What is the difference between progressive and continuous?

When learning English, you generally come across these two terms: progressive and continuous. First, you need to realize that these are terms for certain verb tenses. They always consist of a form of ‘to be’ (‘am, is, are,’ etc.) as well as a verb in the ing-form (present participle).

Information: This explanation only deals with the progressive aspect. Here you will find the basic differences between the simple and the continuous form.

Next, the real problem is the assumption that two terms also stand for two different meanings. However, this is not the case. Basically, both mean exactly the same thing and can, therefore, replace one another. The term progressive is more commonly used, for example, in German-speaking regions and countries as this is usually the word utilized in English lessons at school. At specialized language schools for English as a foreign language (at home and abroad), on the other hand, there is a tendency towards continuous.

Meaning and naming of the tenses in the progressive form

As mentioned before, both expressions represent the progressive form – fundamentally a process that is currently ongoing at the specified point in time indicated in the statement, and that has not been completed yet. Particularities as well as special uses depend on the respective time (tense) and are listed separately in the following linked descriptions of the tenses.

As no difference is made between the two designations, the progressive tenses can also be named with both. Compare the example sentences in the table with the verb ‘to eat’:

Further explanations related to the ‘Difference of continuous and progressive’

The following explanations relate to the topic ‘Continuous or progressive (denoting the English progressive form)’ and may also be helpful:

• Signal words for English verb tenses
• Exercise 1: verb tenses