Progressive Aspect - (1) …在、正在+动词
进行态 — （1）……在、正在+动词
The progressive aspect with 在/正在 indicates that an action is ongoing (« being in the process of »).
Structure
Subject + 在 / 正在 + Verb
Elements
…在正在
How to use it
- In = in the process of (current); 正在 = in the process of (more emphatic).
Examples
他在看书。
tā zài kàn shū。
He is reading.
我正在做作业。
wǒ zhèngzài zuò zuòyè。
I am doing my homework.
她在打电话。
tā zài dǎ diànhuà。
She is on the phone.
我在这里。
wǒ zài zhèlǐ.
I am here.
Notes and exceptions
- 正在 is more emphatic than 在 alone.
- 在 + verb and 正在 + verb indicate an action in progress.
- 正在 emphasizes the action in progress (often more explicit/formal).
- For localization, we use 在 + place (not *正在 + place).
- 在 : be at; in the process of. This verb means "to exist" or "to be alive".
- 正在 : in the process of. The term "in the process of" is used to indicate that an action is currently occurring or an state persists.
Common mistakes
- Distinguish 在 progressive and 在 locative by context.
Practice quiz
Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.
1. 他____看书。
(He is reading.)
2. 我____做作业。
(I am doing my homework.)
3. 她____打电话。
(She is on the phone.)
4. 我____这里。
(I am here.)