〜ています／〜をしています~te imasu / ~o shite imasu

How it works

1. 

   Look at him working over several days: this sentence can introduce the job he does on an ongoing basis.

2. 

   To describe your work or studies, add 「います」 to a verb’s て-form to express an ongoing situation.

3. 

   「ています」 can also describe an action happening right now. When talking about a job, it focuses on doing that work on an ongoing basis.

4. 

   Want to say what someone’s job is? Just add 「をしています」 after the name of the profession.

5. 

   To say where someone works or studies, put 「で」 after the place, then say what they do there.

6. 

   Studying at university in the example can describe someone’s current studies; it doesn’t necessarily mean they are studying at this very moment.

7. 

   In the example about the mother, 「病院で」 tells us where she works, and 「看護師を」 tells us her profession.

Example sentences

• 私わたしwatashiはわwa大学だいがくdaigakuでde勉強べんきょうbenkyouしshiてteいます。いますimasu

  I am studying at a university.

  AI practiceTeacher
• 母ははhaha

In a conversation

• A
  お父さんおとうさんはわ何なんをしていますか。か

  A: What does your father do?

  AI practiceTeacher
• B
  会社かいしゃで働いはたらいています。います

  B: He works at a company.

Check yourself

1. Level 1 · Recognise

   Which sentence is correct?

   A父は会社に働いています。B父は会社で働いています。C父は会社で働くています。D父は会社で働きています。

2. Level 1 · Recognise

   Listen and choose the meaning

   AMy mother is working as a nurse at a hospital.BMy mother is working as a nurse at a school.CMy mother is a doctor at a hospital.DMy mother is in the hospital.

3. Level 2 · Build

   Put the words in order

   My father works at a company.

   会社で父は働いてです働くがへいます。
   Check

4. Level 3 · Use

   What goes in the blank?

   友達と公園で散歩 （丁寧な過去進行形）。

   I was taking a walk in the park with a friend.

   Show answer

More grammar in this theme

• 〜ています／〜をしていますongoing work or studies

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