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Tense guide
Presente progressivo (Present Continuous)

Language: Italian
Tense:
Person:

Practice conjugation drills

Introduction

This verb form describes an action that is happening right now, or an action that is in progress. It is very similar to using "is" or "are" with an "-ing" verb in English. It puts a strong focus on the fact that an activity is currently unfolding.

The most common use is to talk about an action happening at the exact moment of speaking. If you want to say what someone is doing right now, this is the form to use.

Che cosa fai? Sto leggendo un libro.
(What are you doing? I'm reading a book.)
Non fare rumore, il bambino sta dormendo.
(Don't make noise, the baby is sleeping.)
In questo momento, stiamo mangiando.
(At this moment, we are eating.)
Loro stanno guardando la televisione.
(They are watching television.)
Non posso rispondere adesso, sto guidando.
(I can't answer now, I'm driving.)
Chi è al telefono? È Maria che sta parlando con sua madre.
(Who is on the phone? It's Maria who is talking with her mother.)

Be careful. This form is used less in Italian than in English. For a simple statement about the present, the basic present tense is often preferred. Use this form only when you really want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the action.

You can also use this form for a temporary action happening around the present time, but not necessarily at this exact second. The action is ongoing during the current period of life.

In questo periodo sto lavorando molto.
(In this period, I'm working a lot.)
Marco sta cercando un nuovo appartamento.
(Marco is looking for a new apartment.)
Ultimamente, stiamo studiando l'italiano.
(Lately, we are studying Italian.)

This form is also used to describe a situation that is gradually changing or developing.

La tecnologia sta cambiando il mondo.
(Technology is changing the world.)
Piano piano, la situazione sta migliorando.
(Slowly, the situation is improving.)

It is very common to see this form in questions asking what someone is doing at the moment.

Cosa stai facendo?
(What are you doing?)
A cosa state pensando?
(What are you all thinking about?)

Conjugation patterns