Form the progressive verb tenses
Key Notes:
| Progressive Verb Tenses Overview |
Progressive tenses show an action that is continuing or ongoing ⏳
👉 The main verb ends with -ing and is used with a form of “be” (am, is, are, was, were, been, being).
🧩 Formula:
be (am/is/are/was/were) + verb + -ing
| Present Progressive Tense |
✨ Shows an action that is happening right now.
🧠 Formula: am/is/are + verb + -ing
✅ Examples:
- I am studying English now. 📚
- She is reading a book. 📖
- They are playing football. ⚽
⏰ Use it for: actions happening at the moment of speaking.
| Past Progressive Tense |
✨ Shows an action that was continuing in the past.
🧠 Formula: was/were + verb + -ing
✅ Examples:
- I was watching TV last night. 📺
- They were talking when the teacher arrived. 👩🏫
- It was raining all evening. 🌧️
⏰ Use it for: actions that were in progress in the past.
| Future Progressive Tense |
✨ Shows an action that will be continuing in the future.
🧠 Formula: will be + verb + -ing
✅ Examples:
- I will be sleeping at 10 p.m. 😴
- She will be writing her exam tomorrow. ✍️
- We will be traveling next week. 🧳
⏰ Use it for: actions that will be ongoing at a specific time in the future.
| Quick Comparison |
| 🕰️ Tense | 🔤 Example Sentence | 📅 Time Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Present Progressive | She is cooking dinner. 🍲 | Happening now |
| Past Progressive | She was cooking dinner. 🍲 | Happening in the past |
| Future Progressive | She will be cooking dinner. 🍲 | Happening in the future |
| Tips to Remember |
🌼 Always use -ing form of the verb.
🌼 Use the correct “be” verb according to the subject and tense.
🌼 Progressive = continuous or ongoing action.
| Practice Sentences |
📝 Change the following into progressive tenses:
- (Present) – He runs fast. → He is running fast. 🏃♂️
- (Past) – They play chess. → They were playing chess. ♟️
- (Future) – I write a letter. → I will be writing a letter. 💌
Let’s practice!🖊️
