Making -ing

10 MINUTE LESSON RULES:

1. Read each example out loud several times.
2. Pay close attention to the notes.

One important verb form is ～ている. It can be compared with the English “be ~ing.” Let’s do some studyING!

A Prelude…

BEFORE THE LESSON YOU NEED TO KNOW…

Basically how to make the て form (full て form lesson here):

1. のむ → のんで (to drink)
2. たべる → たべて (to eat)
3. する → して (to do)

And know that います is the ます form of いる.

始(はじ)めましょう！ Let’s begin…

KEY SENTENCE — please repeat several times:

何(なに)をしていますか？

What are you doING?

勉強(べんきょう)しています。

I am studyING.

NOTE: Just like the English ~ing, it is assumed the action started in the past and continues now.

To use the form, change the first verb into the て form. Then add いる (or います).

NOTE: Sometimes the English doesn’t use ~ing. But it still describes what is being done NOW.

ゴジラは怒(おこ)っています。

Godzilla is angry. (angry-ING)

熊(くま)のプーさんがかっこういいと思(おも)っています。

I think Winnie the Pooh is cool.
(思(おも)っています — “am thinking” or “even now I think…”)

NOTE: You may also use this form when stating things that are done on a regular basis (even if you are not presently doing the activity):

毎日(まいにち)、日本語(にほんご)を一時間(いちじかん)勉強(べんきょう)しています。

Every day, I study Japanese for an hour.

MORE EXAMPLES:

• 泣(な)いている（or 泣(な)いています）— “be cryING”
• 話(はな)している — “be talkING”
• スカイダイビングしている — “be skydivING”

NOTE: Last thing — one exception: movement verbs.

日本(にほん)に行(い)っています。

(He) went to Japan. (and is still there)

ここにきています。

(He) came here. (and is still here)

うちに帰(かえ)っています。

(He) returned home. (and is still there)