Present Progressive Tense
The present progressive tense takes the form be + V ing.
The form of be is determined by the subject of the sentence.
|He is singing.|
|She is listening.|
|They are sleeping.|
|I am going home.|
In English, the present progressive is used to indicate actions happening at the time of speaking, or right now.
|Jake is speaking to his mother right now.|
|Please keep quiet. The baby is sleeping.|
The present progressive can also be used to indicate actions occurring over a period of time which includes the present.
|I’m taking five classes at the university.|
|Grace is working at a chemical factory.|
|What are you doing these days?|
The present progressive is sometimes used to indicate ongoing, developing, imminent or future actions.
|Don’t bother Mr. Grumpy while he is watching the football game.|
|I’m beginning to like this place!.|
|Q: Honey, where are you?.|
|A: I’m coming. Just let me put on my shoes.|
|Future (Note the presence of future time words.)|
|Q: Are you going to the concert this weekend?.|
|A: I wish I could, but I’m meeting an important client from Oklahoma.|
Some non-action verbs do not occur in the present progressive tense. The simple present is sufficient.
For Conversation practice :
Situations : Talking about here and now
For an example of this in context, see
Writing : Describing Action in Progress
See also :
Speaking : Talking about here and now