(also the progressive tense) noun [C] (grammar语法) the form of a verb such as ‘I am waiting’, ‘I was waiting’ or ‘I have been waiting’ which is made from a part of ‘be’ and a verb ending in ‘-ing’ and is used to describe an action that continues for a period of time 进行时；进行式 For more information about the continuous tense, look at the Quick Grammar Reference section at the back of this dictionary. 有关进行时的详细用法，参看本词典末“语法便览”部份。