What Is the Progressive Aspect? (with Examples)

The progressive aspect (or continuing aspect as it's sometimes called) is the aspect of a verb that expresses an ongoing action.

Progressive aspect is the collective term for verbs (past, present, or future) in a progressive tense. (This means the perfect progressive tenses too.)

Examples of Verbs in the Progressive Aspect

Verbs in the progressive aspect are recognizable by the present participle (i.e., the word which ends -ing). Here are some examples of verbs in the progressive aspect. The list below includes verbs in the progressive tenses and the perfect progressive tenses.

In the Past Tense

He was singing.
We were playing.
She had been flying.

In the Present Tense

I am leaving.
They are diving.
They have been fighting.

In the Future Tense

I will be flying.
They will be acting.
She will have been singing.

Forming the Progressive Aspect

The progressive aspect is formed using a form of the auxiliary verb to be and the present participle. For example:

Forming the Past Progressive Tense

"was" or "were" + present participle

We were writing.

Forming the Present Progressive Tense

"is" or "are" + present participle

She is diving.
They are eating.

Forming the Future Progressive Tense

"will be" + present participle

He will be flying.

The progressive aspect also includes the perfect progressive tenses. These are formed using a form of the auxiliary verb to have, plus been, and the present participle. For example:

Forming the Past Perfect Progressive Tense

"had" + "been" + present participle

They had been eating.

Forming the Present Perfect Progressive Tense

"has" or "have" + "been" + present participle

He has been eating.
We have been eating.

Forming the Future Perfect Progressive Tense

"will have" + "been" + present participle

He will have been eating.

Verb Tenses Showing the Progressive Aspect

Here is a list of the verb tenses. The ones in the progressive aspect are shaded.

The 4 Past Tenses	Example
simple past tense	I went
past progressive tense	I was going
past perfect tense	I had gone
past perfect progressive tense	I had been going
The 4 Present Tenses	Example
simple present tense	I go
present progressive tense	I am going
present perfect tense	I have gone
present perfect progressive tense	I have been going
The 4 Future Tenses	Example
simple future tense	I will go
future progressive tense	I will be going
future perfect tense	I will have gone
future perfect progressive tense	I will have been going

Interactive Exercise

Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited and printed to create exercise worksheets.

Help Us To Improve Grammar Monster

Do you disagree with something on this page?
Did you spot a typo?

Please tell us using this form.

What is the continuing aspect? What is aspect? What are the progressive tenses? What are the perfect progressive tenses? What is the past progressive tense? What is the present progressive tense? What is the future progressive tense? What is the past perfect progressive Tense? What is the present perfect progressive tense? What is the future perfect progressive tense?

Technical Help

Download a Free Grammar Checker
Download Grammarly's app to help with eliminating grammar errors and finding the right words.

(The Grammarly app works with webmail, social media, and texting apps as well as online forms and Microsoft Office documents like Word.)

Self Help: Buy Our Book

"Smashing Grammar" (2019)
Written by the founder of Grammar Monster, "Smashing Grammar" includes a glossary of grammar essentials (from apostrophes to zeugma) and a chapter on easily confused words (from affect/effect to whether/if). Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to real-life, entertaining examples. All entries conclude with a section highlighting why the grammar point is relevant for a writer and top-level bullet points summarizing the entry. [More�]

"Grammar for Grown-ups" (2011)
Vocational rather than academic, "Grammar for Grown-ups" is packed with real-life examples and keeps you engaged with a wealth of great quotations from Homer the Greek to Homer the Simpson. Straight talking and methodical, Craig Shrives draws on his years compiling Grammar Monster and as an army officer to present a comprehensive but light-hearted and easily digestible grammar reference guide. [More�]