〜つつある
JLPT N3:is in the process of
Says a change is under way, moving steadily in one direction: "is (gradually) …ing".
How to form it
- Start from the ます form and replace ます with つつある: 減ります becomes 減りつつある.
- It goes with verbs of change, like 増える (increase), 減る (decrease), 変わる (change) and 回復する (recover).
Examples
景気は回復しつつある。
The economy is recovering.
日本の人口は減りつつある。
Japan's population is shrinking.
Notes
- It is formal and common in the news. In conversation, 〜てきている is often used: 回復してきている.
Common mistakes
- Using it for an action that is not a change, such as eating or reading.
Similar meaning
- 〜ているis doing / is in a state
"Is doing", for any ongoing action.
- 〜ばかりだjust keeps getting…
"Keeps getting (worse)": a trend in one direction only.
Same form, different meaning
- 〜つつwhile / although (literary)
つつ: "while" or "although".