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What is the English Present Progressive Tense?

The present progressive, also known as the present continuous tense, is formed with the verb be and the present participle or -ing form of the main verb. We use this tense to talk about actions that are in progress at the time of speaking and temporary actions. We can also use the present progressive to talk about future arrangements and plans.

Learn how to conjugate verbs in the present progressive tense and get tips on its usage with Lingolia's English grammar lesson. Then test your grammar skills in the exercises.

Example

When to use the English Present Progressive Tense

We use the present progressive tense to describe:

actions that are taking place at the present moment, i.e. now

Example:

Look! James is taking a picture of another tourist.

predetermined plans or appointments that have been made for the near future

Example:

He is meeting his friend Brad tonight.

actions that are only happening temporarily

Example:

James is travelling around Australia.

Brad is working there as a tour guide over the summer.

actions that are currently happening, but not at the moment of speaking

Example:

He is staying at a youth hostel.

situations that are changing

Example:

The town is becoming more and more popular because of its beautiful beaches.

There are four present tenses in English grammar. Besides the present progressive, there is the simple present, the present perfect and the present perfect progressive.

Learn about the differences between English present tenses on Lingolia's English Tense Comparison page:

Learn more about the progressive aspect and other progressive tenses on Lingolia's tenses timeline.

Signal Words: English Present Progressive Tense

Signal words can help us decide which tense to use. The signal words for the present progressive are:

at the moment

now, just now, right now

Listen!

Look!

How to conjugate the English Present Progressive Tense

To conjugate verbs in the present progressive we use the conjugated form of the auxiliary verb be. Be is irregular (see the table below). The main verb is conjugated in the -ing form or present participle, it is the same for all people. The table provides and overview of the conjugation of verbs in positive, negative and interrogative sentences in the present progressive tense.

Present Participle - Spelling Rules

Generally, the present participle is formed by add -ing to the base infinitive form of a verb. However, there are a few exceptions:

An -e at the end of the word is removed, but -ee, -oe and -ye remain unchanged.

Example:

come - coming

(but: agree - agreeing)

The final consonant is doubled in words that have a short stressed vowel before the final consonant. However, -w, -x and -y are not doubled

Example:

sit - sitting

(but: fix -fixing)

An -l as the final consonant after a vowel is always doubled in British English but not in American English.

Example:

travel - travelling (British), traveling (American)

An -ie at the end of the word is replaced by a -y.

Example:

lie - lying

Contractions

Contractions are a combination of certain pronouns, verbs and the word not. They are mostly used in spoken and informal written English. The table below provides an overview of contractions in the present progressive using the verb be.

Contractions in written English

In written English, the contracted form of are can only be used after pronouns and not after nouns or names.

Example:

They're travelling around Australia.

(but not: The tourists're travelling around Australia.)

Online exercises to improve your English

Our online exercises for English help you to learn and practice grammar rules in an interactive manner. To make sure that you understand the correct answers, our answer keys offer simple explanations as well as handy tips and tricks.

Present Progressive - Exercises

Present Progressive - Extra Practice

Become a Lingolia Plus member to access these additional exercises.

1. Present Progressive - spelling test (1) A1

2. Present Progressive - spelling test (2) A2

3. Present Progressive - contractions: be A1

4. Present Progressive - affirmative (1) A1

5. Present Progressive - affirmative (2) A1

6. Present Progressive - negative (1) A1

7. Present Progressive - negative (2) A1

8. Present Progressive - questions A1

9. Present Progressive - questions (2) A2

10. Present Progressive - questions and short answers A2

11. Present Progressive - wh-questions A2

12. Present Progressive - mixed sentences A2

13. Present Progressive - mixed (1) A2

14. Present Progressive - mixed (2) A2

15. Present Progressive - actions in progress A1

16. Present Progressive - future actions A2

17. Present Progressive - temporary situations B1

18. Present Progressive - around now B1

19. Present Progressive - changing situations B2

20. Present Progressive - future plans (1) B1

21. Present Progressive - future plans (2) B1

22. Present Progressive - future plans (3) B1

A1Beginner A2Elementary B1Intermediate B2Upper intermediate C1Advanced

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Present Progressive Tense in English Grammar

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The present progressive is also known as the present continuous tense. We use it to talk about actions that are in progress at the time of speaking or temporary situations. Learn how to conjugate verbs in the present progressive tense and get tips on its usage with Lingolia's online lesson.