Language Structures — Part 3: Building Blocks / 5d


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       3.5a3 - Simple vs. Continuous (Progressive) Form

Most of the examples given in previous sections can be re-phrased in progressive (also said continuous) form:

  • Simple form (present, indicative mode):
    Our parents live in Bulgaria.
  • Progressive form (present progressive, indicative mode):
    Our parents are living in Bulgaria.
    • [Press here for a larger sample]
Progressive (or continuous) forms shadow regular (or simple) forms for most verbs, but not for all.

When the verb points to an activity or a state which merges with one's own identity, the progressive form is not available. It is therefore wrong to say or write:

  • I am loving Geneviève.
  • Harry is being an engineer
Verbs which point to in-built ways of being or performing are called stative verbs. Verbs which are not stative are dynamic. Only the latter can be set in progressive form.

[A list of stative verbs is found in Alexander's grammar, p. 341.]

The progressive form, particularly common in English, is also found in other languages.

    French equivalent is "être en train de ...":
  • Jacques est en train de regarder la TV.
    [Jacques is watching TV]

    • Italians have "stare facendo ...":
  • Che stavi dicendo a Roberta, l'altro giorno?
    [What were you saying to Roberta, the other day?]

    • Although German has no progressive form as such, the following comes near to it:
  • Sie ist dabei, das Bett zu machen.

    • [roughly translated: She is at it: making the bed.]
The difference between "I am watching football" and "I watch football" is that in the first the action is depicted in progress (right now I am doing that) and the second points to a recursive activity, to a habit.

[For details, see Alexander's grammar starting from page 159.]

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FOOTNOTES
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  • Simple form (present, infinitive mode):
    To eat is necessary for survival.
  • Progressive form (present progressive, infinitive mode):
    To be eating is necessary for survival.

  • Simple form (present, imperative mode):
    Don't cry!
  • Progressive form (present progressive, imperative mode):
    Don't be crying!

  • Simple form (simple past, indicative mode):
    They listened silently to the concert.
  • Progressive form (simple past progressive, indicative mode):
    They were listening silently to the concert.

  • Simple form (simple future, indicative mode):
    He shall buy some more clothes.
  • Progressive form (simple future progressive, indicative mode):
    He shall be buying some more clothes.

  • Simple form (future perfect, indicative mode):
    By the time the party is over, your children shall have played with ours.
  • Progressive form (future perfect progressive, indicative mode):
    By the time the party is over, your children shall have been playing with ours.

  • Simple form (present, subjunctive mode):
    It is advisable that he buy warmer clothes.
  • Progressive form (present progressive, subjunctive mode):
    It is advisable that he be buying warmer clothes.

  • Simple form (present, conditional mode):
    Only if you come with me, would I go back into that room.
  • Progressive form (present progressive, conditional mode):
    Only if you come with me, would I be going back into that room.
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