PROGRESSIVE TENSE

1) CONTINUOUS ACTIVITY
Used to emphasize the continuous nature of any given activity.

I was watching television at 8 o'clock last night.

Fred is speaking on the telephone at the moment. They will be eating lunch at Harold's tomorrow.

2) ACTIVITY IN PROGRESS INTERSECTED BY A NON-CONTINUOUS ACTIVITY I was watching television when Susan telephoned.

They will be working in the garden when you arrive.

3) TWO CONTINUOUS ACTIVITIES OCCURRING AT THE SAME

TIME Peter was cooking dinner while I was working at the computer.

Present progressive
describes an on-going action that is happening at the same time the statement is written. This tense is formed by using am/is/are with the verb form ending in -ing.

am + (base form + -ing) : I am working. is + (base form + -ing) : She is eating. are + (base form + -ing) : We are studying.

1. A planned activity. Sofia is starting school at CEC tomorrow

2. An activity that is occurring right now. Jan is watching TV right now. 3. An activity that is in progress, although not actually occurring at the time of speaking. Sara is learning English at CEC.

describes a past action which was happening when another action occurred. This tense is formed by using was/were with the verb form ending in -ing. was + (base form + -ing) : I was working. were + (base form + -ing) : They were eating.

Past progressive

1. A past activity in progress while another activity occurred. At 6:00 yesterday I was eating dinner. The phone rang while I was eating.
2. Two past activities in progress at the same time. While I was answering the phone, my wife was cooking dinner.

describes an ongoing or continuous action that will take place in the future. This tense is formed by using will be or shall be with the verb form ending in -ing. will be + (base form + -ing): I will be working. He will be eating.

future progressive

1. An activity that will be in progress. Tomorrow Sam will be studying for the test on Unit 1.