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Present progressive

Present progressive: forms​

Grammar

am/are/is + -ing

  • I am waiting.
  • Are you listening?
  • She isn’t working today.
note

For spelling of -ing forms, (see here).

For passive forms (e.g. The work is being done), (see here).

Use: ‘around now’​

We use the present progressive to talk about temporary situations that are going on now or ‘around now’: before, during and after the moment of speaking.

  • Hurry up! We’re all waiting for you! (not We all wait …)
  • ‘What are you doing?’ ‘I’m writing emails.’ (not … I write emails.)
  • He’s working in Saudi Arabia at the moment.

Present progressive: temporary actions and situations going on now or around now

Repeated actions​

The present progressive can refer to repeated actions and events, if these are just happening around the present (for more details, (see here).

  • Why is he hitting the dog?
  • I’m travelling a lot these days.

Changes​

We also use the present progressive to talk about developments and changes.

  • That child’s getting bigger every day.
  • House prices are going up again.

Talking about the future​

We often use the present progressive to talk about the future (see here).

  • What are you doing tomorrow evening?
  • Come and see us next week if you’re passing through London.

Things that happen all the time: present progressive not used​

We do not normally use the present progressive to talk about permanent situations, or about things that happen regularly, repeatedly or all the time. Compare:

  • Look – the cat’s eating your breakfast!
    ‘What do bears eat?’ ‘Everything.’ (not ‘What are bears eating? …’)
  • Why is that girl standing on the table?
    Chetford Castle stands on a hill outside the town. (not … is standing …)
  • My sister’s living at home for the moment.
    Your parents live in North London, don’t they?

Verbs not generally used in progressive forms​

Some verbs are not generally used in progressive forms (see here), even if the meaning is ‘just around now’.

  • I like this wine. (not I’m liking this wine.)
  • Do you believe what he says? (not Are you believing …?)
  • The tank contains about 7,000 litres at the moment.

how long? present tenses not used​

We use a perfect tense, not a present tense, to say how long something has been going on. (see here) for details.)

  • I’ve been learning English for years. (not I’m learning English for years.)