HSK 2Verbs
Progressive with 在/正在
在 or 正在 before a verb indicates an action in progress.
Pattern
Subject + 在/正在 + Verb + (呢)
Explanation
在 or 正在 before a verb indicates the action is in progress. 正在 is more emphatic. 呢 at the end adds a softer tone.
Negate with 没(有)在: "他没在睡觉". Do not use 不 with progressive.
Examples
他正在看书呢。
Tā zhèngzài kàn shū ne.
He is reading right now.
我在吃饭，等一下。
Wǒ zài chī fàn, děng yíxià.
I'm eating, wait a moment.
她在打电话。
Tā zài dǎ diànhuà.
She is making a phone call.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
他不在看书。
Correct
他没在看书。
Use 没在, not 不在, to negate progressive.
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