Present Progressive

Notes: 1. The written lesson is below. 2. Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left. The present progressive is formed by combining the verb "to be" with the present participle. (The present participle is merely the "-ing" form of a verb.) I am studying. I am studying with Mara.

In English, present progressive can be used to describe what is happening now, or what will happen in the future. I am studying now. I am studying with Mara tonight.

In Spanish, the present progressive is only used to describe an action that is in the process of taking place. It is not used for future actions. I am studying now. (use present progressive) I am studying with Mara tonight. (do not use present progressive)

The PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSE indicates continuing action, something going on now. This tense is formed with the helping "to be" verb, in the present tense, plus the present participle of the verb (with an -ing ending): "I am buying all my family's Christmas gifts early this year. She is working through the holiday break. Dierdreis being a really good girl in these days before Christmas". The present progressive can suggest that an action is going to happen in the future, especially with verbs that convey the idea of a plan or of movement from one place or condition to another: "The team is arriving in two hours. He's

moving to Portland this summer." Because the present progressive can suggest either the present or the future, it is usually modified by adverbs of time.
Singular I am walking you are walking he/she/it is walking Plural we are walking you are walking they are walking

Singular I am sleeping you are sleeping he/she/it is sleeping

Plural we are sleeping you are sleeping they are sleeping

Singular I am being you are being he/she/it is being

Plural we are being you are being they are being

Simple Present

Present Progressive

infinitive (3rd person singular: infinitive + 's') I speak you speak he / she / it speaks we speak

form of 'be' and verb + ing

I am speaking you are speaking he / she / it is speaking we are speaking

they speak

they are speaking

Exceptions Exceptions when adding 's' : For can, may, might, must, do not add s. Example: he can, she may, it must After o, ch, sh or s, add es. Example: do - he does, wash - she washes After a consonant, the final consonant ybecomes ie. (but: not after a vowel) Example: worry - he worries but: play - he plays After a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled. Example: sit - sitting After a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British English (but not in American English). Example: travel - travelling (British English) but: traveling (American English) Final ie becomes y. Example: lie - lying Exceptions when adding 'ing' : Silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee) Example: come - coming but: agree - agreeing

See also explanations on Simple Present and Present Progressive

Use
In general or right now?
Do you want to express that something happens in general or that something is happening right now?
Simple Present Present Progressive

in general (regularly, often, never) Colin plays football every Tuesday.

right now Look! Colin is playing football now.

present actions happening one after another First Colin plays football, then he watches TV.

also for several actions happening at the same time Colin is playing football and Anne is watching.

Signal words always every ... often normally usually sometimes seldom never first then at the moment at this moment today now right now Listen! Look!

Note: The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present: be, have, hear, know, like, love, see, smell, think, want

Timetable / Schedule or arrangement?

Do you want to express that something is arranged for the near future? Or do you refer to a time set by a timetable or schedule?
Simple Present Present Progressive
arrangement for the near future action set by a timetable or schedule I am going to the cinema tonight. The film starts at 8 pm.

Daily routine or just for a limited period of time?

Do you want to talk about a daily routine? Or do you want to emphasis that something is only going on for a limited (rather short) period of time?

Simple Present

Present Progressive
only for a limited period of time (does not have to happen directly at the moment of speaking) Jenny is working in a restaurant this week.

daily routine Bob works in a restaurant.

The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present (not in the progressive form).

state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit Example: We are on holiday.

possession: belong, have Example: Sam has a cat.

senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch Example: He feels the cold.

feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish Example: Jane loves pizza.

brain work: believe, know, think, understand Example: I believe you.

Introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say Example: I am watching TV, he says.