つつ / つつある — Simultaneous Action and Ongoing Change

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use つつ to describe two actions happening at the same time, and つつある to describe a gradual change that is currently in progress. These are intermediate (N2-level) patterns that add nuance and precision to your Japanese.

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Both つつ and つつある are formal, written-style patterns. They are not used much in casual conversation, but are common in news, essays, and literature.

• Verb (ます-stem) + つつ = "while doing A, (also) doing B" (two simultaneous actions)
• Verb (ます-stem) + つつある = "is gradually changing / is in the process of changing" (ongoing change)

The key difference:

• つつ focuses on two actions happening at the same time.
• つつある focuses on a single change that is currently unfolding.

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1. つつ (Simultaneous Action)

Form:
Take the ます-stem of a verb (remove ます) and add つつ.

Meaning:
"while (doing A), (doing B)" — similar to ながら (nagara), but more formal and often used for mental or abstract actions.

Examples:

• 歩きつつ、電話をした。
  Aruki-tsutsu, denwa o shita.
  "While walking, I made a phone call."歩電話

  歩電話

• 考えつつ、答えを書いた。
  Kangae-tsutsu, kotae o kaita.
  "While thinking, I wrote the answer."考答書

  考答書

• 本を読みつつ、音楽を聞くのが好きだ。
  Hon o yomi-tsutsu, ongaku o kiku no ga suki da.
  "I like listening to music while reading a book."本読音楽聞好

  本読音楽聞好

Note:
Unlike ながら, つつ can connect two actions that are not physically simultaneous — e.g., one action is mental and the other is physical.

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2. つつある (Ongoing Change)

Form:
Take the ます-stem of a verb and add つつある.

Meaning:
"is in the process of (verb-ing)" — describes a change that started in the past and is still continuing now. Often used with verbs of change (e.g., 変わる kawaru "to change", 増える fueru "to increase", 進む susumu "to progress").変増進

Examples:

• 日本語の勉強が進みつつある。
  Nihongo no benkyou ga susumi-tsutsu aru.
  "My Japanese studies are progressing."日本語勉強進

  日本語勉強進

• この町は変わりつつある。
  Kono machi wa kawari-tsutsu aru.
  "This town is changing."町変

  町変

• 環境問題への関心が高まりつつある。
  Kankyou mondai e no kanshin ga takamari-tsutsu aru.
  "Interest in environmental issues is increasing."環境問題関心

  環境問題関心

Note:
つつある is not used for simple ongoing actions like "I am eating" (that's ている). It is only for gradual changes or developments.

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❌ Using つつある for simple actions
Wrong: 今、ご飯を食べつつある。 (Ima, gohan o tabe-tsutsu aru.)
Correct: 今、ご飯を食べている。 (Ima, gohan o tabete iru.)
→ つつある is for gradual change, not for "right now" actions.今飯食

❌ Using つつ for two unrelated actions
Wrong: 寝つつ、走った。 (Ne-tsutsu, hashitta.) — "While sleeping, I ran." (impossible)
Correct: 考えつつ、歩いた。 (Kangae-tsutsu, aruita.) — "While thinking, I walked." (possible)寝走考歩

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Fill in the blanks with the correct form (つつ or つつある).

1. 彼は本を読み＿＿＿＿、コーヒーを飲んだ。
   Kare wa hon o yomi______, koohii o nonda.
   → Answer: つつ彼本読飲

   彼本読飲

2. この問題は解決し＿＿＿＿。
   Kono mondai wa kaiketsu shi______.
   → Answer: つつある問題解決

   問題解決

3. 音楽を聞き＿＿＿＿、散歩した。
   Ongaku o kiki______, sanpo shita.
   → Answer: つつ音楽聞散歩

   音楽聞散歩

4. 彼女の日本語は上達し＿＿＿＿。
   Kanojo no nihongo wa joutatsu shi______.
   → Answer: つつある彼女日本語上

   彼女日本語上

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• つつ = "while doing A, doing B" (two simultaneous actions, formal)
• つつある = "is gradually changing / is in the process of changing" (ongoing change)

Next step:
Try writing 2 original sentences using each pattern. For example:

• Describe something you do while doing something else (つつ).
• Describe a change you see happening around you (つつある).

Then, practice reading news articles or essays — you will see these patterns frequently in formal Japanese.