Form the progressive verb tenses

Key Notes:

1. What Are Progressive Verb Tenses?

Progressive verb tenses (also known as continuous tenses) describe actions that are ongoing or in progress at a specific time. They are formed using a form of the verb “to be” combined with the present participle (the -ing form of a verb).

2. Types of Progressive Verb Tenses

There are three main progressive tenses:

a. Present Progressive Tense

  • Structure: am/is/are + present participle (-ing form)
  • Usage: Describes actions currently happening or ongoing.
  • Example:
  • She is studying for her exams.
  • They are playing soccer in the park.

b. Past Progressive Tense

  • Structure: was/were + present participle (-ing form)
  • Usage: Describes actions that were ongoing at a specific point in the past.
  • Example:
  • He was reading a book when the phone rang.
  • We were watching a movie at 8 PM last night.

c. Future Progressive Tense

  • Structure: will be + present participle (-ing form)
  • Usage: Describes actions that will be ongoing at a specific time in the future.
  • Example:
  • I will be working on my project tomorrow afternoon.
  • They will be traveling to Europe next summer.

3. How to Form Progressive Verb Tenses

a. Identifying the Main Verb

  • Determine the main action verb that you want to use in the progressive form.

b. Choosing the Correct Form of “To Be”

  • Present: am/is/are
  • Past: was/were
  • Future: will be

c. Adding the Present Participle

  • Convert the main verb to its present participle form by adding -ing.
  • Examples: run → running, write → writing, swim → swimming.

4. Common Errors in Forming Progressive Verb Tenses

a. Incorrect Verb Form

  • Ensure the main verb is in the present participle form (-ing).
  • Incorrect: She is study for the exam.
    • (Correct: She is studying for the exam.)

b. Wrong Form of “To Be”

  • Use the appropriate form of “to be” based on the subject and tense.
  • Incorrect: They was going to the store.
    • (Correct: They were going to the store.)

c. Misuse of Tenses

  • Avoid mixing tenses improperly in a sentence.
  • Incorrect: I will be studying when she call me.
    • (Correct: I will be studying when she calls me.)

5. Practice Examples

  • Present Progressive:
  • Incorrect: He am walking to school.
    • (Correct: He is walking to school.)
  • Past Progressive:
  • Incorrect: They was playing video games.
    • (Correct: They were playing video games.)
  • Future Progressive:
  • Incorrect: I am going to the party.
    • (Correct: I will be going to the party.)

let’s practice!🖊️