Progressive Forms of Verbs

Progessive Verbs

Past, Present and Future Progressive Verbs

What is a Progressive Verb?

• It is a verb that is showing us an action progressing, or continuing, over a period of time.

There are 3 types

• Past Progressive

• Present Progressive

• Future Progressive

Past Progressive

• Shows an action that happened over a period of time in the past.

• Example: A minute ago we were waiting in a long line outside the gate

• "were waiting" is the past progressive verb; it's showing the action 'waiting' and when it happened 'were' (a past tense linking word)

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is showing a past progressive verb?

• I walked home.

• We were walking home today.

• I will be walking home.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is showing a past progressive verb?

• We were talking about Epic Island.

• We talked about the story.

• We will talk tomorrow.

Present Progressive

• Shows an action that is going on right now and has been for some time.

• Example: We are talking to the teacher.

• "are talking" is the present progressive verb; 'talking' is showing the action (main verb) and 'are' is the helping verb letting us know when it is happening.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is showing a present progressive verb?

• I am playing with my friends.

• I was playing with my friends.

• I will be playing with my friends.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is showing a present progressive verb?

• We are playing Mario Kart.

• We were playing Mario Kart but then started fighting and had to stop.

• We will play Mario Kart tonight.

Future Progressive

• Shows an action that will be happening in the future over a period of time.

• Example: Five hours from now we will be going home.

• "will be going" is the future progressive verb: 'going' is the main verb and 'will be' is the helping verb letting us know when it is happening.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is showing a future progressive verb?

• I am playing with my friends.

• I was playing with my friends.

• I will be playing with my friends.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is showing a future progressive verb?

• I will be reading this book tomorrow.

• I have read this book.

• I am reading this book.

Notice!

There is a pattern that is happening with the verbs we are using!

The progressive verbs are following a pattern

• We have some sort of helping verb first (am, is, are, was, were, will be)

• Which is followed by our main verb ending in -ing

Practice Time!

Multiple Choice

What type is the progressive verb in the following sentence?

We were studying fossils and stone tools when the Natural History museum announced its new exhibit.

• Past Progressive

• Present Progressive

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

What type of progressive verb is in the following sentence?

At the museum, we will be focusing on Louis and Mary Leaky's field work in Africa.

• Past Progressive

• Present Progressive

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

What type of progressive verb is in the following sentence?

Our tour guide is showing us how the Stone Age tools were used.

• Past Progressive

• Present Progressive

• Future Progressive