The Progressive or Continuous Tenses Form be ing

The Progressive or Continuous Tenses • Form: be + ing • Meaning: The progressive tenses give the idea that an action is in progress during a particular time. The tenses say that an action begins before, is in progress during and continues after another time or action.

Present Progressive • Form: am/is/are + ing • The present progressive expresses that an activity is in progress at the moment of speaking. It began in the recent past, and will probably end at some point in the future. • John is sleeping right now. • I need an umbrella because it is raining.

Past Progressive or Continuous • Form: was/ were + ing • Meaning: This tense is used to explain an action that was in progress in the past when another action occurred. • In other words, both actions occurred at the same time, but one action began earlier and was in progress when the other action occurred. • Example: I was walking when it began to rain.

Past Progressive or Continuous • Sometimes the past progressive is used in both parts of a sentence when 2 actions are in progress simultaneously. • Example: While I was studying in one room of our apartment, my roommate was having a party in the other room.

Present Perfect Progressive • Form: has/have been + ing • Meaning: This tense is used to indicate the duration of an activity that began in the past and continues to the present. When the tense has this meaning, it is used with time words such as for, since, all morining all day, all week. Examples: • I have been sitting here since 7: 00 A. M. /for hours. • You have been studying for 5 straight hours. • It has been raining all day.

Present Perfect Progressive When the tense is used witout any specific mention of time, it expresses a general activity in progress recently or lately. Examples: I have been thinking about changing my degree. All of you have been studying hard. Exams start next week.

Present Perfect Progressive • With certain verbs (live, work, teach) there is little or no difference in meaning between the 2 tenses when since or for is used. • I have lived here since 1963. • I have been living here for 48 years.

Past Perfect Progressive • Form: had been + ing • Meaning: This tense emphasizes the duration of an activity that was in progress before another activity or time in the past. • The police had been looking for the criminal for 2 years before they caught him.

Future Progressive • Form: will be +ing • Meaning: This tense expresses an activity that will be in progress at a time in the future. • I willl begin to study at 7: 00. You will come at 8: 00. I will be studying when you come. • Right now I am sitting in class. At this same time tomorrow, I will be sitting in class.