1. Progressive
Verbs
Grade 4
Copyright © 2014 by Write Score LLC

2. Past,, Present, and Future
Remember Verb Tenses?
Past,, Present, and Future
Present Tense
The present tense of a verb states an action that is happening now or that happens often.
Future Tense
The future tense of a verb states an action that will take place. Future tense uses the helping verbs will or shall before the verb.
Past Tense
The past tense of a verb states an action that happened at a specific time in the past.

3. Progressive Verbs
Progressive forms of a verb indicate that something is happening, was happening, or will be happening.
Progressive verbs are formed by combining a form of to be, the verb, and “–ing.”

4. Progressive Verb Tense Progressive Verb Tense
Simple Verb Tense
Vs.
Progressive Verb Tense
Present
Past
Future
Simple Verb Tense
She eats.
She ate.
She will eat.
Progressive Verb Tense
She is eating.
She was eating.
She will be eating.
is – a form of to be
was – a form of to be
will be – a form of to be
Adding “–ing” to the main verb makes it progressive.

5. Progressive Verbs
Progressive verbs are formed using verbs verbs are verbs that
show ongoing action.
dynamic
Dynamic
Sample Dynamic Verbs
ask
beg
call
drink
eat
learn
listen
play
rain
read
say
throw
whisper
work
write
change
grow
mature
widen
ache
feel
itch
arrive
fall
land
leave
lose
hit
kick
jump

6. Present Progressive Tense
The present progressive tense of a verb states an action that happens often or is happening now.
The present progressive tense uses a helping verb and adds “–ing” to the main verb.
We are leaving the house now.
The dog is chasing the cat.
Sarah and Mary are setting up the tent.
I am eating breakfast.

7. Past Progressive Tense
The past progressive tense of a verb states an action that happened in the past.
The past progressive tense uses a helping verb and adds “–ing” to the main verb.
The dog was chasing the cat.
We were leaving the house last night.
Sarah and Mary were setting up the tent.
I was eating breakfast.

8. Future Progressive Tense
The future progressive tense of a verb states an action that will take place.
The future progressive tense uses a helping verb and adds “–ing” to the main verb.
The dog will be chasing the cat all afternoon.
We will be leaving the house in a minute.
I will be eating breakfast.
Sarah and Mary will be setting up the tent after breakfast.

9. What is the Progressive Verb?
Is it Past,, Present, or Future Tense?
I am hoping to learn to ride horses.
am is the to be verb
hope is the main verb
“am hoping” is happening right now.
Present Tense

10. What is the Progressive Verb?
Is it Past,, Present, or Future Tense?
“was crying” already happened.
Past Tense
I was crying when our plans were cancelled due to rain.
was is the to be verb
crying is the main verb

11. What is the Progressive Verb?
Is it Past,, Present, or Future Tense?
“will be drinking” hasn’t happened yet.
Future Tense
She will be drinking a lot of water after the race.
will be is the to be verb
drinking is the main verb

12. Don’t forget – it’s happening now!
Present Progressive
Don’t forget – it’s happening now!
speak / are speaking
We _____________ with
the principal today.
are speaking
fly / am flying
I __________ to New York City.
am flying

13. Don’t forget – it’s already happened!
Past Progressive
Don’t forget – it’s already happened!
play / were playing
We ___________ catch all afternoon.
were playing
shake / was shaking
I __________ after the loud booming sound.
was shaking

14. Don’t forget – it hasn’t happened yet!
Present Progressive
Don’t forget – it hasn’t happened yet!
starve / will be starving
The children ______________
when they get home.
will be starving
Sleep / will be sleeping
I _____________as soon as my head hits the pillow.
will be sleeping

15. Let’s Try! I am hopping around the house.
I will be hopping around the house.
I have hopped around the house.
Present Progressive
Future Progressive
Past Progressive

16. Your Turn! Choose a verb from the list below.
Form a Present Progressive Tense Verb,
a Past Progressive Tense Verb, and a
Future Progressive Tense Verb.
Write your verbs on your whiteboard.
Be ready to share your thinking.
beg
ask
call
itch
hit
throw
Sample Dynamic Verbs
ask
beg
call
drink
eat
learn
listen
play
rain
read
say
throw
whisper
work
write
change
grow
mature
widen
ache
feel
itch
arrive
fall
land
leave
lose
hit
kick
jump

17. What is the Progressive Verb?
Is it Past,, Present, or Future Tense?
“is dancing” is happening right now.
Present Tense
She is dancing the hula at the luau.
is is the to be verb
dancing is the main verb

18. What is the Progressive Verb?
Is it Past,, Present, or Future Tense?
We were eating popcorn while we watched the movie.
“were eating” already happened.
Past Tense
were is the to be verb
eating is the main verb

19. What is the Progressive Verb?
Is it Past,, Present, or Future Tense?
Mary will be arriving later than she expected.
“will be arriving” hasn’t happened yet.
Future Tense
will be is the to be verb
arriving is the main verb
Meep Meep!

20. Let’s Try! We___________from Jason under the porch. are hiding
The dog _____________ on his bone in the backyard.
In art class the students _______________bowls of fruit.
are hiding
Present Progressive
was chewing
Past Progressive
Future Progressive
will be drawing

21. Your Turn! Complete the handout “Progressive Verbs”.
You will be working independently.
We will check your work when you are done.
Bye! Bye!