Time and sequence

～つつある

be in the process of ~ing; gradually ~

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How to form it

  • Verb (ます-stem) + つつある

Register: Formal; written

Explanation

Says that a change is steadily going on at the present time.

It is used for changes in society, nature or conditions, usually in news-style or written language. In everyday speech ている or ていく is common.

Examples

  1. 景気は少しずつ回復しつつある。

    けいきはすこしずつかいふくしつつある。

    The economy is gradually recovering.

  2. 世界は大きく変わりつつある。

    せかいはおおきくかわりつつある。

    The world is changing in a big way.

  3. 町の人口は減りつつある。

    まちのじんこうはへりつつある。

    The town's population is decreasing.

  4. 問題は解決に向かいつつある。

    もんだいはかいけつにむかいつつある。

    The problem is moving towards a solution.

Compare with

  • ～ていく: ていく also expresses a change going forward, but is more spoken.
  • ～ながら: つつ alone can also mean 'while' in writing, like ながら.

Common mistakes

  • Using it for a simple repeated habit. It describes a change in progress.
  • Using it with verbs that cannot show gradual change, such as instantaneous actions.