Definition & Meaning of "present progressive"

What is the "present progressive"?

The present progressive is a verb tense used to describe actions that are currently happening or ongoing. It is formed by using the auxiliary verb "to be" followed by the present participle of the main verb, which typically ends in "-ing." For example, in the sentence "She is reading a book," the phrase "is reading" indicates that the action is taking place right now. The present progressive is also used to express future plans or arrangements, such as "I am meeting my friend tomorrow." This tense is important for conveying actions that are in progress and for discussing future activities.