150+ present continuous exercises with answers (A1 to C1)

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November 13, 2026

Grammar exercises

Index

Present continuous rules and formulas
Basic present continuous exercises (A1-A2)
Intermediate present continuous exercises (B1–B2)
Advanced present continuous exercises (B2-C1)
Tips for solving present continuous exercises and common pitfalls

Do you ever mix up temporary actions and regular habits, miss a doubled consonant, or use continuous forms with stative verbs in present continuous tense? Don’t worry. Work through these 150+ present continuous exercises with answers to check your understanding and use this tense more accurately.

📌 Key Takeaways

The present continuous uses am/is/are + verb-ing for actions in progress, temporary situations, developing changes, and confirmed future arrangements.
Use the present simple for routines and most states. Use the present continuous for activities unfolding now or around now.
Check subject–verb agreement, -ing spelling, and the meaning of the verb before choosing your answer.

Remember: A word such as now is a clue, not a rule. “I understand now” uses the present simple because understand describes a state. The level labels below indicate increasing task difficulty, not an official CEFR assessment.

Present continuous rules and formulas

The present continuous tense, also called the present progressive, is used to describe an activity happening at the moment of speaking or during a temporary period around now. It is also used to express developing changes, confirmed future events, and repeated behavior which are irritating or annoying.

Present continuous formulas

Form	Structure	Example
Affirmative (+)	S + am/is/are + V-ing (+ complement)	She is reviewing the report.
Negative (−)	S + am/is/are + not + V-ing (+ complement)	She is not reviewing the report.
Yes/no question	Am/Is/Are + S + V-ing (+ complement)?	Is she reviewing the report?
Wh-question	Wh-word + am/is/are + S + V-ing?	What is she reviewing?

Present continuous formulas by sentence form

Below are some of the common expressions associated with the present continuous tense:

Time expressions: Now, right now, at the moment, at present, currently, today, this week, etc.
Attention-getting expressions: Look!, Listen!, Be quiet!, Watch out!, and Hurry up!

Remember the spelling rules for adding -ing:

Verbs ending in a silent e: Drop the e and add -ing (make → making, write → writing).
One-syllable verbs ending in a single vowel followed by a single consonant: Double the final consonant before adding -ing (run → running, stop → stopping, sit → sitting).
Verbs ending in ie: Change ie to y, then add -ing (lie → lying, die → dying).

Note: Verbs such as know, believe, understand, want, need, own, and belong normally describe states and take the present simple. Be careful of this trap.

Basic present continuous exercises (A1-A2)

With the starting level from A1 to A2, these present continuous tense exercises will help you form complete sentences using the subject-verb agreement, negative forms, questions, and -ing spelling. Try to complete these to get the basics before you move on to choosing between tenses.

Exercise 1: Complete sentences with am, is, or are and V-ing

Instructions: Complete each sentence with the affirmative present continuous form of the verb in parentheses.

Listen! The birds ______ (sing) outside our window.
I ______ (write) an email right now.
Look! The dog ______ (run) across the yard.
We ______ (study) for our math test at the moment.
Maya ______ (make) a sandwich in the kitchen now.
You ______ (sit) in my seat.
The children ______ (play) basketball right now.
My brother ______ (swim) in the pool now.
The bus ______ (stop) in front of our building now.
My parents ______ (watch) a movie at the moment.

Answers

Answer
1. are singing
2. am writing
3. is running
4. are studying
5. is making
6. are sitting
7. are playing
8. is swimming
9. is stopping
10. are watching

Explanations

Explanation
1. Birds is plural, so use are + singing.
2. I takes am. Drop the silent e in write.
3. The singular subject takes is. Double the final n.
4. We takes are. Keep the y in study.
5. Maya takes is. Drop the silent e in make.
6. You takes are. Double the final t.
7. Children is plural. Add -ing without changing y.
8. My brother takes is. Double the final m.
9. Bus is singular. Double the final p.
10. Parents is plural, so use are watching.

Exercise 2: Form negative sentences with “isn’t” and “aren’t”

Instructions: Rewrite each sentence in the negative. Use isn’t or aren’t.

She is watching TV at the moment.
They are waiting outside.
He is wearing a jacket today.
We are using the printer right now.
The cat is sleeping on the couch.
You are listening to the instructions.
My sister is driving to work today.
The students are taking notes.
The washing machine is working.
Our neighbors are moving this week.

Answers

Answer
1. She isn’t watching TV at the moment.
2. They aren’t waiting outside.
3. He isn’t wearing a jacket today.
4. We aren’t using the printer right now.
5. The cat isn’t sleeping on the couch.
6. You aren’t listening to the instructions.
7. My sister isn’t driving to work today.
8. The students aren’t taking notes.
9. The washing machine isn’t working.
10. Our neighbors aren’t moving this week.

Explanations

Explanation
1. Put not after is, then contract is not.
2. The plural subject takes aren’t.
3. Replace is with isn’t; keep wearing.
4. Negate are with aren’t.
5. The singular subject takes isn’t.
6. You takes aren’t, even for one person.
7. Put isn’t before driving.
8. Keep plural agreement: students aren’t.
9. A singular machine takes isn’t working.
10. Use aren’t moving with the plural subject.

