u5b98\u304b\u3089\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306b\u5408\u308f\u305b\u305f\u30d5\u30a3\u30fc\u30c9\u30d0\u30c3\u30af\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u53d6\u308a\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002.<\/p><a href=\"\/ja\/%e3%82%a4%e3%83%b3%e3%82%b0%e3%83%aa%e3%83%83%e3%82%b7%e3%83%a5\/%e3%82%a2%e3%82%ab%e3%83%87%e3%83%9f%e3%83%bc\/%e7%84%a1%e6%96%99%e4%bd%93%e9%a8%93\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#0A2540;color:#fff;\">\u7121\u6599\u30d7\u30ec\u30a4\u30b9\u30e1\u30f3\u30c8\u30fb\u30c6\u30b9\u30c8\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u308b<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>When Do We Use Continuous Infinitives?<\/h2>\n<p>Continuous infinitives are versatile and can be used in several contexts to add specific meaning to your sentences. They often highlight the ongoing nature of an action or situation.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>To comment on ongoing actions or situations (with <span data-no-translation>appear<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>seem<\/span>):<\/strong>\n<p>We use continuous infinitives after verbs like <span data-no-translation>appear<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>seem<\/span> to describe something that looks or feels like it is happening right now.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>They seem to be having a great time at the party.<\/span> (It looks like they are enjoying themselves now.)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>The economy appears to be recovering slowly.<\/span> (It looks like the recovery is an ongoing process.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>To comment on intentions or plans (with <span data-no-translation>want<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>would like<\/span>, \u3001\u304a\u3088\u3073 <span data-no-translation>need<\/span>):<\/strong>\n<p>These infinitives help express a desire, a preference, or a requirement for an action that is continuous or in progress.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I want to be traveling the world next year.<\/span> (This is my ongoing plan or desire.)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>We would like to be making more progress on this project.<\/span> (We desire continuous progress.)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>You need to be paying more attention in class.<\/span> (It's an ongoing requirement.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>To criticize or speculate about an ongoing action or situation (with modals <span data-no-translation>should<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>could<\/span>, \u3001\u304a\u3088\u3073 <span data-no-translation>might<\/span>):<\/strong>\n<p>When combined with modal verbs, continuous infinitives can express criticism, regret, or speculation about an action that is or was ongoing.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>You should be studying instead of watching TV.<\/span> (Criticism of a current, ongoing action.)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She could be working on her presentation right now.<\/span> (Speculation about an ongoing action.)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>They might be waiting for us outside.<\/span> (Possibility of an ongoing action.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table>\n<caption>Summary of Continuous Infinitive Uses<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>\u4f7f\u7528\u65b9\u6cd5<\/th>\n<th>\u69cb\u9020<\/th>\n<th>\u4f8b<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Ongoing action \/ situation (observation)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>appear \/ seem + to be + -ing<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>She seems to be enjoying the concert.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Ongoing intention \/ plan<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>want \/ would like \/ need + to be + -ing<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>I need to be focusing on my goals.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Criticism \/ speculation (ongoing)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>modal (should\/could\/might) + be + -ing<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>You should be working on that report.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>\u4f8b<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>We're going to be looking at the flip side.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>We seem to be packing way too much into our days.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>We know we need to be racking up at least seven hours of sleep a night.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>You're watching cat videos when you should be sleeping!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She appears to be living in London these days.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I would like to be earning more money by next year.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>They might be discussing the new proposal as we speak.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>He shouldn't be driving if he's so tired.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>\u7df4\u7fd2<\/h2>\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-1875\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"1875\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"A11 L2 GRAMMAR Continuous infinitives\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-exam\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:#0A2540;\"><h3 style=\"color:#F2B705;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\u8a8d\u5b9a\u8a3c\u3092\u53d6\u5f97\u3059\u308b\u6e96\u5099\u306f\u3067\u304d\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;opacity:.92;\">Langcom\u306f\u3001\u30b1\u30f3\u30d6\u30ea\u30c3\u30b8\u8a66\u9a13\u3001IELTS\u3001TOEFL\u3001DELE\u3001SIELE\u3001\u304a\u3088\u3073Michigan\u306e\u8a66\u9a13\u5bfe\u7b56\u30b3\u30fc\u30b9\u3067\u3059\u3002.<\/p><a href=\"\/ja\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#F2B705;color:#0A2540;\">Langcom\u306e\u4f7f\u3044\u65b9<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>\u30b9\u30da\u30a4\u30f3\u8a9e\u8a71\u8005\u304c\u3088\u304f\u72af\u3059\u9593\u9055\u3044<\/h2>\n<p>Spanish speakers sometimes use a simple infinitive where a continuous infinitive is more appropriate in English, especially when emphasizing an ongoing action or intention. This can lead to a less natural-sounding sentence.