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Korean Grammar Basic #16 — -고 있다 (Progressive Form)


1️⃣ Introduction


Learn how to express ongoing actions in Korean using -고 있다 (-go it-da).


This grammar is used to describe something that is happening right now, was happening, or will be happening — just like the English “be + -ing” form.



2️⃣ Grammar Explanation


🔹 -고 있다 (Progressive Form) (-go it-da)


In Korean, you can use -고 있다 to describe actions that are happening right now or were happening in the past.It’s made by attaching -고 있다 to the verb stem.

Think of it like:

verb + “고 있다” → “be doing (verb)”

  • When you make the progressive form, you remove -다 from the dictionary form (Verb) and attach -고 있다.Then you change 있다 to the correct tense — 있어요 / 있었어요 / 있을 거예요 

Step

Explanation

Example

1️⃣

Take the verb in its dictionary form

공부하다 (gong-bu-ha-da)

2️⃣

Remove -다 and add -고 있다

공부하고 있다 (to be studying)

3️⃣

Change the verb 있다 according to tense

공부하고 있어요 / 있었어요 / 있을 거예요

Base Form

Rule

Example

Meaning

Verb stem + 고 있다

infinitive form

공부하고 있다

to be studying

Verb stem+ 고 있어요

Action in progress (present)

공부하고 있어요

am/are/is studying

Verb stem + 고 있었어요

Action in progress (past)

공부하고 있었어요

was studying

Verb stem + 고 있을 거예요

Action in progress (future)

공부하고 있을 거예요

will be studying


Usage


  • An action that is happening right now.

  • Something that was happening in the past.

  • Something that will be happening in the future (prediction).



Example Sentences


🔹 Present Tense


  • 지금 한국어를 공부하고 있어요.

    (ji-geum han-gu-geo-reul gong-bu-ha-go i-sseo-yo) 

    → I’m studying Korean now.


  • 친구가 전화를 하고 있어요.

    (chin-gu-ga jeon-hwa-reul ha-go i-sseo-yo) 

    → My friend is making a phone call.


  • 밖에 비가 오고 있어요.

    (bak-ke bi-ga o-go i-sseo-yo) 

    → It’s raining outside.


🔹 Past Tense

  • 어제 이 시간에 영화를 보고 있었어요.

    (eo-je i si-ga-ne yeong-hwa-reul bo-go i-sseo-sseo-yo) 

    → I was watching a movie at this time yesterday.


  • 친구가 자고 있었어요.

    (chin-gu-ga ja-go i-sseo-sseo-yo) →

    My friend was sleeping.


🔹 Future Tense

  • 내일 이 시간에 저는 일하고 있을 거예요.

    (nae-il i si-ga-ne jeo-neun il-ha-go i-sseul geo-ye-yo) 

    → I’ll be working at this time tomorrow.


  • 10시에는 아마 수업을 하고 있을 거예요.

    (yeol-si-e-neun a-ma su-eo-beul ha-go i-sseul geo-ye-yo) 

    → I’ll probably be teaching a class at 10 o’clock.



3️⃣ Comparison:Comparison: Present / Past / Future (Progressive vs. Simple)


Let’s compare how progressive forms (-고 있다) differ from simple tenses (-아요/-어요, -았어요, -을 거예요).

Category

Grammar Form

Example

English Meaning

Usage

Present Tense

-아요 / -어요

공부해요

I study / I’m studying (general or habitual)

Describes a regular or current action, not necessarily right now.

Present Progressive

-고 있어요

공부하고 있어요

I’m studying (right now)

Emphasizes that the action is happening at this moment.

Past Tense

-았어요 / -었어요

공부했어요

I studied

The action is finished in the past.

Past Progressive

-고 있었어요

공부하고 있었어요

I was studying

Emphasizes that the action was in progress at a past time.

Future Tense

-(으)ㄹ 거예요

공부할 거예요

I will study

Expresses a plan or decision.

Future Progressive

-고 있을 거예요

공부하고 있을 거예요

I’ll be studying

Describes something that will be happening at a specific time in the future.

  • In Korean, the progressive (-고 있다) adds the feeling of “right now” or “in the middle of.”

  • The simple tense (-아요/었어요/을 거예요) shows the fact or result.




3️⃣ Mini Practice


Fill in the blanks.



1️⃣ 지금 친구를 만나______.

(I’m meeting my friend now.)


2️⃣ 어제 음악을 듣______.

(I was listening to music yesterday.)


3️⃣ 내일은 일하______.

(I’ll be working tomorrow.)


4️⃣ 지금 비가 오______.

(It’s raining now.)


5️⃣ 어제 밤에 공부하______.

(I was studying last night.)






Answers


1️⃣ 만나고 있어요 → “meeting (now)” → present progressive.


2️⃣ 듣고 있었어요 → “was listening” → past progressive.


3️⃣ 일하고 있을 거예요 → “will be working” → future progressive.


4️⃣ 오고 있어요 → “is raining” → present progressive.


5️⃣ 공부하고 있었어요 → “was studying” → past progressive.



  • Add -고 있다 to the verb stem.

  • Remove -다 and attach tense to 있다 (있어요 / 있었어요 / 있을 거예요).





Vocabulary Check


Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

공부하다

(gong-bu-ha-da)

to study

일하다

(il-ha-da)

to work

듣다

(deut-da)

to listen

오다

(o-da)

to come

자다

(ja-da)

to sleep

만나다

(man-na-da)

to meet






Summary


Grammar

Function

Example

Meaning

-고 있어요

Present progressive

공부하고 있어요

I’m studying

-고 있었어요

Past progressive

공부하고 있었어요

I was studying

-고 있을 거예요

Future progressive

공부하고 있을 거예요

I’ll be studying

  • Remove -다 and attach -고 있다 to make the base form.

  • Change -고 있다 to 있어요 / 있었어요 / 있을 거예요 depends on the tense you're going to use.

  • Use this form for actions in progress — not completed ones.



📂 Download Practice File

Review and complete more examples in your free worksheet:

📥 Download your “-고 있다”Grammar Practice Sheet



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