Exercise 3: Basic question formation

Instructions: Use the prompts to write complete present continuous questions. Add punctuation.

what / you / cook / right now
she / read / the instructions
where / they / go / now
why / he / laugh
we / wait / in the correct line
who / speak / right now
the children / sleep
what / your brother / draw
you / wear / my headphones
when / Emma / leave / tomorrow

Answers

Answer
1. What are you cooking right now?
2. Is she reading the instructions?
3. Where are they going now?
4. Why is he laughing?
5. Are we waiting in the correct line?
6. Who is speaking right now?
7. Are the children sleeping?
8. What is your brother drawing?
9. Are you wearing my headphones?
10. When is Emma leaving tomorrow?

Explanations

Explanation
1. Use what + are + you + cooking.
2. A yes/no question begins with is before she.
3. Use where + are + they + going.
4. Put is before the subject he.
5. Move are before we.
6. Who is the subject; no additional subject is needed.
7. The plural subject takes are.
8. Your brother is singular, so use is.
9. Put are before you.
10. Use when to ask about the arranged departure time.

Exercise 4: Spelling rules for adding -ing

Instructions: Write only the correct -ing form of each verb. Use American English spelling.

make
run
lie
swim
write
begin
open
fix
travel
see

Answers

Answer
1. making
2. running
3. lying
4. swimming
5. writing
6. beginning
7. opening
8. fixing
9. travelling/traveling
10. seeing

Explanations

Explanation
1. Drop the final silent e.
2. Double the final n.
3. Change -ie to -y, then add -ing.
4. Double the final m.
5. Drop the final silent e.
6. The final syllable is stressed, so double n.
7. The final syllable is unstressed; do not double n.
8. Do not double final x.
9. American English normally uses a single l. However, double l is also acceptable in British English.
10. Keep both e letters and add -ing.

Exercise 5: Sentence rearrangement for beginners

Instructions: Put all the words in the correct order. Start with a capital letter and add the appropriate punctuation.

now / coffee / drinking / in / kitchen / is / Marcus / the
are / the / playing / outside / children
not / I / working / am / today
you / are / what / reading
is / dinner / cooking / my / father
we / waiting / for / are / bus / the
is / why / crying / baby / the
wearing / not / she / is / glasses
students / taking / are / notes / the
outside / raining / it / is

Answers

Answer
1. Marcus is drinking coffee in the kitchen now.
2. The children are playing outside.
3. I am not working today.
4. What are you reading?
5. My father is cooking dinner.
6. We are waiting for the bus.
7. Why is the baby crying?
8. She is not wearing glasses.
9. The students are taking notes.
10. It is raining outside.

Explanations

Explanation
1. Use subject + is drinking, followed by place and time.
2. Put the plural subject before are playing.
3. Put not between am and working.
4. Use what + are + subject + verb-ing.
5. My father is the subject; dinner is the object.
6. Keep the phrase waiting for together.
7. Put is before the baby.
8. Not follows is.
9. The plural subject takes are.
10. Weather statements use it as the subject.

Intermediate present continuous exercises (B1–B2)

This next section focuses on meaning. These B1-B2 exercises will make you compare routines with temporary activities, distinguish states from actions, and use the present progressive tense for arrangements and complaints. Remember to read beyond a single time expression before selecting your answer.

Exercise 6: Present simple and present continuous exercises

Instructions: Complete each sentence with the present simple or present continuous form of the verb in parentheses.

David usually ______ (walk) to work, but this week he ______ (take) the subway.
My sister ______ (work) at a bank, but today she ______ (work) from home.
Please be quiet. I ______ (try) to hear the announcement.
Our store ______ (open) at nine every weekday.
We ______ (stay) with my aunt this month while our apartment is being repaired.
I ______ (not understand) this question. Can you explain it?
Why ______ (you / wear) a coat indoors right now?
Leo ______ (not drink) coffee; he dislikes its taste.
The children normally ______ (play) outside after school, but today they ______ (paint) in the kitchen.
Water ______ (freeze) at 32°F under standard atmospheric pressure.

Answers

Answer
1. walks; is taking
2. works; is working
3. am trying
4. opens
5. are staying
6. don’t understand
7. are you wearing
8. doesn’t drink
9. play; are painting
10. freezes

Explanations

Explanation
1. Usually introduces a routine; this week describes a temporary change.
2. The first verb describes her regular job; the second describes today’s arrangement.
3. The request for quiet shows an activity in progress.
4. Every weekday describes a regular schedule.
5. The repair context makes the living arrangement temporary.
6. Understand describes a state, so use the present simple.
7. Ask about a current action using are + you + wearing.
8. A general habit takes doesn’t + base verb.
9. Normally marks the routine; today introduces a contrasting activity.
10. A general scientific fact takes the present simple.

In these present simple and present continuous exercises, the most useful question is whether the speaker describes a regular pattern, a state, or an activity unfolding during a limited period. A temporary situation does not have to be happening at the exact second of speaking.

