Present Progressive
- We use the Present Progressive to describe actions\activities\processes\changes that are happening in a time frame. It does not matter whether the action is happening at the time of speaking or in a longer time frame (this week\this month etc).
- Let’s examine the following sentence: “this month, I’m working on a new project”. We notice that this action is not necessarily happening at the time of speaking but we still use the Present Progressive. This is because it is a temporary action that is happening in a specific time frame. Even if the time frame isn’t explicitly indicated in the sentence, the temporary nature of an action and a time frame are inferred when the Present Progressive is used.
In the context of the Present Progressive it is recommended to also review tip number 10 on our website.
We use the Present Progressive to talk about:
- Actions that are happening at the time of speaking.
- Projects\activities happening recently. (Not necessarily at the time of speaking.)
- Unusual\specific activities.
- Simultaneous actions\creating atmosphere telling a story.
- Continuous Processes\changes.
- Things that are always happening with a negative connotation.
- Personal schedules.
- Temporary situations.
I’m having\eating a sandwich (happening at the time of speaking) | They are buying food from the shop. (happening at the time of speaking) |
I am going to English classes. (activity happening recently) | They want to get in shape; they are swimming a lot recently. (Project happening recently) |
I usually teach English, but this week I’m teaching Hebrew at the university. (unusual activity) | I’m waking up at 8:00 today, because I have a lot of work to do. (unusual activity) |
The players are sitting on the bench, talking to each other, making jokes. (simultaneous actions) | He is sitting at the table, eating breakfast and reading the newspaper. (simultaneous actions) |
The weather is becoming colder. (process\change) | Our English is getting better. (process\change) |
She’s always interrupting during class. (action with a negative connotation) | They’re always making a mess in there, I’m sick of it! (action with a negative connotation) |
I’m meeting Joe at 7:00. (Impersonal schedule) | I’m going to London next week.(Impersonal schedule) |
I’m living with a friend until I find my own place. (temporary situation) | I’m working part time as a receptionist until I find work in my field. (temporary situation) |
Present Progressive Structure:
I am studying at Bright English. | I‘m not studying at Bright English. | Am I studying at Bright English? |
Yoni and I (we) are studying at Bright English. | We aren’t studying at Bright English. | Are we studying at Bright English? |
You‘re studying at Bright English. | You aren’t studying at Bright English. | Are you studying at Bright English? |
The men (they) are studying at Bright English. | They aren’t studying at Bright English. | Are they studying at Bright English? |
Ben (he) is studying at Bright English. | He isn’t studying at Bright English. | Is he studying at Bright English? |
Maya (she) is studying at Bright English. | She isn’t studying at Bright English. | Is she studying at Bright English? |
The computer (it) is studying well. | It isn’t studying well. | Is it studying well? |
Present Progressive Rules:
I = am \ We, you, they = are \ He, She, it = is
- We use am\is\are to make positives, negatives and questions. (I am eating \ I am not eating \ am I eating)
- Am not, aren’t, isn’t – the negatives. (short for are+not and is+not)
- We do not usually use the Present Progressive\Continuous with verbs such as understand, own, dis(like), belong, know which describe unchanging states. (I am owning a big car × incorrect)
Time expression and adverbs in the Present Progressive:
now, right now, at the moment, at present, currently, recently, lately, this morning, this afternoon, today, this week, this month, this year, this coming
