「〜つつある」- Gradually Progressing

Explanation

「〜つつある」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to indicate that a state or action is gradually changing. It emphasizes a progressive process and is often used to describe ongoing changes or trends.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb ます-stem + つつある	Verb ます-stem (remove 「ます」) + つつある	Indicates that a state or action is gradually changing.

Basic Usage

Connection

• Verb ます-stem (remove 「ます」) + つつある

Meaning

• Indicates that a state or action is gradually changing.

Examples

• 状況じょうきょうは 改善かいぜんしつつある。
• Joukyou wa kaizen shitsutsu aru.
• The situation is gradually improving.
  

• 地球ちきゅうの気温きおんは 上昇じょうしょうしつつある。
• Chikyuu no kion wa joushou shitsutsu aru.
• The Earth's temperature is gradually rising.
  

• 彼かれの健康けんこうは 回復かいふくしつつある。
• Kare no kenkou wa kaifuku shitsutsu aru.
• His health is gradually recovering.
  

• 技術ぎじゅつは 進歩しんぽしつつある。
• Gijutsu wa shinpo shitsutsu aru.
• Technology is gradually advancing.
  

Comparison and Differences

Although both 「〜つつある」 and 「〜ている」 can indicate the progression of an action, they differ in their focus.

Grammar Point	Focus	Usage Context
〜つつある	Emphasizes the gradual process of change	Used to describe ongoing changes or trends
〜ている	Emphasizes the ongoing state of an action	Used to describe actions currently in progress

Examples:

• 彼かれは 勉強べんきょうしている。
• Kare wa benkyou shite iru.
• He is studying.
  

• 彼かれの成績せいせきは 向上こうじょうしつつある。
• Kare no seiseki wa koujou shitsutsu aru.
• His grades are gradually improving.
  

Deep Dive

「〜つつある」 is primarily used to emphasize the gradual change of a state or action. It is often used to describe ongoing changes or trends, especially those that occur over a longer period of time.

Summary

「〜つつある」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to indicate that a state or action is gradually changing. Mastering this structure allows for more accurate expression when describing changes or trends.