English Language Arts
Grade 5
15 min
Form the progressive verb tenses
Form the progressive verb tenses
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the three main progressive tenses: past, present, and future.
Form the present progressive tense using the correct helping verb (am, is, are) and a present participle (-ing verb).
Form the past progressive tense using the correct helping verb (was, were) and a present participle (-ing verb).
Form the future progressive tense using the helping verbs 'will be' and a present participle (-ing verb).
Convert a sentence from a simple tense to a progressive tense.
Use progressive verb tenses correctly to describe ongoing actions in their own writing.
What is happening at this very moment? 🏃♀️ You are reading this sentence, and the world is spinning!
Today, we will learn about progressive verb tenses, which show actions that are, were, or wi...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Progressive TenseA verb tense that shows an action is, was, or will be ongoing or in progress for a period of time. It is also called the 'continuous tense'.She is building a sandcastle. (The action of building is happening now.)
Helping VerbA verb that comes before the main verb to 'help' show the tense. For progressive tenses, the helping verbs are forms of 'to be'.In the sentence 'They were laughing,' the word 'were' is the helping verb.
Present ParticipleThe form of a verb that ends in -ing. It is used with a helping verb to create the progressive tenses.The present participle of 'jump' is 'jumping'.
Present ProgressiveShows an action that is happening right now.I am typing on my keyboard.
Past...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Present Progressive Formula
Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
Use this to describe an action happening now. Choose 'am' for 'I', 'is' for singular subjects (he, she, it, the dog), and 'are' for plural subjects (we, they, the dogs) and 'you'.
Past Progressive Formula
Subject + was/were + verb-ing
Use this to describe an ongoing action in the past. Choose 'was' for singular subjects (I, he, she, it) and 'were' for plural subjects (we, they) and 'you'.
Future Progressive Formula
Subject + will be + verb-ing
Use this to describe an ongoing action in the future. The helping verbs 'will be' are used for all subjects, both singular and plural.
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Challenging
Read the short paragraph: "(1) Last night, I started my project. (2) I was working on the poster when my friend called. (3) We talked for an hour. (4) I will finish the project today." Which sentence uses the past progressive tense to show an ongoing action that was interrupted?
A.Sentence 1
B.Sentence 2
C.Sentence 3
D.Sentence 4
Challenging
How would you correctly change the sentence "Maria and I walk to school" to the present progressive tense?
A.Maria and I is walking to school.
B.Maria and I am walking to school.
C.Maria and I were walking to school.
D.Maria and I are walking to school.
Challenging
Why is the future progressive tense used in the sentence "This time next week, I will be relaxing on a beach"?
A.To show the action is already finished.
B.To show the action is a simple, one-time event.
C.To show the action will be in progress for a period of time in the future.
D.To show the action happened in the past.
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