Progressive

The term progressive has several applications, and its meaning varies according to the context in which it is used.

• In grammar, it is:
  • an alternative name for that aspect of the verb which AWE prefers to call the continuous. An explanation is at aspect.
  • Following on from that, one of the uses of the verb 'to be' is known as the be-progressive. ('be-continuous' is not commonly used as an alternative term.)
• In politics, education and other social sciences progressive has other more subject-specific meanings.