Verbs — Simple and Continuous Forms

Verbs — Simple and Continuous Forms

All verbs in English have both a simple form and a continuous form. We have already studied the simple form. The continuous form (also called progressive form) is obtained from the verb to be, used as an auxiliary, and the present participle of the main verb. There is a continuous form for each of the six regular tenses in English. The continuous form is used to describe an action going on or continuing at some designated point in present time, past time, future time, etc.

	Verb to work, continuous form
The Present Tense	He is working.
The Past Tense	He was working.
The Future Tense	He will be working.
The Present Perfect Tense	He has been working.
The Past Perfect Tense	He had been working.
The Future Perfect Tense	He will have been working.