1. Present Progressive (Present Continuous)
Used for actions in progress at or around now:
- At the moment: happening right now.
Example: I am studying English.
- Temporary around now: these days or weeks.
Example: She is living in an apartment this month.
- Fixed arrangements: planned future events.
Example: We are meeting friends tonight.
- Annoying habits: repeated actions with irritation.
Example: You are always complaining!
Forming the Present Progressive
Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
- Examples: I am reading a book. They are listening to music.
- Negatives: am/is/are
not + verb-ing (I am not sleeping.)
- Questions: am/is/are + subject + verb-ing (Are you listening?)
2. Past Progressive (Past Continuous)
Used for actions in progress at a specific past time:
- At a past moment: ongoing at that time.
Example: At 8 PM, I was eating dinner.
- Interrupted action: one action in progress when another occurred.
Example: I was walking when it started to rain.
- Parallel actions: two actions at same time.
Example: She was studying while he was driving.
Forming the Past Progressive
Subject + was/were + verb-ing
- Examples: He was sleeping. We were talking.
- Negatives: was/were
not + verb-ing (They weren't paying attention.)
- Questions: was/were + subject + verb-ing (Were you waiting?)
Key Difference
- Present Progressive: action in progress now.
- Past Progressive: action in progress at a past time.