The present continuous tense is used to talk about actions and events that are going on around the time of talking. The present continuous tense forms are made by putting is / am / are before the –ing form of the verb.
Test your knowledge present continuous tense forms with this grammar exercise. Each sentence given below has a blank space. Fill in the blanks with appropriate present continuous form of the verb given in the brackets.
1Hurry up! We ............... for you.
Wrong!
Use "are waiting" for an action happening now.
2"What are you doing?" "I ............... letters."
Wrong!
Use "am writing" for the action happening at the moment of speaking.
3He ............... in Italy at the moment.
Wrong!
Use "is working" for a temporary situation happening around now.
4She doesn't like to be disturbed when she ...............
Wrong!
Use "is working" for an action in progress at that time.
5That child ............... bigger every day.
Wrong!
Use "is getting" for a gradual change happening over time.
6Who is that girl? She ............... on the table.
Wrong!
Use "is standing" to describe what the girl is doing now.
7I ............... for the shops to open.
Wrong!
Use "am waiting" for an action in progress now.
8I ............... Jane tomorrow.
Wrong!
Use "am seeing" for a fixed future arrangement.
9The universe ..............., and has been doing so since its beginning.
Wrong!
Use "is expanding" for an ongoing process of change.
10My sister ............... at home for the moment.
Wrong!
Use "is living" for a temporary situation at the moment.
Answers
- Hurry up! We are waiting for you.
- “What are you doing?” “I am writing letters.”
- He is working in Italy at the moment.
- She doesn’t like to be disturbed when she is working
- That child is getting bigger every day.
- Who is that girl? She is standing on the table.
- I am waiting for the shops to open.
- I am seeing Jane tomorrow.
- The universe is expanding, and has been doing so since its beginning.
- My sister is living at home for the moment.
