Progressive tenses in French using être en train de to express actions currently in progress.

The progressive tense in French is formed using the expression être en train de + infinitive. This construction emphasizes that an action is happening right now or is currently in progress.

être is conjugated in the desired tense (present, passé composé, imparfait, etc.)
en train de remains fixed
Follow with the infinitive of the main verb

Present Progressive (Être en train de)

The present progressive highlights an action taking place at this very moment.

French Pronoun	Conjugation	English Equivalent	French Example	English Example
Je	Je suis en train de parler	I am speaking	Je suis en train de parler.	I am speaking.
Tu	Tu es en train d’écrire	You are writing	Tu es en train d’écrire une lettre.	You are writing a letter.
Il/Elle/On	Il est en train de manger	He is eating	Elle est en train de manger.	She is eating.
Nous	Nous sommes en train d’étudier	We are studying	Nous sommes en train d’étudier.	We are studying.
Vous	Vous êtes en train de lire	You are reading	Vous êtes en train de lire un livre.	You are reading a book.
Ils/Elles	Ils sont en train de jouer	They are playing	Elles sont en train de jouer.	They are playing.

What is the correct form after 'en train de'?

Conjugated verb

Infinitive form of the verb

Past participle

Gerund

Infinitive form of the verb

After 'en train de,' the verb must be in the infinitive form (e.g., parler, écrire, manger).

Passé Composé Progressive

Use être en train de in the past tense to show that an action was in progress at a specific past moment.

Formation: J’étais / Tu étais / Il était ... + en train de + infinitive

French Pronoun	Conjugation	English Equivalent	French Example	English Example
Je	J’étais en train de parler	I was speaking	J’étais en train de parler quand tu es arrivé.	I was speaking when you arrived.
Tu	Tu étais en train d’écrire	You were writing	Tu étais en train d’écrire une lettre hier soir.	You were writing a letter last night.
Il/Elle/On	Elle était en train de manger	She was eating	Elle était en train de manger quand le téléphone a sonné.	She was eating when the phone rang.
Nous	Nous étions en train d’étudier	We were studying	Nous étions en train d’étudier toute la nuit.	We were studying all night.
Vous	Vous étiez en train de lire	You were reading	Vous étiez en train de lire quand je suis passé.	You were reading when I stopped by.
Ils/Elles	Ils étaient en train de jouer	They were playing	Ils étaient en train de jouer dehors.	They were playing outside.

Imperfect Progressive

The imperfect progressive describes ongoing or habitual past actions with an emphasis on the process.

Formation: Imparfait of être + en train de + infinitive

French Pronoun	Conjugation	English Equivalent	French Example	English Example
Je	J’étais en train de parler	I was speaking	J’étais en train de parler quand il est parti.	I was speaking when he left.
Tu	Tu étais en train d’écrire	You were writing	Tu étais en train d’écrire quand je suis entré.	You were writing when I came in.
Il/Elle/On	Il était en train de manger	He was eating	Il était en train de manger au restaurant.	He was eating at the restaurant.
Nous	Nous étions en train d’étudier	We were studying	Nous étions en train d’étudier pour l’examen.	We were studying for the exam.
Vous	Vous étiez en train de lire	You were reading	Vous étiez en train de lire un journal.	You were reading a newspaper.
Ils/Elles	Elles étaient en train de jouer	They were playing	Elles étaient en train de jouer dans le jardin.	They were playing in the garden.

Future Progressive (Être en train de)

Use the future tense of être + en train de + infinitive to show actions that will be in progress at a specific future time.

French Pronoun	Conjugation	English Equivalent	French Example	English Example
Je	Je serai en train de parler	I will be speaking	Je serai en train de parler à 10h.	I will be speaking at 10 a.m.
Tu	Tu seras en train d’écrire	You will be writing	Tu seras en train d’écrire quand j’arriverai.	You will be writing when I arrive.
Il/Elle/On	Il sera en train de manger	He will be eating	Il sera en train de manger à midi.	He will be eating at noon.
Nous	Nous serons en train d’étudier	We will be studying	Nous serons en train d’étudier ce soir.	We will be studying tonight.
Vous	Vous serez en train de lire	You will be reading	Vous serez en train de lire à ce moment-là.	You will be reading at that time.
Ils/Elles	Elles seront en train de jouer	They will be playing	Elles seront en train de jouer demain.	They will be playing tomorrow.

Common Mistakes

Omitting être en train de: Just using “Je parle” vs. “Je suis en train de parler” (the latter is more explicit about the action being in progress).
Using wrong tense for être: Conjugate être, not the main verb.
Forgetting to use the infinitive: After “en train de,” always use the infinitive form.

Usage Tips

Être en train de is more formal and explicit than just using the present tense.
It never contracts other subjects (except the usual d’ before vowels in en train d’).
Can be used in questions and negations:

Es-tu en train de travailler ?* (Are you working?)
Je ne suis pas en train de manger.* (I’m not eating.)

When is it most appropriate to use être en train de in French?

For habitual actions without emphasis.

To explicitly emphasize that an action is happening right now or is currently in progress.

For completed past actions only.

In formal French only, never in conversation.

To explicitly emphasize that an action is happening right now or is currently in progress.

'Être en train de' highlights the ongoing nature of an action, making the timing explicit.

Flashcards (1 of 24)

Conjugation: Je suis en train de parler

English Equivalent: I am speaking
English Example: I am speaking.

Next Up: Infinitives

Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025

French

Progressive Tenses (être en train de)