The verb tense present progressive is also called present continuous. This present tense shows ongoing action that is happening right now.
Present progressive tense uses the helping verb is, am or are.
Present progressive tense also adds –ing to the end of the verb.
Present tense: I walk to school.
Present progressive tense: I am walking to school.
Use helping verb am with the subject I.
I read. I am reading.
Use helping verb is with singular subjects he and she. Male and female subjects also use is.
She reads. She is reading.
Mary reads. Mary is reading.
He writes. He is writing.
Bob writes. Bob is writing.
Use helping verb are with plural subjects we and they.
We read. We are reading.
They write. They are writing.
Other plural subjects also use helping verb are.
The plural subject might be two names. Or the plural subject might be a group. Look at these examples:
Bob and Jim are playing basketball.
Sam and I are playing tennis.
The boys are playing baseball.
More examples of present progressive/continuous tense:
I am going to the store.
I am attending a meeting.
She is helping me with my homework.
He is playing in a concert.
They are having a party.
We are reading the play.
Present progressive/continuous tense shows the subject doing something continually at the present time.
Present progressive/continuous tense uses a helping verb – am, is, are – and adds -ing to the end of the verb.