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Present Progressive Tense

Written by Chris Cotter What is the present progressive tense? We use the present progressive tense to talk about something happening now, or something that happens regularly around now. For example:

I am studying English now. I am taking a course on American history these days. She is trying to find a new job at the moment.

The present progressive tense is also called the present continuous tense.

What is the sentence structure? The present progressive tense uses the following structure:

subject | be verb in the present tense | main verb + ing | object /complement

He | is | watching | a movie now. Jon | is | giving | a presentation in the meeting now. They | are | visiting | from Los Angeles for the holidays.

How is the present progressive used? The present progressive most often describes three situations:

1. An action happening right now. 2. An action that is happening regularly but isn't finished. 3. An action that is happening in a period of time around now.

Here's an example of each:

The mechanic is fixing my car (now). In this sentence, the mechanic is in the process of repairing the car.

My friend is planning to move. He is looking for a new apartment these days. In these sentences, my friend hasn't moved yet. He is in the middle of an action which could take several more weeks before it finishes.

I'm quite tired these days. I am drinking a lot of coffee so I can finish my term papers on time. This is a repeated action that is happening around now.

Past Progressive Tense

Form of the Past Progressive Tense The past progressive is formed with the past of be + the -ing form. I was > You were > He was > She was > It was > waiting. We were > You were > They were > Uses of the Past Progressive Tense 1. Actions in progress in the past We use the Past Progressive to describe past situations or actions that were in progress at some time in the past: I was living abroad in 1987, so I missed the general election. Often we don't know whether the action was completed or not: Philippa was working on her essay last night. Adverbials beginning with all emphasize continuity: It was raining all night/all yesterday/all the afternoon. In the same way, still can emphasize duration: Jim was talking to his girlfriend on the phone when I came in and was still talking to her when I went out an hour later.

2. Actions which began before something else happened The Past Progressive and the Simple Past are often used together in a sentence. The Past Progressive describes a situation or action in progress in the past, and the Simple Past describes a shorter action or event. The action or situation in progress is often introduced by conjunctions like when and as, just as, while: Just as I was leaving the house, the phone rang. Jane met Frank Sinatra when she was living in Hollywood. Or the shorter action can be introduced by when: We were having supper when the phone rang. We can often use the Simple Past to describe the action in progress, but the Progressive puts more emphasis on the duration of the action, as in the second of these two examples: While I fumbled for some money, my friend paid the fares. While I was fumbling for some money, my friend paid the fares. 3. Parallel actions We can emphasize the fact that two or more actions were in progress at the same time by using e.g. while or at the time (that): While I was working in the garden, my wife was cooking dinner. 4. Repeated actions This use is similar to that of the Present Progressive: When he worked here, Roger was always making mistakes. 5. Polite inquiries This use is even more polite and tentative than the Simple Past: I was wondering if you could give me a lift.

Future Progressive Tense

Form of the Future Progressive Tense

The Future Progressive is formed with will/shall + be + the -ing form: I will/shall (I'll) be > You will (You'll) be > He will (He'll) be > She will (She'll) be > expecting you/me. It will (It'll) be > We will/shall (We'll) be > You will (You'll) be > They will (They'll) be > Uses of the Future Progressive Tense 1. Actions in progress in the future The most common use of the progressive form is to describe actions which will be in progress in the immediate or distant future: Hurry up! The guests will be arriving at any minute! A space vehicle will be circling Jupiter in five years' time. It is often used for visualizing a future activity already planned: By this time tomorrow, I'll be lying on the beach. 2. The 'softening effect' of the Future Progressive Sometimes the Future Progressive is used to describe simple futurity, but with a 'softening effect' that takes away the element of deliberate intention often implied by will: I'll work on this tomorrow. (intention, possibly a promise) I'll be working on this tomorrow. (futurity) In some contexts, the Future Progressive sounds more polite than will, especially in questions when we do not wish to appear to be pressing for a definite answer: When will you finish these letters? (e.g. boss to assistant) When will you be seeing Mr White? (e.g. assistant to boss) Sometimes there really is a difference in meaning: Mary won't pay this bill. (she refuses to) Mary won't be paying this bill. (futurity)

Will you join us for dinner? (invitation) Will you be joining us for dinner? (futurity) Won't you come with us? (invitation) Won't you be coming with us? (futurity) 3. Arrangements and plans The Future Progressive can be used like the Present Progressive to refer to planned events, particularly in connection with travel: We'll be spending the winter in Australia. (we are spending) Professor Craig will be giving a lecture on Etruscan pottery tomorrow evening. (= is giving)