Verbs

Progressive FormThe progressive form of a verb shows continuing action. The event is in progress.She is running.He is cooking.They are swimming.She was reading a book when the lights went out.

Progressive FormEach of the 6 tenses has a progressive form, made by using a tense of the verb be with the present participle.

The Six Progressive FormsPresent Progressive

We are dancing.

Past Progressive

We were dancing.

Future Progressive

We will be dancing.

Present Perfect Progressive

We have been dancing.

Past Perfect Progressive

We had been dancing.

Future Perfect Progressive

We will have been dancing.

Present ProgressiveThe present progressive is often used with an adverb of time to indicate future action.Rosa is leaving next week.

Emphatic FormThe emphatic form gives special

force to a verb.The emphatic form is used only in

the present and past tenses. It is used to correct or contradict.

I did finish my homework.I do try to be neat.It does matter.

PracticeWrite a progressive or emphatic form

of the verb in parenthesis, using the correct tense. American writer John Cheever had

some emotional problems, but he (manage) to create many remarkable short stories and novels.

While he (attend) prep school, he got expelled for smoking.

Although he was not concerned about his formal education, he (care) about becoming a writer.

AnswersAmerican writer John Cheever had

some emotional problems, but he did manage to create many remarkable short stories and novels.

While he was attending prep school, he got expelled for smoking.

Although he was not concerned about his formal education, he did care about becoming a writer.