Present Progressive Tense
The Present Progressive is a very common tense in English. You should understand it, and know it well.
Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses
What's next?
How do we use this tense?
The Present Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action is in progress in the present.
Here
are the
different usages of this tense:
Make sure you also read:
Examples of Typical Time ExpressionsActions that are happening now
(The verbs are
in bold)
The boy is running.
The phone is ringing.
They are talking.
Actions which are currently in
progress
(Not at this
exact second, but in the present.
For example: these days, this month, this year)
This month they are
practicing for a contest.
He is working
in an office.
He is studying
a lot these days.
They are fighting
for their country.
Planned future actions
Tomorrow he is returning
home.
She is meeting
her friends tonight.
He is starting
a new job in the morning.
She is traveling to Paris this afternoon.
Annoying repeating actions
She is
always making
a mess!
He is
always causing
trouble.
This guy is
always smoking!
Examples of
Typical Time Expressions
| Now | The present time period | Near future | Annoying repeating actions |
| now | these days | this afternoon | always |
| right now | today | tonight | constantly |
| this moment | this week | next week | |
| this month | on Sunday | ||
| this year | after dinner | ||
| currently | tomorrow |
What's Next?
-
If you want, you can REREAD the previous explanations and examples.
- Read and practice with these stories and exercises.
Present Progressive Story 1
Now Janet is in her house. She is sitting on a wooden chair. She is holding a coat. She is fixing it.
James is Janet's husband. He is sitting in front of her. He is fixing clothes too.
Elizabeth is sitting next to James. She is Janet's sister. Right now she is helping Janet and James. They are working together. They are fixing clothes.
At this moment a man is coming in. He is wearing dark clothes. He is carrying a pile of clothes. They are all working very hard.
Click here to download the worksheet: Present Progressive Story 1.
Present Progressive Story 2
Who are they? Where are they? What are they doing?
Right now, it is Monday morning. Mike and Tina are at home. They are sitting at a table. They are eating breakfast.
At this moment, Tina is drinking coffee. She is eating a pastry. She is sitting across the table from Mike. She is talking to Mike.
Mike is Tina's husband. He is sitting at the table with Tina. He is also drinking coffee. Mike is listening to Tina.
After breakfast, Mike and Tina are leaving for work. They work in the city. They are riding the bus to work.
Click here to download the worksheet: Present Progressive Story 2.
Present Progressive Story 3
Who are they? Where are they? What are they doing?
Now the children are at school. Amy is sewing. She is practicing. She is sitting on a bench. She is sitting near Timmy.
Timmy is at school too. Timmy is studying. He is sitting behind his desk. He wishes he could play with the other children.
John
and Susan are also at school. They are playing outside. They are
picking flowers for their teacher. John is carrying his hat. Susan is
wearing a bonnet.
At this moment, Sarah is walking by the door. She is helping the teacher. She is carrying textbooks to the shelf.
Click here to download the worksheet: Present Progressive Story 3.
See also: Simple Present vs. Present Progressive Worksheet and Answer Key
See also: Stories and Exercises to Practice the Progressive Tenses
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