Progressive Tenses with To Be

in the:Present

PastFuture

Language Objective: We will write complete sentences in the past, present and future progressive verb tense in three forms:

declarative negative

Interrogative.

Why do we use the progressive? We use the progressive to show actions that:

Past Present Future

*are happening in the present time and are ongoing.

* were happening in the past and were ongoing.

*will be happening in the future and will be ongoing.

Parts of Speech:Verbs

To be verb + verbing

Past: Present: Future:Singular subject/I: was I: am (All

subjects): will be

Plural subject/you: were Singular subject: is

Plural subject/you: are

Formulas & ExamplesDeclarative +Past: Subject + was/were + verbing + finisher. Example: A group of responsible students was preparing for their

test yesterday.

Present:Subject + am/is/are + verbing + finisher.

Example: At the moment, the students are diligently studying for their upcoming exam.

Future:Subject + will be + verbing + finisher.

Example: Flocks of birds will be migrating during the winter months.

Negative -Past: Subject + was/were + not + verbing +

finisher. Example: This morning, two children were not playing outside with the

rest of the class.

Present:Subject + am/is/are + not + verbing + finisher.

Example: Surprisingly, the temperamental dog is not barking at the mail carrier right now.

Future:Subject + will + not + be + verbing + finisher.

Example: Next year, retail stores will not be hiring as many employees.

Interrogative ?Past: Was/Were + subject + verbing + finisher? Example: Was the busy flight attendant serving refreshments

during the flight?

Present:Am/is/are + subject + verbing + finisher?

Example: Are they waiting for their teacher to arrive before they enter the classroom?

Future:Will + subject + be + verbing + finisher?

Example: Will drivers be consuming as much gasoline during the summer travel season?

Progressive Time MarkersPast Present Future

Yesterday Today Tomorrow

Earlier No Later

Last ________ Right now Next ______

For ____ (time period) For _____ (time period) For _____ (time period)

During At this moment During _______

Before Currently After _______

A while ago presently Soon