JLPT N5 grammar · The TE-Form Core
~ています: meaning, usage and examples
~ています means: (1. an action in progress) (2. a resulting condition/state).
How to form it
＜Verb-て＞ + います (polite) / いる (plain)
Examples
テレビを見ています。
I'm watching TV. (Action in progress)
私は結婚しています。
I am married. (Resulting state)
弟は今、宿題をしています。
My younger brother is doing his homework now.
姉は銀行で働いています。
My older sister works at a bank.
When to use it
(1) Ongoing action: テレビを見ています = I'm watching TV. (2) Resulting state: 結婚しています = I am married (as a result of having gotten married).
Nuance
The two uses feel very different. Context and verb type clarify which meaning applies.
Compare
〜ていた = past progressive or past state. 〜ていたことがある = used to be/have been in a state.
Tip: State-result verbs (結婚する, 知る, 死ぬ) tend to use 〜ている for the resulting state, not ongoing action.
More on this in The Japanese te-form.
More in The TE-Form Core
- Verb Group [dictionary-form] Version: Verb groups by dictionary form: Group 1 (-u verbs, including some -iru/-eru verbs such as 帰る and 走る), Group 2 (-iru/-eru verbs such as 食べる and 見る), Group 3 (irregular: する and 来る)
- Verb Group [masu-form] Version: Masu form: Group 1 verbs change the final -u to -i + ます (飲む → 飲みます); Group 2 verbs drop る + ます (食べる → 食べます, 見る → 見ます); する → します, 来る → 来ます
- Plain style [Verb]: (Conjugation for verbs, plain form)
- Polite style [Verb]: (Conjugation for verbs, polite form)
- Verb て形 (Te form): Verb te-form (used for requests, joining actions, etc.)
- ~て: (used to join two or more sentences/actions together)
- ~てください / 〜ないでください: please do... / please don't do...
- ~てはいけません: must not... (strong prohibition)
- ~てもいいですか: may I [Verb]? (asking for permission)
Frequently asked questions
What does ~ています mean?
(1. an action in progress) (2. a resulting condition/state). Example: テレビを見ています。 (I'm watching TV. (Action in progress))
How do you form ~ています?
＜Verb-て＞ + います (polite) / いる (plain). State-result verbs (結婚する, 知る, 死ぬ) tend to use 〜ている for the resulting state, not ongoing action.