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u8aa4\u308a\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>She seems to work very hard.<\/span> (Implies a general habit.)<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u6b63\u3057\u3044\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>She seems to be working very hard.<\/span> (Emphasizes that she is working hard right now, or over a specific period.)<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u8aa4\u308a\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>I need to study for the exam.<\/span> (General need.)<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u6b63\u3057\u3044\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>I need to be studying for the exam.<\/span> (Emphasizes that the studying should be an ongoing action at this moment or period.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Remember that the continuous infinitive adds the nuance of \"in progress\" or \"temporary\" that the simple infinitive does not always convey.<\/p>\n<h2>\u3088\u304f\u3042\u308b\u8cea\u554f<\/h2>\n<h3>What is the basic structure of a continuous infinitive?<\/h3>\n<p>The basic structure is <span data-no-translation>to be + verb + -ing<\/span>. \u4f8b\u3048\u3070\u3001, <span data-no-translation>to be studying<\/span> \u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>to be working<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h3>How is a continuous infinitive different from a simple infinitive?<\/h3>\n<p>A simple infinitive (<span data-no-translation>to study<\/span>) refers to the action itself. A continuous infinitive (<span data-no-translation>to be studying<\/span>) emphasizes that the action is in progress, ongoing, or temporary. For example, <span data-no-translation>I want to learn<\/span> (general desire) vs. <span data-no-translation>I want to be learning new things every day<\/span> (desire for continuous action).<\/p>\n<h3>Can continuous infinitives be used with all verbs?<\/h3>\n<p>Continuous infinitives are typically used with action verbs. They are less common with stative verbs (verbs describing states, not actions, like <span data-no-translation>know<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>believe<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>love<\/span>), as stative verbs do not usually express ongoing actions.<\/p>\n<h3>What meaning does a continuous infinitive add when used with modal verbs?<\/h3>\n<p>When used with modals like <span data-no-translation>should<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>could<\/span>, \u3001\u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>might<\/span>, a continuous infinitive often expresses criticism, regret, or speculation about an action that is or was ongoing. For example, <span data-no-translation>You should be listening<\/span> (criticism) or <span data-no-translation>He might be waiting<\/span> (speculation).<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Continuous infinitives help you describe actions that are in progress or ongoing, often expressing intentions, observations, or even criticism. They are formed using to be + -ing for non-modal uses, or modal + be + -ing when combined with verbs like should, could, or might. This advanced grammar structure adds a dynamic sense to your English, allowing you to emphasize the temporary or continuous nature of an action. For example, you might say She seems to be working late tonight to comment on an ongoing situation, highlighting that the action is happening right now. Similarly, I need to be focusing more on my studies expresses an ongoing intention. When used [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":192,"featured_media":274500,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"bwfblock_default_font":"","langcom_teaches":"Continuous infinitives","langcom_cefr":"C1","langcom_type":"grammar","langcom_faq":"[{\"q\": \"What is the basic structure of a continuous infinitive?\", \"a\": \"The basic structure is <span data-no-translation>to be + verb + -ing<\/span>. For example, <span data-no-translation>to be studying<\/span> or <span data-no-translation>to be working<\/span>.\"}, {\"q\": \"How is a continuous infinitive different from a simple infinitive?\", \"a\": \"A simple infinitive (<span data-no-translation>to study<\/span>) refers to the action itself. A continuous infinitive (<span data-no-translation>to be studying<\/span>) emphasizes that the action is in progress, ongoing, or temporary. For example, <span data-no-translation>I want to learn<\/span> (general desire) vs. <span data-no-translation>I want to be learning new things every day<\/span> (desire for continuous action).\"}, {\"q\": \"Can continuous infinitives be used with all verbs?\", \"a\": \"Continuous infinitives are typically used with action verbs. They are less common with stative verbs (verbs describing states, not actions, like <span data-no-translation>know<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>believe<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>love<\/span>), as stative verbs do not usually express ongoing actions.\"}, {\"q\": \"What meaning does a continuous infinitive add when used with modal verbs?\", \"a\": \"When used with modals like <span data-no-translation>should<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>could<\/span>, or <span data-no-translation>might<\/span>, a continuous infinitive often expresses criticism, regret, or speculation about an action that is or was ongoing. For example, <span data-no-translation>You should be listening<\/span> (criticism) or <span data-no-translation>He might be waiting<\/span> (speculation).\"}]","_kiss_seo_title":"","_kiss_seo_excerpt":"Continuous infinitives help you describe actions that are in progress or ongoing, often expressing intentions, observations, or even criticism.","_mwseo_canonical":"","_mwseo_keywords":"","_mwseo_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[605],"tags":[1139,651],"formats":[],"class_list":["post-273412","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-c1-advanced-english","tag-continuous-infinitives","tag-grammar"],"dsm_author":{"name":"\u30e9\u30a6\u30eb","avatar_url":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/nsl_avatars\/1de86ea706740d324aaef3dd8bf0843b.png","archive_link":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/blog\/author\/raulmaguinahamann\/","biodata":""},"dsm_categories":[{"term_name":"C1 Advanced 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