The progressive form
You learn to find the progressive form: is running, was playing.
How to do the test
- Look for is, am, are, was or were.
- Check the next word for -ing.
- Together they show an action in progress.
A worked example
Tap the verb that shows an action in progress. Dad is cooking dinner, and I laid the table.
- It is made from is and a verb ending in -ing: cooking.
- It shows an action that is in progress.
- The verb laid is a simple verb and does not show an action in progress.
- Is cooking is the progressive verb.
More examples
Tap the verb that shows an action in progress. We were walking home when it started to rain.
- It is made from were and a verb ending in -ing: walking.
- It shows an action that is in progress.
- The verb started is a simple verb and does not show an action in progress.
- Were walking is the progressive verb.
Tap the verb that shows an action in progress. Tom shouts while Mia is laughing.
- It is made from is and a verb ending in -ing: laughing.
- It shows an action that is in progress.
- The verb shouts is a simple verb and does not show an action in progress.
- Is laughing is the progressive verb.
Watch out
You tap only the -ing word, like cooking.
Tap both words: the form of be and the -ing word. Together they are the progressive verb.
Tips
- Is, am and are make the present progressive. Was and were make the past progressive.
Why it works
The progressive form shows an action that is in progress. It is made from is, am, are, was or were plus a verb ending in -ing. The two words work together as one verb.