Time and sequence

～つつある

be in the process of; be gradually ...ing

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How to form it

  • Verb (ます-stem) + つつある

Register: Formal; news and reports

Explanation

Describes a change that is currently under way and moving in a certain direction.

The verb describes a change (increase, spread, recovery). It sounds more written than ている.

Examples

  1. 地球の気温は、上がりつつある。

    ちきゅうのきおんは、あがりつつある。

    The temperature of the earth is gradually rising.

  2. 町は大きく変わりつつある。

    まちはおおきくかわりつつある。

    The town is changing a great deal.

  3. 経済は回復しつつあるようだ。

    けいざいはかいふくしつつあるようだ。

    The economy seems to be recovering.

Compare with

  • ～つつ(も): つつ is simultaneity or concession; つつある is an ongoing change.

Common mistakes

  • Using it with verbs that are not changes, such as ×食べつつある.