The Present Progressive Tense

Add ing to most verbs. Ex. play playing, cry crying, bark barking

For verbs that end in e, remove the e and add ing. Ex: slide sliding, ride riding

For verbs that end in ie, change the ie to y and add ing. Ex: die dying, tie tying

For a verb whose last syllable is written with a consonant-vowel-consonant and is stressed, double the last letter before adding ing. Ex: beg begging, begin beginning. However: enter entering (last syllable is not stressed).

The present progressive tense is often overused by non-native speakers of English. It should only be used in the following contexts:

To describe an incomplete action which is in progress at the moment of speaking; usually with time expressions such as: now, at the moment, right now.

(During a phone call or in an e-mail) We are discussing the project at the moment.

To describe a plan or arrangement in the near future; usually with time expressions such as: tonight, tomorrow, this week, this Monday.

Jim‘s leaving for Brussels this evening.

To express actions that are repeated regularly; usually with a negative meaning and with the time expressions: always or forever.

Her husband is always complaining about his health.