Present Progressive Tense
The present progressive tense is used for an ongoing action in the present. For example:
- John is baking a cake.
- They are painting the fence.
Even though it is a present tense, the present progressive tense can also be used to describe an activity that is going to happen in the future (especially for planned activities). For example:
- We are moving to New Zealand in the summer.
- The train is arriving in 2 minutes.
Examples of the Present Progressive Tense
- Caroline is looking for the latest brochure.
- Dan and Billy are fishing off the pier.
- A lot of good arguments are spoiled by some fool who knows what he is talking about. (Playwright Miguel de Unamuno)
- Middle age is when you are sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn't for you. (Poet Ogden Nas)
Forming the Present Progressive Tense
The present progressive tense is formed like this:"am," "is," or "are"
+ [present participle ("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 |
For example:
- She is running.
- I am talking.
Forming the Present Participle
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
The Negative Version
If you need the negative version, you can use the following construction:"am," "is," or "are"
+ "not"
+ [present participle]
- Caroline is not looking for the latest brochure.
- Dan and Billy are not fishing off the pier.
The Question Version
If you need to ask a question, you can use the following word order for a yes/no question:"am," "is," or "are"
+ [subject]
+ [present participle]
- Is Caroline looking for the latest brochure?
- Are Dan and Billy fishing off the pier?
[question word]
+ "am," "is," or "are"
+ [subject]
+ [present participle]
- Why is Caroline looking for the latest brochure?
- When are Dan and Billy fishing off the pier?
"am," "is," or "are"
+ [subject]
+ [present participle]
+ choice A
+ or
+ choice B
- Is Caroline looking for the latest brochure or her chair?
"am," "is," or "are"
+ [subject]
+ present participle A
+ or
+ present participle B
- Are Dan and Billy fishing off or jumping off the pier?
Exercises for Present Progressive
Fill in the correct form of the Present Progressive as in the examples.
- The runners are approaching the finish line. (approach)
- Are you preparing the contract for the client? (prepare)
- Joyce isn’t playing in today’s tournament. (not play)
- The team members ______________ late to finish the bid. (stay)
- What _______Arnie ____________ over there? (do)
- _______ you __________ a big wedding? (plan)
- Tim is helping you put the lights up, ___________?
- The computers _____ finally ____________ like they’re supposed to. (run)
- _________ Ann _________ in from New York tonight? (fly)
- The customers aren’t getting the price quote this week, ____________?
- I________________ Peter for a drink later. (meet)
- How much money ________ they _________ in the company?(invest)
- He ___________ to you. (not lie) He ____________ the truth. (tell)
Answers:
- are staying
- is/doing
- Are/planning
- isn’t he
- are/running
- Is/flying
- are they
- am meeting
- are/investing
- isn’t lying/is telling
