Present Progressive Tense
What Is the Present Progressive Tense? (with Examples)
The present progressive tense is used for an on-going action in the present.Examples of the Present Progressive Tense
- Caroline is looking for the latest brochure.
- Dan and Billy are fishing off the pier.
- Caroline is not looking for the latest brochure.
- Dan and Billy are not fishing off the pier.
- Is Caroline looking for the latest brochure?
- Are Dan and Billy fishing off the pier?
- We are moving to New Zealand in the summer.
- The train is arriving in 2 minutes.
Forming the Present Progressive Tense
Here is an infographic explaining the present progressive tense:The Other Present Tenses
The present progressive tense is one of four present tenses. They are:The 4 Present Tenses | Example |
---|---|
simple present tense | I go |
present progressive tense | I am going |
present perfect tense | I have gone |
present perfect progressive tense | I have been going |
The present progressive tense is formed like this:
[am, is, or are] + [verb] + ing
Choose am, is, or are based on the following table:
For example:
The [verb] + "ing" part is known as a present participle. It is formed like this:
Add "ing" to most verbs:
For verbs that end "e", remove the "e" and add "ing":
For verbs that end "ie", change the "ie" to "y" and add "ing":
For verbs whose last syllable is written [consonant-vowel-consonant] and is stressed, double the final consonant and add "ing":
[am, is, or are] + [verb] + ing
Choose am, is, or are based on the following table:
Subject | Verb "to be" | Present Participle | I | am | [verb] + "ing" | You | are | He / She / It (or singular noun) | is | We | are | You | are | They (or plural noun) | are |
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For example:
- She is running.
- I am talking.
The [verb] + "ing" part is known as a present participle. It is formed like this:
Add "ing" to most verbs:
- play > playing
- shout > shouting
For verbs that end "e", remove the "e" and add "ing":
- prepare > preparing
- ride > riding
For verbs that end "ie", change the "ie" to "y" and add "ing":
- lie > lying
- untie > untying
For verbs whose last syllable is written [consonant-vowel-consonant] and is stressed, double the final consonant and add "ing":
- run > running
- forget > forgetting
A Quick Test
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See Also
Tenses Simple past tense Past progressive tense Past perfect tense Past perfect progressive tense Simple present tense Present progressive tensePresent perfect tense Present perfect progressive tense Simple future tense Future progressive tense Future perfect tense Future perfect progressive tense