Explain Progressive Verb Forms

How do I show actions in progress?

The six tenses (present, past, future, present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect) can also be used in a form that shows action in progress. This form is called the progressive (or continuous) form. In this form, the action is happening, was happening, or will be happening. This verb form requires helping verbs and a change in the form of the main verb.

The main verb in the progressive form changes to its present participle. The present participle of a verb is formed by adding "-ing" to the main verb.

Examples

main verb                present participle
try                                   trying
stay                                  staying
hit                                    hitting
become                             becoming 

Which helping verbs should I use?

The helping verb in the progressive forms is the verb "to be." This is an irregular verb, which is very common in English. It is used in many sentences as a main verb, but for now we will concentrate on its use as a helping verb in progressive forms.

Example

Women are beginning to share equally in the opportunities of this society.

• Verb phrase: are beginning
• "Are," a present tense form of the verb "to be," is the helping verb.
• "Beginning" is the present participle of the verb "begin."
• The tense of this sentence is present, and its form is progressive.
• The perfect tenses require the use of two helping verbs to make the progressive form. The main verb uses the present participle, the form of "be" used as a helping verb switches to its past participle form "been." The form of the helping verb "have" shows the tense.

Example:

Women have been working toward this goal for over one hundred years.

• Verb phrase: have been working
• Helping verbs: "have" shows present tense and indicates perfect tense; "been" is the past participle of "be."
• Main verb: "working," which is the present participle of "work."
• The tense and form of this sentence are present perfect and progressive.

Notice:

To change tenses in the progressive form, simply change the tense of the helping verb. The main verb stays in its present participle form no matter which tense you are using.