English // Grammar & Punctuation

Progressive and Continuous Tenses

Form and use the progressive (continuous) verb tenses — past progressive (was walking), present progressive (am walking), and future progressive (will be walking) — to convey ongoing actions at different times

Ages
9 to 10
Type
Method
Builds on
2 topics
Leads to
2 topics
Standards
1 code

Quick check

If the learner wants to describe an action that was happening over a period of time in the past — like "I was reading when the phone rang" — can they write the verb in the right ongoing-past form?

Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.

Topic // Mastery

What mastery looks like

What a learner can do once this topic is secure.
  • Write sentences using past progressive to describe an action that was ongoing at a particular time, e.g. 'She was reading when the phone rang'
  • Distinguish present progressive from simple present, e.g. 'I am eating lunch' (right now) vs 'I eat lunch at noon' (habitual)
  • Form the future progressive using 'will be' + present participle to describe an action that will be ongoing, e.g. 'Tomorrow at 3pm I will be travelling'

Topic // Map

Where this fits

What to learn first and what this topic opens up, with the reason for each link. Required links come first.
  • RequiredMust come first
  • HelpfulHelps, but not essential

Before this

2 topics
  • Simple Past, Present and FutureRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 8 to 9

    Progressive tenses build on simple tenses; learners must control simple past/present/future before forming progressive (was walking, am walking, will be walking)

  • Past, Present and Progressive TenseHelpful

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 6 to 9

    Year 2 progressive forms (is drumming, was shouting) introduced the concept; G4 extends to all three progressive tenses

You are here

Progressive and Continuous Tenses

Ages 9 to 10 // Method

Leads to

2 topics
  • Choosing Tenses for Precise MeaningRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 10 to 11

    Verb tense variety builds on progressive tenses

  • Consistent verb tenseHelpful

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 10 to 11

    Recognising tense shifts is enriched by knowledge of progressive tenses, which are a common source of unintentional shifts

Topic // Standards

Curriculum standards

Codes for the curriculum statements this topic maps to. Each publisher owns its standard text.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
L.4.1b

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