Editing Grammatical aspect (section)

==== Dutch ====
In [[Dutch language|Dutch]] (a [[West Germanic languages|West Germanic language]]), two types of [[continuous aspect|continuous form]] are used. Both types are considered Standard Dutch.

The first type is very similar to the non-standard German type. It is formed by the conjugated auxiliary verb ''zijn'' ("to be"), followed by ''aan het'' and the [[gerund]] (which in Dutch matches the infinitive). For example:

* [[Present progressive]]: ''Ik ben aan het werken'' ("I am working")
* [[Past progressive]]: ''Ik was aan het werken'' ("I was working")
* [[Future progressive]]: ''Ik zal aan het werken zijn'' ("I will be working")

The second type is formed by one of the conjugated auxiliary verbs ''liggen'' ("to lie"), ''zitten'' ("to sit"), ''hangen'' ("to hang"), ''staan'' ("to stand") or ''lopen'' ("to walk"), followed by the preposition ''te'' and the infinitive. The conjugated verbs indicate the stance of the subject performing or undergoing the action.

* [[Present progressive]]: ''Ik zit te eten'' ("I am eating [while sitting]"), ''De was hangt te drogen'' ("The laundry is drying [while hanging]")
* [[Past progressive]]: ''Ik lag te lezen'' ("I was reading [while lying]"), ''Ik stond te kijken'' ("I was watching [while standing]")
* [[Future progressive]]: ''Ik zal zitten werken'' ("I will be working [while sitting]")

Sometimes the meaning of the auxiliary verb is diminished to 'being engaged in'. Take for instance these examples:

* ''De leraar zit steeds te zeggen dat we moeten luisteren'' ("The teacher keeps telling us to listen")
* ''Iedereen loopt te beweren dat het goed was'' ("Everyone keeps on saying that it was good")
* ''Zit niet zo te zeuren'' ("Stop whining")

In these cases, there is generally an undertone of irritation.