Progressive Verb-Phrases
Progressive Verb-Phrases :
In addition to the tense-forms already described, verbs have so-called progressive forms .
The progressive form of a tense represents the action of the verb as going on or continuing at the time referred to.
1. I ate my dinner.
2. I was eating my dinner.
3. While I was quietly reading by my fireside, strange things were taking place in the square.
Both ATE and WAS EATING are in the past tense. But ATE merely expresses a past action, whereas WAS EATING describes this action as continuing or in progress in past time.
The progressive form is a verb-phrase made by prefixing to the present participle some form of the verb to be.
Progressive Form
Active Voice………Present Tense
SINGULAR……….PLURAL
1. 1. I am striking. ……….1. We are striking.
2. 2. Thou art striking. ………2. You are striking.
3. 3. He is striking. ………3. They are striking.
So in the other tenses:
Past : I was striking, etc.
Future : I shall be striking, etc.
Perfect : I have been striking, etc.
Pluperfect : I had been striking, etc.
Future Perfect : I shall have been striking, etc.
Passive Voice
Present : I am being struck, etc.
Past : I was being struck, etc.
In the passive, the progressive forms are confined to the present and the past tense.
1. He is being helped by his brother. [Present.]
2. I am being trained by Arthur Ray. [Present.]
3. When I called, tea was being served. [Past.]
In subordinate clauses, the verb is (in its various forms) with its subject is often omitted in progressive phrases.
1. While waiting for the train, I bought a newspaper. [That is, While I was waiting.]
2. Though [he was] swimming vigorously, he could not stem the tide.
3. When [I am] reading, I like to have the light shine over my left shoulder.
In parsing, the omitted words should be supplied.
Progressive Verb-Phrases :
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