The present progressive: How and When to Use in English
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The present progressive
The present progressive tense is generally used to talk about actions happening right now or around now.
The children are sleeping. (right now)
I am learning English. (around now)
It is formed using the present simple form of the verb to be To be, present simple tense + the -ing form of the main verb (infinitive form without to + the ending -ing).
to wear → Polly is wearing nice shoes.
to eat → They are eating salad.
To create short forms, negatives and questions, follow the same rules as you would for the present simple of the verb to be, then add the -ing form of the main verb.
Polly isn't wearing nice shoes. To be, present simple, negative, short
-What are they eating? -They're eating salad. To be, present simple, short form
Note: when you add -ing to the infinitive form, remember that some verbs change slightly.
to joke → I'm joking!
to travel → I am travelling
Drag and drop the words to complete each sentence correctly using the present progressive. You do not need to use all the words!
Drag and drop the words to complete each sentence correctly using the present progressive. You do not need to use all the words!
What are you doing? To ask a question with the present progressive, follow the structure: to be (here, are) To be, present simple tense + subject (here, you) + -ing form of the verb (here, doing). Example: are you working right now? Note: always place question words like what at the beginning of a question.
Magda is not calling Roger. To get the negative form of the present progressive, simply add not after the verb to be (here, is). Examples: we are not listening; I am not taking the bus.
Are you learning English? Here, we use the verb to be (are) + subject (you) + -ing form of the main verb (learning) to ask a question with the present progressive. Example: are they listening?
Conjugate the verbs in the present progressive tense by filling in the blanks. Follow the example and click on “Help me” if you're finding it hard.
Example: to drink → We are drinking lemonade.
to speak → Anna speaking to the employees right now.
to go → I am to work now.
to watch → The fans the match.
Example: to drink → We are drinking lemonade.
to speak → Anna is speaking to the employees right now.
to go → I am going to work now.
to watch → The fans are watching the match.
Conjugate the verbs in the present progressive tense by filling in the blanks. Follow the example and click on “Help me” if you're finding it hard.
Example: to drink → We are drinking lemonade.
to speak → Anna is 1 speaking to the employees right now.
to go → I am [not done] going 2 to work now.
to watch → The fans are 3 [not done] watching 4 the match.
Anna is speaking to the employees right now. Form the present progressive with the present simple form of the verb to be To be, present simple tense (here, is) + the main verb followed by -ing, here speak + -ing = speaking. Example: to text → Timmy is texting his friend.
I am going to work now. To form the present progressive, after the verb to be (here, am), you need to add the -ing form of the main verb, in this case to go → going. Example: to spend → they are spending a lot of money.
The fans are watching the match. After the fans (they), use are To be, present simple tense + the -ing form of the main verb (here, watching) to talk about something that is happening right now. Example: to call → my boss is calling me.
The fans are watching the match. After the verb to be (here, are), add the infinitive form without to (to watch) + -ing, here watching, to form the present progressive. Example: to enjoy → I am enjoying the show.
Complete the following sentences in the present progressive tense by dragging and dropping the words. Remember: you do not need to use all the options!
Complete the following sentences in the present progressive tense by dragging and dropping the words. Remember: you do not need to use all the options!
I am having a drink, with the affirmative form of the present progressive, so am To be, present simple tense + having (have + -ing). Example: I am eating biscuits. Note: when you add -ing, remove the -e at the end of the verb, as in to make → making or to save → saving.
Caroline is not making a cake now. Place not between the verb to be (here, is) and the -ing form (here, making) to make the present progressive negative. Example: they are not playing football.
We are driving to the airport. Use the present progressive (in this case, are + the -ing form of the verb to drive, which is driving), to describe an action that is happening right now. Example: Timmy is cleaning the boat at the moment.
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