être en train de
Progressive Aspect with Etre En Train De
The expression être en train de + infinitive is the French progressive aspect. It highlights that an action is currently unfolding at the moment of speaking.
How It Works
In French, the simple present tense (je mange) can mean both 'I eat' and 'I am eating.' However, when you want to insist that you are currently busy or in the middle of an activity, you use this construction.
1. Formation:
The structure is: [conjugated form of être] + en train de + [infinitive verb].
- Je suis en train de lire. (I am [in the middle of] reading.)
- Nous sommes en train de cuisiner. (We are [in the process of] cooking.)
2. Phonological Changes:
The word de becomes d’ before a vowel or a mute 'h' (elision).
- Il est en train d’écouter. (He is listening.)
3. Pronoun Placement:
If you use an object pronoun (like le, la, les, lui), it must be placed immediately before the infinitive, not before the verb être.
- Je suis en train de le faire. (I am in the middle of doing it.)
4. Usage Nuance:
Avoid using this for habitual actions or states. You wouldn't say 'I am living in Paris' with this pattern unless you are literally moving your boxes into the apartment at this exact second. For general ongoing situations, use the simple present.
Examples (4)
- Ne me dérange pas, je suis en train de travailler !
Don't disturb me, I'm in the middle of working!
Word by Word: Not me disturb not, I am in train of to work!
Here, the speaker uses the pattern to explain why they shouldn't be interrupted.
- Qu'est-ce que tu fais ? — Je suis en train d'écrire une lettre.
What are you doing? — I am [in the process of] writing a letter.
Word by Word: What is it that you do? — I am in train of to write a letter.
Note the elision of 'de' to 'd'' before the vowel in 'écrire'.
- Ils sont en train de nous regarder.
They are in the middle of watching us.
Word by Word: They are in train of us to watch.
The object pronoun 'nous' is placed correctly between 'de' and the infinitive 'regarder'.
- J'étais en train de dormir quand le téléphone a sonné.
I was in the middle of sleeping when the phone rang.
Word by Word: I was in train of to sleep when the telephone has rung.
This pattern can also be used in the past tense (imparfait) to show an action was ongoing when something else happened.
Common Mistakes
Using the pattern for habitual actions or general states.
Je suis en train d'habiter à Lyon cette année.J'habite à Lyon cette année.In French, 'living' is a state, not a specific action you are 'in the middle of' doing right now. Use the simple present instead.
Placing object pronouns before the auxiliary verb 'être'.
Je la suis en train de regarder.Je suis en train de la regarder.Object pronouns must always be placed directly before the infinitive verb they relate to.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'etre en train de', you must be able to conjugate the auxiliary verb 'etre' and understand how to follow a prepositional phrase with an infinitive verb to describe an ongoing action.
- être (présent)Irregular Verb Etre (To Be)
The pattern 'etre en train de' requires the verb 'etre' to be conjugated in the present tense to match the subject.
Level 1 - de (provenance / appartenance)Origin, Possession with De
The pattern uses the preposition 'de' to link the expression to the following infinitive verb.
Level 1 - Verbs linked directly to an infinitive
Understanding how to use an infinitive verb after a verbal expression is necessary to complete the 'etre en train de' structure.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- venir de + InfinitiveRecent Past with Venir De
While 'être en train de' describes what is happening now, 'venir de' describes what just happened.
Level 1 - Dropping a vowel before another vowel
The 'de' in the phrase changes to 'd'' before verbs starting with a vowel.
Level 1 - Object pronouns before an infinitive
This explains the rules for where to put pronouns like 'le' or 'nous' when using an infinitive.
Level 2 - Regular -er verb conjugation
The simple present is the default way to express 'ing' actions in French when emphasis isn't needed.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice être en train de in Bubblegum
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