Present Progressive

Mr. Brown and his grandchild are assembling a model plane.

Josie is not (isnt) paying attention in class.
Am I making myself understood?

Structure: This tense is grammatically structured by always using a subject, the auxiliary verb Be, the adverb not for negative
sentences, and any necessary verb in the gerund form.

Use: This tense is used to describe actions happening or in progress at the moment.

Time expressions: right now, now, at present, presently, for the time being, currently, at the moment, at the present,
nowadays, this ________ (week, fortnight, month, trimester, semester, year, decade, century, millennium)

Past Progressive

Miranda and Eufemia were having a lively remembrance of their younger years.
Your friend was not (wasnt) playing roulette at The Mirage Casino last weekend.
Were you saying something to me?

Structure: This tense is grammatically structured by always using a subject, the auxiliary verb Be in the past tense, the adverb
not for negative sentences, and any necessary verb in the gerund form.

Use: This tense is used to describe actions happening or in progress at a specific or around some time in the past.

Time expressions: as, while, this time _______ (yesterday, last ___ Monday, Tuesday, etc.), last night, at noon ______
(yesterday, last (day)), yesterday, last ___ morning, noon, afternoon, evening, night, overnight; 1, 2 days,
nights, weeks, months, years, decades, centuries, millenniums, etc., ago.

Future Progressive

Mr. Collins will be watching a soccer match on Saturday night.

I know you will not (wont) be cooking chilaquiles tomorrow morning.
Will all Mexicans be voting next July?

Structure: This tense is grammatically structured by always using a subject, the modal auxiliary will or going to, the auxiliary
verb be, the adverb not for negative sentences, and any necessary verb in the gerund form.
Use: This tense is used to describe actions that will be happening or in progress at a specific time or period of time in the
future.

Time expressions: this time _____ (tomorrow, after tomorrow, in 2 days, next Monday, Tuesday, next Dec 24th, etc.), next
fortnight, next week, next trimester, next semester, next year, next decade, next century, next millennium, etc.

Present Perfect Progressive

Dr. Marinis has been practicing open heart surgeries for the last twenty five years.
Rose and her secretary have not (havent) been working together since they left university.
Have you been taking early walks for the last two years?

Structure: This tense is grammatically structured by always using a subject, the main auxiliary have, the auxiliary
verb be, the adverb not for negative sentences, and any necessary verb in the gerund form.

Use: This tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and have continued up to the present.

Time expressions: Since. We use since to describe a specific point of time in the past when the action started.
For. This connector is used with the purpose of describing the duration of the action.
Recently. This adverb is used instead of since or for, and it describes the most recent moments, minutes,
hours, or up to a couple of days.
Lately. This adverb is also used instead of since oe for, and it describes actions or events taking place on
the latest days, weeks, or even months.

Past Perfect Progressive

Nepomuceno had been working in his orchard all week long.

The soccer team had not (hadnt) been playing really well.
Had you been speaking with Kelly and Nelly for the whole morning?

Structure: This tense is grammatically structured by always using a subject, the main auxiliary had, the auxiliary
verb be, the adverb not for negative sentences, and any necessary verb in the gerund form.

Use: This tense is used to describe continuous actions completed at some point in the past.

Time expressions: Since. We use since to describe a specific point of time in the past when the action started.
For. This connector is used with the purpose of describing the duration of the action.
Because. This adverb is used to describe reasons that identify the action in progress.
When. This adverb is used to describe a time when the action happened.
Before. This adverb is also used to describe a time when the action took place.