Korean grammar - The Progressive Tense - 고 있다

The Progressive Tense - 고 있다

Pattern: Verb stem + 고 있다

The progressive (or present continuous) denotes that an action is ongoing and long lasting.

This is equivalent of the 'to be ~ing' form in English (for example: 'I am doing').

This tense is formed using the Verb ending + 고 있다.

There are past, present and future forms:

• Present Progressive: -고 있어요 (is doing)

• Past Progressive: -고 있었어요 (was doing)

• Future Progressive: -고 있을 거예요 (will be doing)

Examples:
	저는 친구랑 이야기하고 있어요. I am talking with a friend. Present
	저는 한국에서 살고 있어요. I am living in Korean. Present This is more colloquial than 저는 한국에서 살아요.
	한 소녀가 공원에서 책을 읽고 있어요. A girl is reading a book in a park. Present 소녀 means 'girl' or 'young female'
	아직도 눈이 내리고 있잖아요. As you know, it is still snowing. Present
	어머니는 생선도 굽고 있어요. Mother is also grilling fish. Present
	화가가 바닷가에서 그림을 그리고 있어요. A painter is painting at the beach. Present
	물이 끓고 있었어요. The water was boiling. Past
	친구는 생일 파티를 계획하고 있어요. A friend is planning a birthday party. Present 계획하다 means 'to plan'
	요즘에 한국어를 열심히 공부하고 있지만 아직도 잘 못해요. Even though I am studying Korean hard these days, I still can’t speak well. Present Note that the verb for speaking a language is 하다 (not 말하다)
	지금 공부를 하고 있기 때문에 통화할 수 없어요. (I) cannot talk with you on the phone because (I) am studying now. Present
	저는 공부하고 있을 거예요. I will be studying. Future
	저는 영화 보고 있을 거예요. I will be watching a movie. Future
	밥을 먹고 있었기 때문에 전화를 못 받았어요. (I) didn't answer the phone because (I) was eating. Past
	학생들은 수업 시간 동안 자고 있었어요. The students were sleeping during class. Past
	다음 주에 시험 공부를 하고 있을 거예요. (You) will be studying for an exam next week. Future
	저는 닭에게 모이를 먹이고 있어요. I am feeding chicken(s) chicken feed. Present 먹이다 means 'to feed' 모이 means 'feed for poultry' or 'chicken feed'
	집에 도착하면 저는 여전히 일하고 있을 거예요. When (you) get home, I'll still be working. Future 여전히 means 'still' or 'as usual'
	이사할 준비를 하고 있어요. (I) am preparing to move. Present
	그는 학교에 다니고 있지 않아요. He is not going to (attending) school. Present 다니다 means 'to go for a purpose' or 'to attend' Note that 다니다 takes the preposition 에.