progressive tense
- noun
- /ˈprɒɡrɛsɪv tɛns/
- Specialized
:
tiempo progresivo
- The teacher explained that the progressive tense shows actions that are currently happening, like "I am studying for my exam."
Examples
-
In English, the phrase "They were playing soccer" illustrates the progressive tense, indicating ongoing action in the past.
-
The third, the past progressive tense, is even more polite than the second.
Blog text (4) -
Though prescriptive grammars often warn students that stative verbs are not used in the present perfect progressive tense, the reality is that native speakers do not necessarily follow this prescribed rule.
Academic text (2018) -
When discussing grammar, it's crucial to understand how the progressive tense, such as in "She is reading a book," conveys ongoing activity.
Synonyms
1
5.5
A verb tense that shows an action is continuing
A verb form for actions happening now or around a time
A verb form that shows an action or state is happening now
Antonyms
- Specialized
1
4.2
A verb form that shows an action finished before now or another event
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound directly combines 'progressive' (indicating an action that is ongoing or in progress) with 'tense' (a verb form indicating time/aspect), so the meaning 'a tense/aspect marking ongoing actions' is transparently derivable from the parts. This follows standard grammatical naming patterns found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents is likely to understand the term.
Etymology
Progressive tense comes from the idea of progressive, showing 'in progress', and tense, the verb form, so it gives the picture of an action that is not finished. So when we say 'She is running', the tense tells us the action is 'happening now' and continuing.