The progressive form: is singing, was singing
Verbs that show an action in progress, the two parts they need, and the Standard English slip to avoid.
The answer
The progressive form of a verb shows an action that is in progress, using a form of be plus an -ing verb, such as she is drumming or he was shouting.
Examples
Michael is singing in the choir.
Present progressive.
The dogs were barking all night.
Past progressive.
I am reading a funny book.
We were eating dinner when the phone rang.
The progressive shows what was going on when something else happened.
How to spot it
- Look for two parts: am, is, are, was or were, then a verb ending in -ing.
- Present progressive uses am, is or are. Past progressive uses was or were.
- Ask whether the action was going on at the time. If so, the progressive fits.
The common mistake
Using was with a plural subject.
‘We was playing’ should be ‘We were playing’. Use was with I, he, she and it; use were with we, you and they.
When it is taught
- First met
- Year 2
- On the pupil word list
- Not as a separate term
Year 2 teaches the progressive form of verbs in the present and past tense to mark actions in progress (she is drumming, he was shouting). The KS2 test framework calls them present and past progressives.
Try a question
Change the verb to the past progressive.
The children play in the snow.
Show the answer
Answer: The children were playing in the snow.
The past progressive is were (past of be, agreeing with children) plus the -ing form playing.
Related terms
- Practise the 11+ skill: Maintain consistent tense
More grammar terms
Questions parents ask
Is the progressive the same as the continuous?
Yes. The national curriculum glossary says the progressive is also known as the continuous.
Is the progressive a tense?
The glossary calls it a form: English has two tenses, present and past, and the progressive combines with them. Schools and tests often say present progressive tense, and that is fine.
Can the progressive combine with has or had?
Yes: she has been practising, or he had been waiting for an hour. This is the perfect progressive.
Grammar turns up in 11+ English too
Many 11+ English papers include grammar and punctuation questions alongside comprehension. The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.