The progressive tense in French is used to emphasize that an action is currently ongoing. The most common way to express this is with the construction être en train de + [infinitive]. This literally means "to be in the process of [doing something]."
- The subject is conjugated with être in the present (or another tense).
- Followed by en train de (this part never changes).
- Finish with the infinitive of the main verb.
- The construction can be used in multiple tenses by changing the form of être (e.g., passé composé: j’ai été en train de..., futur: je serai en train de...).
- It adds a sense of immediacy and focus on the action’s progress, which the simple present doesn’t always convey.
- Other forms like the -ant (gerund) are more formal and less commonly used in spoken French.
Using être en train de allows you to clearly state that something is happening right now, especially if context might otherwise be ambiguous.
Conjugation Example
| Pronoun | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Je | Je suis en train d’étudier. | I am studying (right now). |
| Tu | Tu es en train de manger. | You are eating (right now). |
| Il/Elle | Elle est en train de lire. | She is reading (right now). |
| Nous | Nous sommes en train d’écrire. | We are writing (right now). |
| Vous | Vous êtes en train de parler. | You are speaking (right now). |
| Ils/Elles | Ils sont en train de jouer. | They are playing (right now). |
- Remember to use d’ instead of de before a vowel sound (e.g., d’étudier, d’écrire).
Time Shift Examples
You can shift the être part into different tenses to change the timing:
| Time | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Passé composé | J’ai été en train de préparer le repas. | I was in the middle of preparing the meal. |
| Imparfait | J’étais en train de dormir quand tu as appelé. | I was sleeping when you called. |
| Futur simple | Je serai en train de voyager demain. | I will be traveling tomorrow. |
- The meaning of en train de + infinitive always stays about ongoing action at that time.
When to Use
- Use être en train de to highlight exactly when something was (or will be) in progress.
- It can express nuance beyond a simple past or future by focusing on the action's immediacy.
- Always follow with the infinitive. Do not conjugate the second verb.
| Examples | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Je suis en train d’écrire une lettre. | I’m in the middle of writing a letter. |
| Il était en train de sortir quand je suis arrivé. | He was in the middle of going out when I arrived. |
| Nous serons en train de dîner à 20 heures. | We will be in the middle of dining at 8 p.m. |
Progressive Aspect vs. Simple Present
- The simple present (je mange) can mean “I eat,” “I am eating,” or even “I do eat.”
- être en train de removes ambiguity, making it clear the action is currently ongoing.
- Use en train de for emphasis or when the timing matters.
| French Example | English Comparison |
|---|---|
| Je mange. | I eat / I am eating. (general or current) |
| Je suis en train de manger. | I am eating (right now, emphasizing the moment). |
Common Verbs with être en train de
Most verbs can be used with être en train de because the main verb remains in the infinitive form.
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Je suis en train de travailler. | I’m working right now. |
| Elle est en train de sortir. | She’s going out at the moment. |
| Nous sommes en train de parler. | We’re speaking right now. |
She’s going out at the moment.
Elle est en train de sortir.
"Sortir" means "to go out." The correct phrase is "Elle est en train de sortir," keeping the infinitive after "en train de."
Practice Tips
- Look for contexts that require emphasizing the exact moment an action is happening.
- Try transforming simple present sentences into être en train de form for added nuance.
- In storytelling, use en train de to focus listeners on an action in progress.
What’s one effective way to practice using "être en train de"?
Transform simple present sentences into "être en train de" form.
Converting simple present sentences into "être en train de" helps you understand how to emphasize ongoing action.
Flashcards (1 of 14)
- Pronoun: Je
- English Example: I am studying (right now).
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
