be in the process of

つつある attaches to a verb's masu-stem to show that a change is steadily in progress toward completion. It is more formal and gradual than ている, emphasizing an ongoing trend. It suits descriptions of slow, continuous change.

Examples

• 景気けいきは回復かいふくしつつある。

  Keiki wa kaifuku shitsutsu aru.

  The economy is in the process of recovering.

• 古ふるい習慣しゅうかんは消きえつつある。

  Furui shuukan wa kietsutsu aru.

  Old customs are gradually disappearing.

Vocabulary in these examples

• 景気 economic conditions
• 回復 recovery
• する to do
• ある to exist (inanimate); to have
• 古い old (things)
• 習慣 custom, habit

Related patterns · Aspect and degree

• 〜一方だ keep getting more and more
• 〜きる do completely; finish entirely
• 〜ぬく do all the way through (despite hardship)
• 〜気味 a touch of; -ish; tending toward
• 〜だらけ full of; covered in
• 〜っぽい -ish; tends to; looks like