Grammar - Beginner - The Present Progressive Tense

The Present Progressive Tense

When do you use the present progressive tense? To talk about actions in the present, or things that are still going on or happening now.
I’m playing chess with my friend.
She’s riding a horse.
He’s taking a walk in the park.
The man’s counting the money.
They are practicing tai chi.
We’re rushing to the airport to meet Mr. Smith.
They are still sleeping.
They are swimming in the sea.
What are they doing?
What’s happening?
Why aren’t you doing your homework?
Aren’t I sitting up straight?

- Form the present progressive tense like this:
am + present participle
is + present participle
are + present participle

- The present participle is the form of a verb ending with -ing. For example:
show + ing = showing
come + ing = coming

- You have to double the last letter of some verbs before you add -ing. For example:
get + ing = getting rob + ing = robbing
nod + ing = nodding stop + ing = stopping
jog + ing = jogging swim + ing = swimming

- Notice that the verbs above are all short verbs of just one syllable.
They all end with a consonant such as b, d, g, m, p, t and have only one vowel before the consonant.

- If a verb ends in e, you usually have to drop the e
before you add -ing. For example:
chase + ing = chasing
cycle + ing = cycling
drive + ing = driving
smile + ing = smiling

Use the present progressive tense to talk about things you have planned to do, or things that are going to happen in the future. To form the present progressive tense, use am, is and are as helping verbs or auxiliary verbs.
We are going camping tomorrow.
I’m starting piano lessons soon.
Jim’s parents are taking him to Texas next week.
My favorite TV program is starting in a minute.
All our friends are coming.
Who’s bringing salad for the barbecue? I am.
I am visiting Joe next week.
Where are you going for your vacation?
What are we eating for dinner?