Progressive Tenses

Present Progressive

FORM Present Progressive

[AM / IS / ARE] + [VERB+ing]

EXAMPLES: 1. I am watching TV.

2. He is quickly learning the language.

NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Present Progressive (is learning), adverbs often come between the first part and the second part (is quickly learning).

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USE 1 Now

Use the Present Progressive with Progressive Verbs to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening now.

EXAMPLES: 1. You are learning English now.

2. You are not swimming now.

3. They are not watching television.

4. Why aren't you doing your homework?

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USE 2 Longer Actions in Progressive Now

In English, now can mean "this second," "today," "this month," "this year," "this century" and so on. Sometimes we use the Present Progressive to say that we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progressive; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.

EXAMPLES: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a

restaurant.)

1. I am studying to become a doctor.

2. I am not studying to become a dentist.

3. Are you working on any special projects at work?

4. Aren't you teaching at the University now?

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USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Progressive to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.

 

EXAMPLES:

1. I am meeting some friends after work.

2. I am not going to the party tonight.

3. Is he visiting his parents next weekend.

4. Isn't he coming with us tonight.

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USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Progressive with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."

EXAMPLES:

1. She is always coming to class late.

2. He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.

3. I don't like them because they are always complaining.

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IMPORTANT Non-Progressive Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Progressive Verbs cannot be used in any "progressive" tenses. Also, certain "non-progressive" meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in "progress" tenses. To express the idea of "happening now", you must use Simple Present USE 3.

EXAMPLES:

1. She is loving chocolate. Not Correct

2. She loves chocolate. Correct

 

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ACTIVE / PASSIVE Present Progressive

EXAMPLES:

1. Right now, Tom is writing the letter. ACTIVE

2. Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. PASSIVE


 

Past Progressive

FORM Past Progressive

[WAS / WERE] + [VERB+ing]

 

EXAMPLES:

 

1.I was studying when she called.

2. I was carefully picking up the snake when it bit me.

NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Past Progressive (was picking), adverbs often come between the first part and the second part (was carefully picking).

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IMPORTANT

Clauses are groups of words which have meaning but are not complete sentences. Some clauses begin with the word when such as "...when she called " or "...when it bit me." Clauses with the Past Progressive usually start with while. While expresses the idea "during the time." Study the examples below. They have the same meaning.

 

EXAMPLES: 1. I was studying when she called.

2. While I was studying, she called.

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USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Past

Use the Past Progressive to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually an action in the Simple Past. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.

EXAMPLES: 1. I was watching TV when she called.

2.When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.

3. While we were having a picnic, it started to rain.

4. Sally was working when Joe had the car

accident.

5. While John was sleeping last night, someone

stole his car.

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USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption

In USE 1, described above, the Past Progressive is interrupted by an action in the Simple Past. However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.

 

EXAMPLES: 1.Last night at 6 p.m., I was eating dinner.

2.At midnight, we were still driving through the

desert.

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IMPORTANT

In the Simple Past a specific time is used to show when an action began or finished. In the Past Progressive a specific time only interrupts the action.

EXAMPLES: 1. Last night at 6 p.m., I ate dinner.

(I started eating at 6 p.m.)

2. Last night at 6 p.m., I was eating dinner.

(I started earlier and at 6 p.m. I was in the

process of eating dinner.)

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USE 3 Parallel Actions

When you use the Past Progressive with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.

 

EXAMPLES:

1.I was studying while he was makdiwas reading, Tim was watching television.

3.They were eating dinner, discussing their plans and having a

good time.

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USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Past Progressive with words such as always or constantly expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the expression used to but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words always or constantly between "be" and "verb+ing."

 

EXAMPLES:

1. She was always coming to class late.

2. He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.

3. I didn't like them because they were always complaining.

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IMPORTANT Non-Progressive Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Progressive Verbs cannot be used in any "continuous" tenses. Also, certain "non-continuous" meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in "continuous" tenses. To express the idea of Past Progressive with these verbs, you must use Simple Past.

EXAMPLES:

1. Jane was being at my house when you arrived. Not Correct

2. Jane was at my house when you arrived. Correct

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ACTIVE / PASSIVE Past Progressive

EXAMPLES:

1. The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came

into the store. ACTIVE

2. The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thief

came into the store. PASSIVE


 

Future Progressive

IMPORTANT No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Future Progressive cannot be used in clauses beginning with "when", "while", "before", "after", "by the time", "as soon as", "if" and "unless". In this lesson, all verbs in Time Clauses are italicized.

EXAMPLES:

1. While I am finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner.

Correct.

2. While I will be finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner.

Not Correct.

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FORM Future Progressive

[WILL BE] + [VERB+ing]

EXAMPLE:

1.When your plane arrives tonight, I will be waiting for you.

[AM / IS / ARE] + [GOING TO] + [VERBing]

EXAMPLE:

1.When your plane arrives tonight, I am going to be waiting for you.

NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "going to" to create the Future Progess with little or no difference in meaning.

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USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Future

Use the Future Progressive to indicate that a longer action in the future will be interrupted. The interruption is usually an action in the Simple Future. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.

EXAMPLES:

1.I will be watching TV when she arrives tonight.

2.I will be waiting for you when your bus arrives.

3.While I am working, Steve will make dinner. (NOTICE "am

working'' because of ''while''.)

4.He will be studying at the library tonight, so he will not see Jennifer

When he arrives.

NOTE: No future tenses can be used in Time Clauses therefore you must say "While I am working... ." See the warning at the top of the page.

 

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USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption

In USE 1, described above, the Future Progress is interrupted by an action in the Simple Future. However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.

EXAMPLES:

1.Tonight at 6 p.m., I am going to be eating dinner.

2.At midnight tonight, we will still be driving through the desert.

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IMPORTANT

In the Simple Future a specific time is used to show the time an action will begin. In the Future Progressive, a specific time only interrupts the action.

EXAMPLES:

1.Tonight at 6 p.m., I am going to eat dinner.

2.I am going to start eating at 6 p.m.

3.Tonight at 6 p.m., I am going to be eating dinner.

4.I am going to start earlier and I will be in the process of eating dinner

at 6 p.m. .

 

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USE 3 Parallel Actions

When you use the Future Progressive with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions will be happening at the same time. These are Parallel Actions.

EXAMPLES:

1.I am going to be studying while he is making dinner.

2.While Ellen is reading, Tim will be watching television.

3.Tonight, they will be eating dinner, discussing their plans, and

having a good time.

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IMPORTANT Non-Progressive Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Progress Verbs cannot be used in any "progress" tenses. Also, certain "non-progress" meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in "progress" tenses. To express the idea of Future

progressive with these verbs, you must use Simple Future.

EXAMPLES:

1.Jane will be being at my house when you arrive. Not Correct

2.Jane will be at my house when you arrive. Correct

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ACTIVE / PASSIVE FORMS Future Progressive

EXAMPLES:

1.At 8:00 PM tonight, John will be washing the dog. ACTIVE

2.At 8:00 PM tonight, the dog will be being washed by John.

Passive.

NOTE: Passive forms of the Future Progressive are not common.

 


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