Learning objectives
- Lesson goals: A change is gradually happening — written-style progressive.
- Form and connection: [Verb masu-stem] つつある
- Nuance in real use: つつある is a slow-motion camera—capturing not instant change but a process unfolding over time.
Form and connection
Core Explanation
A change is gradually happening — written-style progressive.
Cultural Note
Practical examples
Common pitfalls
Build the base form before adding the pattern
Complete the required conjugation first. Do not keep polite and plain endings at the same time.
Match politeness to the situation
The examples are reliable starting points; relationships and context can still change the most natural wording.
Practice and answers
Show answer
[Verb masu-stem] つつあるShow answer
The economy is gradually recovering.Show answer
彼かれの病状びょうじょうは改善かいぜんされつつある。 ([Verb masu-stem] つつある)Continue learning
Ni Shite Mo: Even If, No Matter
"Even granting A, B is still problematic" — more formal than ても. This lesson combines form, context, examples, common mistakes, and practice so you can use the pattern in real communication.
Ippou Da: Continues To
A state or change continues in one direction — often worsening. This lesson combines form, context, examples, common mistakes, and practice so you can use the pattern in real communication.
Complete Guide to Plain Forms: Linking Ideas, Quotations, and Judgments
Learn the plain forms of nouns, adjectives, and verbs and use them to modify nouns, quote speech, express time and reasons, state plans, make judgments, and build indirect questions.