Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 4: 8/18

つつある-ing, Be -ing

Structure

Verb［ます］+ つつある

Details

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    Formal

About つつある

When the particle つつ 'while doing' is combined with ある 'to be', it indicates that someone or something is in the ongoing process of (A). (A) will be a verb in its ます-stem form. This formal grammar structure primarily highlights that (A) is slowly but surely continuing or changing. This 'change' is often in regard to an increase, decrease, expansion, contraction, or something similar.

This pattern can be translated simply as 'to be (A)ing'.

Caution

Compared to ている, つつある tends not to be used in relation to noticably physical motions, but rather highlights actions that indicate an ongoing state of change (such as the blooming of a flower), rather than simply 'continuing'. This is especially true for verbs that have an obvious end or completion point.

  • 彼(かれ)はりんごを食(た)べている。
    He is eating an apple. (Natural Japanese)
  • 彼(かれ)はりんごを食(た)べつつある。
    He is eating an apple. (Unnatural Japanese)

Examples

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    おかげさまで、病気(びょうき)は治(なお)りつつあります。

    Fortunately, my disease is healing.

    契約(けいやく)しつつあったのに決裂(けつれつ)した。惜(お)しいことをした。

    Despite having been contracted, the discussions broke down. I did something regrettable.

    大(だい)流行(りゅうこう)したインフルエンザの猛威(もうい)も、今(いま)は落(お)ち着(つ)きつつある。

    The fury of the widespread influenza is now calming down.

    アフリカの野生(やせい)動物(どうぶつ)の数(かず)が減(へ)りつつあるのは残念(ざんねん)だ。

    It is a pity that the number of wild animals in Africa is decreasing.

    在庫(ざいこ)過剰(かじょう)になりつつあるから、値下(ねさ)げしてでも売(う)ってください。

    Since inventory continues to overflow, please sell them even if you have to lower the price.

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      つつある – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

      • Myria

        Myria

        I hope this is the right place to add these questions.
        Regarding the sentence
        アフリカの野生やせい動物どうぶつの数かずがへりつつあるのは残念ざんねんだ。

        I answered へっている and was marked wrong. I feel like a hint is warranted here. I usually review with translations/hints off so I went with the first thing that came to my mind. Usually bunpro’s hint/shake system allows me to get to the answer it wants, but somehow it didn’t for this review.

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