8/1/24, 3:18 PM Present Progressive Tense in English Grammar

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Present Progressive Tense in English Grammar

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What is the English Present Progressive Tense?

The present progressive, also known as the present continuous tense, is formed with the verb
be and the present participle or -ing form of the main verb. We use this tense to talk about ac‐
tions that are in progress at the time of speaking and temporary actions. We can also use the
present progressive to talk about future arrangements and plans.

Learn how to conjugate verbs in the present progressive tense and get tips on its usage with
Lingolia’s English grammar lesson. Then test your grammar skills in the exercises.

Example

James is travelling around Australia. He is staying at a youth hostel in a little Australian

town. The town is becoming more and more popular because of its beautiful beaches.

James is meeting his friend Brad in town tonight. Brad is working there as a tour guide
over the summer.

James is in the town centre now. Look! James is taking a picture of another tourist.

When to use the English Present Progressive Tense

We use the present progressive tense to describe:

actions that are taking place at the present moment, i.e. now
Example:
Look! James is taking a picture of another tourist.

predetermined plans or appointments that have been made for the near future
Example:
He is meeting his friend Brad tonight.

actions that are only happening temporarily

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Example:
James is travelling around Australia.
Brad is working there as a tour guide over the summer.
actions that are currently happening, but not at the moment of speaking
Example:
He is staying at a youth hostel.

situations that are changing

Example:
The town is becoming more and more popular because of its beautiful beaches.

There are four present tenses in English grammar. Besides the present progressive, there is the
simple present, the present perfect and the present perfect progressive.

Learn about the differences between English present tenses on Lingolia’s English Tense
Comparison page:

Tense comparison simple present – present progressive

Tense comparison simple present – present perfect progressive
Tense Comparison present perfect – present perfect progressive

Learn more about the progressive aspect and other progressive tenses on Lingolia’s tenses
timeline.

Signal Words: English Present Progressive Tense

Signal words can help us decide which tense to use. The signal words for the present progres‐
sive are:

at the moment
now, just now, right now
Listen!
Look!

How to conjugate the English Present Progressive Tense

To conjugate verbs in the present progressive we use the conjugated form of the auxiliary verb
be. Be is irregular (see the table below). The main verb is conjugated in the -ing form or
present participle, it is the same for all people. The table provides and overview of the conjuga‐
tion of verbs in positive, negative and interrogative sentences in the present progressive tense.

positive negative question

I I am speaking I am not speaking Am I speaking?

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positive negative question

he, she, it he is speaking he is not speaking Is he speaking?

you, we, they you are speaking you are not speaking Are you speaking?

Present Participle – Spelling Rules

Generally, the present participle is formed by adding -ing to the base infinitive form of a verb.
However, there are a few exceptions:

An -e at the end of the word is removed, but -ee, -oe and -ye remain unchanged.
Example:
come – coming
(but: agree - agreeing)

The final consonant is doubled in words that have a short stressed vowel before the final
consonant. However, -w, -x and -y are not doubled
Example:
sit – sitting
(but: fix –fixing)

An -l as the final consonant after a vowel is always doubled in British English but not in
American English.
Example:
travel – travelling (British), traveling (American)

An -ie at the end of the word is replaced by a -y.

Example:
lie – lying

Contractions
Contractions are a combination of certain pronouns, verbs and the word not. They are mostly
used in spoken and informal written English. The table below provides an overview of contrac‐
tions in the present progressive using the verb be.

long form contraction example

am (not) …’m (not) I’m (not) (not: I amn’t)

are …’re you’re

are not …’re not/… aren’t we’re not/we aren’t

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long form contraction example

is …’s he’s

is not …’s not/… isn’t she’s not/she isn’t

 Contractions in written English

In written English, the contracted form of are can only be used after pronouns and not after
nouns or names.

Example:
They’re travelling around Australia.
(but not: The tourists’re travelling around Australia.)

 Online exercises to improve your English

Improve your English with Lingolia. Each grammar topic comes with one free exercise where
you can review the basics, as well as many more Lingolia Plus exercises where you can practise
according to your level. Check your understanding by hovering over the info bubbles for simple
explanations and handy tips.

Present Progressive – Free Exercise

1 Present Progressive – free exercise 

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Present Progressive – Lingolia Plus Exercises

1  Present Progressive – spelling test (1)  A1

2  Present Progressive – spelling test (2)  A2

3  Present Progressive – contractions: be  A1

4  Present Progressive – auxiliary verbs  A1

5  Present Progressive – affirmative (1)  A1

6  Present Progressive – affirmative (2)  A1

7  Present Progressive – negative (1)  A1

8  Present Progressive – negative (2)

Cookie Settings Privacy Policy  Imprint   A1

9  Present Progressive – questions (1)  A1

DE EN ES FR IT
10  Present Progressive – questions (2)  A2

11  Present Progressive – questions and short answers  A2

12  Present Progressive – wh-questions  A2

13  Present Progressive – mixed sentences  A2

14  Present Progressive – mixed (1)  A2

15  Present Progressive – mixed (2)  A2

16  Present Progressive – actions in progress  A1

17  Present Progressive – future actions  A2

18  Present Progressive – temporary situations  B1

19  Present Progressive – around now  B1

20  Present Progressive – changing situations  B2

21  Present Progressive – future plans (1)  B1

22  Present Progressive – future plans (2)  B1

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23  Present Progressive – future plans (3)  B1

A1 Beginner A2 Elementary B1 Intermediate B2 Upper intermediate

C1 Advanced

 Gapfill  Multiple choice  Drag-and-drop  Mixed

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