Grammar › N2 · 07 Verb-form patterns

〜つつある: be in the process of; is gradually

N2 · 07 Verb-form patterns

Describes a change that is happening now and moving in one direction.

Verb ます-stem + つつある. Used for ongoing changes: 変わりつつある, 増えつつある. Written or formal. Compare 〜ている, which is more general; つつある stresses gradual change in progress.

Examples

町まちの様子ようすは、少すこしずつ変かわりつつある。

The look of the town is gradually changing.

景気けいきは回復かいふくしつつあるようだ。

The economy seems to be recovering.

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