The progressive tense expresses the continuation of an action that “is or was happening right at a certain point in time.” There are two types: the present progressive and the past progressive.
Basic Rules
The form of the progressive tense is the verb be + the -ing form of a verb (present participle). The present progressive is am/is/are + ing, and the past progressive is was/were + ing.
The meaning is an action happening “right now (or at that time in the past).” It is important to be clearly aware of the difference from the present tense (habits and facts). “I play tennis.” means “I usually play tennis,” while “I am playing tennis.” means “I am playing tennis right now”; their meanings are completely different.
How to form the -ing form: usually +ing (playing), remove final e and add +ing (make → making), double the final consonant after a short vowel (run → running, sit → sitting), and change final ie to y +ing (die → dying).
I am studying English now. (I am studying English now.) ← Present progressive
She was reading a book at 8 last night. (She was reading a book at 8 last night.) ← Past progressive
It is raining outside. (It is raining outside.)
Are they playing soccer? (Are they playing soccer?)
→ Yes, they are. / No, they aren't.
Points to Note
① Do not use stative verbs in the progressive tense: like, love, know, want, have (possession), see (be visible), hear (be audible), etc. “I am knowing the answer.” is incorrect.
② Exception for have: have meaning “possess” cannot be used in the progressive, but have meaning “eat” or “spend” can be used: “I am having dinner.” and “We are having a great time.”
③ The progressive tense can also express a near-future arrangement: “I am meeting Tom tomorrow.” It is frequently used with verbs such as leave, arrive, come, and go.
④ Negative and interrogative sentences are formed using the verb be (She is not coming. / Is she coming?). Do not use do/does/did.
- Progressive tense: the verb be + verb-ing
- Present progressive: am/is/are + ing; past progressive: was/were + ing
- Meaning: “is or was happening right at a certain time”
- Do not use stative verbs in the progressive tense (like, know, want, etc.)
- It can also express a near-future arrangement
Practice
- Write “She is cooking now” in English.
- Write “We were watching a movie at 3 yesterday” in English.
- Correct the error: He is knowing my name.