Lesson 18 · V-고 있어요: Actions in Progress
Hyeju’s Beginner Korean Grammar Class · Lesson 18
V-고 있어요: Actions in Progress
Describe actions in progress with -고 있어요, compare ordinary present forms, and avoid common stem and state mistakes.
Introduction & Review
책을 읽어요 can mean “I read a book” or, in a suitable context, “I am reading a book.” To focus clearly on an action in progress, say 책을 읽고 있어요. Lesson 17 practiced stem + 고; today, -고 connects the action to the auxiliary 있다. V means an action verb.
Today’s Grammar
Remove 다 from the dictionary verb and add 고 있어요: 읽다 → 읽고 있어요; 먹다 → 먹고 있어요; 공부하다 → 공부하고 있어요. Use the same form after consonants and vowels. The polite ending is on 있다 → 있어요. Write a space between the main verb phrase and the auxiliary: 읽고 있어요.
Form It from the Dictionary Verb
| Verb | Stem + 고 | Ongoing action |
|---|---|---|
| 듣다 | 듣고 | 듣고 있어요 |
| 쓰다 | 쓰고 | 쓰고 있어요 |
| 기다리다 | 기다리고 | 기다리고 있어요 |
| 요리하다 | 요리하고 | 요리하고 있어요 |
들어요 is the polite form of 듣다, but this pattern uses 듣고 있어요, because 고 starts with a consonant. Similarly, use 쓰고 있어요, not 써고 있어요. You do not put -아/어요 before -고 있다.
Actions in Progress
지금 is helpful but optional. In the right context, this pattern can also describe an ongoing activity over a broader period, such as studying Korean these days. The photos example describes the activity of taking photos; it need not mean that a shutter remains open continuously.
Ordinary Present or Ongoing?
| Sentence | Natural focus |
|---|---|
| 한국어를 공부해요. | A general activity, habit, or current action if the context makes it clear. |
| 지금 한국어를 공부하고 있어요. | The studying is in progress now. |
| 도서관에 있어요. | Location: I am at the library. 있어요 is not an ongoing action here. |
Hyeju’s Note · States Need Care
Use this pattern with action verbs in today’s main practice. 예뻐요 (is pretty) and 추워요 (is cold) describe states; do not mechanically change them to 예쁘고 있어요 or 춥고 있어요. Resulting states often use -아/어 있다, which appears later in the curriculum. Some -고 있다 expressions also describe a continuing result, especially wearing or holding: 안경을 쓰고 있어요 can mean “I am wearing glasses.” That is a recognition note, not the core exercise today.
Mini Dialogue
A: 지금 뭐 하고 있어요?
jigeum mwo hago isseoyo · What are you doing now?
B: 책을 읽고 있어요.
chaegeul ilgo isseoyo · I am reading a book.
A: 친구도 책을 읽고 있어요?
chingudo chaegeul ilgo isseoyo · Is your friend reading too?
B: 아니요, 친구는 음악을 듣고 있어요.
aniyo, chinguneun eumageul deutgo isseoyo · No, my friend is listening to music.
Compare with similar grammar
LESSON 5
-아/어요
저는 매일 운동해요.The simple present can mean “now”, a habit or a general fact. -고 있어요 stresses that the action is going on right now.
Review Lesson 5 →LESSON 71
-아/어 있어요
문이 열려 있어요.-고 있어요 = an action in progress. -아/어 있어요 = the state left after an action (the door is open).
Look ahead: Lesson 71 →LESSON 56
-는 동안
기다리는 동안 책을 읽었어요.For “while A was going on, I did B”, use -는 동안.
Look ahead: Lesson 56 →| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -아/어요 | now, habit, general fact | 매일 운동해요 |
| -고 있어요 | in progress right now | 지금 운동하고 있어요 |
| -아/어 있어요 | a state after an action | 의자에 앉아 있어요 |
| -고 있었어요 | was in progress (past) | 그때 자고 있었어요 |
Common mistakes
읽어요고 있어요 → 읽고 있어요; 들어고 있어요 → 듣고 있어요; 공부해고 있어요 → 공부하고 있어요.
Keep 고 attached to the stem and 있어요 separate: 기다리고 있어요. Do not confuse being at a place (집에 있어요) with doing something there (집에서 요리하고 있어요).
고 attaches directly to the stem: 먹고 있어요.
Being seated is a state, so use -아/어 있어요. 앉고 있어요 means “in the middle of sitting down”.
Rain falling is an ongoing action, so use -고 있어요.
For people you respect, use -고 계세요 (and 께서).
Mini practice · six questions
All sentences below are new. Try each one before opening the answer.
- Fill in the blankA: 지금 뭐 해요? B: 엄마를 ______. (기다리다)
Check answer
엄마를 기다리고 있어요.
Waiting is going on right now → 기다리고 있어요.
- Fill in the blank아이들이 공원에서 ______. (놀다)
Check answer
아이들이 공원에서 놀고 있어요.
놀 + 고 있어요. The ㄹ stays before 고.
- Choose the better form창문이 (열고 있어요 / 열려 있어요). 좀 추워요.
Check answer
열려 있어요
The window is open — a state — so -아/어 있어요.
- Choose the better form할아버지께서 신문을 (읽고 있어요 / 읽고 계세요).
Check answer
읽고 계세요
할아버지 is someone you respect, so use 계세요.
- Find and fix the mistake동생은 지금 방에서 숙제해 있어요.
Check answer
동생은 지금 방에서 숙제하고 있어요.
Doing homework is an action in progress → -고 있어요.
- Say it in KoreanWhat is your younger sibling doing now?
Check answer
동생은 지금 뭐 하고 있어요?
하다 + 고 있어요 → 하고 있어요.
Today’s Key Point
V stem + 고 있어요 focuses on an ongoing action.
Build from 듣다 → 듣고 있어요, not from 들어요.
Use 에 for simple location and 에서 for the activity place.
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