Fill in the blanks with an appropriate continuous tense form.
1. I …………………….. an interesting novel now.
We use the present continuous here because the time expression now gives the indication that we are talking about the present.
2. She ………………………. with her parents at the moment.
3. This time tomorrow we ………………………. Raj’s birthday.
We use the future continuous here because we are talking about an action or situation that will be in progress at a particular point of time in future.
4. The child ………………………… for his parents.
There is no time reference here; hence the present continuous is used.
5. I ……………………… ready when she came.
The past tense in the subordinate clause clearly indicates that we are talking about past time.
6. He ………………………… in the afternoon.
The present continuous can be used to talk about future events if the arrangement already exists. The future continuous is also possible here.
7. The child …………………….. soundly.
8. I ……………………… when the lights went out.
The past tense in the subordinate clause clearly indicates that we are talking about past time.
9. The boys ………………………. in the park when it started raining.
The past tense in the subordinate clause clearly indicates that we are talking about past time.
10. We …………………… to Mexico next summer.
The present continuous can be used to talk about future events if the arrangement already exists. The future continuous is also possible here.
11. The car …………………… for a service next week.
Please select 2 correct answers
12. Don’t phone them now – they ……………………. dinner.
The future continuous is often used to predict the present.
Answers
- I am reading an interesting novel now.
- She is staying with her parents at the moment.
- This time tomorrow we will be celebrating Raj’s birthday.
- The child is waiting for his parents.
- I was getting ready when she came.
- He is leaving in the afternoon.
- The child is sleeping soundly.
- I was reading when the lights went out.
- The boys were playing in the park when it started raining.
- We are going / will be going to Mexico next summer.
- The car is going in for a service next week.
- Don’t phone them now – they will be having dinner.
