Progressive Tense Verbs

Progressive Tense Verbs

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Progressive tense verbs are used to show a continuing or ongoing action or condition at some point in time. Progressive tense verbs use a form of the verb “to be” and the present participle of the verb (the –ing form).

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The present progressive tense names an action or condition that is currently in progress.

• It consists of the helping verbs am, is, or are and the present participle.

• Ex. She is watching television.

The past progressive tense names an action or condition that lasted for a duration of time in the past. It may have been interrupted or occurred at the same time as something else.

• It consists of the helping verbs was or were and the present participle.

• Ex. I was reading when he arrived.

The future progressive tense names an action or condition that the subject will be in progress of doing at some point in the future.

• It consists of the helping verb will be or am/is/are going to be and the present participle.

• Ex. He will be finishing college this spring.

• Ex. You are going to be in seventh grade next year.

Identify the underlined progressive tense verbs as present, past, or future.

Multiple Choice

I am stopping at the next rest stop I see.

• present progressive

• past progressive

• future progressive

Multiple Choice

They will be spending the whole day at the beach.

• present progressive

• past progressive

• future progressive

Multiple Choice

Our teacher was planning to take us outside, but it was too cold.

• present progressive

• past progressive

• future progressive

Multiple Choice

Jim and Pam were leaving the house when the phone rang.

• present progressive

• past progressive

• future progressive

Multiple Choice

The doctor is examining the patient.

• present progressive

• past progressive

• future progressive

Type the correct form of the verb given.

Fill in the Blank

paint (past progressive tense)

Fill in the Blank

dance (present progressive tense)

Fill in the Blank

cook (future progressive tense)

Fill in the Blank

think (past progressive tense)

Fill in the Blank

read (future progressive tense)