JLPT N2 grammar

〜つつあるmeaning and usage

Meaning

In the middle of A; in the process of A

How to form it

  • verb (masu-stem)つつある

How it is used

Follows the masu-stem and describes a change steadily under way, mostly in writing and the news. Compared with 「〜ている」, it stresses the process, and often goes with change verbs such as 「増える」 or 「変わる」.

Examples

  1. コンピューターの使用は急速に増加しつつある。

    The use of electronic computers is growing rapidly.

  2. 駅の周りは、少しずつ変わりつつある。

    The area around the station is gradually changing.

  3. 一人で旅行する若者が増えつつある。

    More and more young people are travelling on their own.