progressive tense
Definition of progressive tense
grammar
: a verb tense that is used to refer to an action or a state that is continuing to happen In English, a verb form in the progressive tense consists of a form of the verb “be” followed by the main verb's present participle.
From the M-W Editors
Word by Word Definitions
: of, relating to, or characterized by progress
: making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunities
: of, relating to, or constituting an educational theory marked by emphasis on the individual child, informality of classroom procedure, and encouragement of self-expression
: one that is progressive
: one believing in moderate political change and especially social improvement by governmental action
: a member of any of various U.S. political parties: such as
: stretched tight : made taut : rigid
: feeling or showing nervous tension
: marked by strain or suspense
: to make tense
: to become tense
: a distinction of form in a verb to express distinctions of time or duration of the action or state it denotes
: a set of inflectional forms of a verb that express distinctions of time
: an inflectional form of a verb expressing a specific time distinction
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