We use the present continuous for actions happening now or around now: am/is/are + verb-ing (She is reading). Words like now, at the moment and "Look!" are clues. Some verbs, such as know, like and have (for "own"), are not used in the continuous. The answer key is at the end.
Learn the rules first: The Present Continuous Tense: Rules, Uses, and Common Mistakes · Present, Past and Future Continuous Tense: Rules and Examples
Practise online, with instant answers: Present Continuous practice test (Basic) · Present Continuous practice test (Intermediate)
Present Continuous Tense Worksheet with Answers
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A. Fill in the blanks
Write the present continuous form of the verb in brackets. The answer may have more than one word. Where a sentence has two blanks, write both words.
- Listen! Meena __________ (sing) in the next room.
- The farmers __________ (work) in the field now.
- I __________ (write) a letter to my uncle.
- Why __________ the dog __________ (bark) at the gate?
- The sun __________ (shine) brightly today.
- My parents __________ (not / watch) the news at the moment.
- Arjun __________ (run) to the bus stop.
- Priya __________ (make) tea in the kitchen right now.
B. Spelling of -ing forms
Write the -ing form of each verb.
- run
- make
- swim
- lie
- write
- stop
- plan
C. Circle the correct form
Circle the correct verb form.
- Look! It (rains / is raining) outside.
- Meena (goes / is going) to school every day.
- I (know / am knowing) your brother.
- Be quiet! The teacher (is speaking / speaks).
- She (is having / has) a red bicycle.
- We (are having / have) lunch now.
- Water (is boiling / boils) at 100 degrees Celsius.
- Listen! Someone (knocks / is knocking) at the door.
D. Negatives and questions
Rewrite each sentence as asked.
- Ravi is reading a book. (Make it negative.)
- They are playing in the park. (Make it a question.)
- I am cooking dinner. (Make it negative.)
- The children are sleeping. (Make it a question.)
Answer Key
A. Fill in the blanks
- is singing
- are working
- am writing
- is; barking
- is shining
- are not (aren't) watching
- is running
- is making
B. Spelling of -ing forms
- running
- making
- swimming
- lying
- writing
- stopping
- planning
C. Circle the correct form
- is raining
- goes (every day shows a habit)
- know (know is not used in the continuous)
- is speaking
- has (have for "own" is not used in the continuous)
- are having
- boils (a scientific fact)
- is knocking
D. Negatives and questions
- Ravi is not (isn't) reading a book.
- Are they playing in the park?
- I am not cooking dinner.
- Are the children sleeping?