Check out our guide for the present indefinite tense: Simple present tense: Rules, uses, examples and exercises

Exercise 7: Stative vs. dynamic verbs in context

Instructions: Choose the present simple or present continuous form according to the meaning of the verb.

I ______ (think) this proposal is promising, but right now I ______ (think) about its cost.
Nina ______ (have) two bicycles, and she ______ (have) lunch right now.
This soup ______ (taste) salty. Right now, the chef ______ (taste) another batch.
These roses ______ (smell) wonderful. Look! Ava ______ (smell) one.
I ______ (see) what you mean, and I ______ (see) my advisor tomorrow at our booked appointment.
The suitcase ______ (weigh) 40 pounds. The agent ______ (weigh) it on the scale right now.
The room ______ (measure) 12 feet across. The designer ______ (measure) the windows now.
You ______ (look) tired in this photo. Why ______ (you / look) at it so closely right now?
Owen ______ (be) usually polite, but he ______ (be) rude to the waiter right now.
I ______ (believe) your explanation, but I still ______ (need) more time.

Answers

Answer
1. think; am thinking
2. has; is having
3. tastes; is tasting
4. smell; is smelling
5. see; am seeing
6. weighs; is weighing
7. measures; is measuring
8. look; are you looking
9. is; is being
10. believe; need

Explanations

Explanation
1. The first think expresses an opinion; the second describes active consideration.
2. Have describes possession first and eating second.
3. The soup has a flavor; the chef is deliberately sampling food.
4. The first verb describes a quality; the second describes an action.
5. See means understand first and meet at an arranged time second.
6. Weight is a property; measuring weight is an action.
7. The first verb states a dimension; the second describes taking measurements.
8. Look describes appearance first and deliberate viewing second.
9. Simple be describes a usual characteristic; being describes current behavior.
10. Both verbs describe states in this context.

Exercise 8: Fixed arrangements for the near future

Instructions: Complete each sentence using the present continuous. The plans have already been confirmed.

We ______ (fly) to San Francisco on Monday; our tickets are booked.
I ______ (meet) my advisor at ten tomorrow; she confirmed the time.
Sofia ______ (see) the dentist on Friday at her scheduled appointment.
They ______ (move) into their new apartment this weekend; the movers are booked.
Our manager ______ (travel) to Chicago next Tuesday; the hotel is reserved.
You ______ (have) dinner with us at seven, as we agreed.
The team ______ (present) the proposal tomorrow at the confirmed client meeting.
My parents ______ (arrive) on the evening flight; I have their itinerary.
I ______ (not attend) the workshop tomorrow. I canceled my reservation.
What time ______ (you / pick up) the rental car? Your reservation says noon.

Answers

Answer
1. are flying
2. am meeting
3. is seeing
4. are moving
5. is traveling
6. are having
7. is presenting
8. are arriving
9. am not attending
10. are you picking up

Explanations

Explanation
1. Booked tickets support a confirmed future arrangement.
2. I am meeting describes the confirmed appointment.
3. See means attend an appointment, so the continuous is appropriate.
4. A booked moving service supports an arrangement.
5. Use is with the singular subject and American spelling traveling.
6. Have dinner describes an activity arranged for a future time.
7. In American English, team normally takes singular agreement.
8. The known itinerary supports an arranged arrival.
9. Use am not + attending for the confirmed decision.
10. Invert are and you in the question.

Exercise 9: Expressing annoyance with always and constantly

Instructions: Rewrite each statement as a complaint using the present continuous and the word in parentheses. Keep the original subject and main verb.

My roommate leaves dirty dishes in the sink all the time. It annoys me. (ALWAYS)
You interrupt me repeatedly. It is frustrating. (CONSTANTLY)
The neighbors play loud music again and again. It bothers me. (ALWAYS)
He borrows my charger repeatedly without asking. I dislike that. (CONSTANTLY)
Our printer jams all the time. It drives me crazy. (ALWAYS)
The delivery driver blocks our driveway repeatedly. It annoys us. (CONSTANTLY)
My brother loses his wallet all the time. It is irritating. (ALWAYS)
They change the meeting time again and again. It is frustrating. (CONSTANTLY)
You forget to lock the door all the time. It worries me. (ALWAYS)
The app sends unnecessary alerts repeatedly. They bother me. (CONSTANTLY)

Answers

Answer
1. My roommate is always leaving dirty dishes in the sink!
2. You are constantly interrupting me!
3. The neighbors are always playing loud music!
4. He is constantly borrowing my charger without asking!
5. Our printer is always jamming!
6. The delivery driver is constantly blocking our driveway!
7. My brother is always losing his wallet!
8. They are constantly changing the meeting time!
9. You are always forgetting to lock the door!
10. The app is constantly sending unnecessary alerts!

Explanations

Explanation
1. Put always between is and leaving.
2. Use are + constantly + interrupting.
3. The plural subject takes are.
4. Put constantly before borrowing.
5. Double m in jamming.
6. The singular subject takes is.
7. Lose becomes losing.
8. The continuous presents repeated changes as a complaint.
9. Double t in forgetting because the final syllable is stressed.
10. The singular subject takes is.

Note: Always with the present continuous can also express praise or another emotional reaction: “She is always helping people.” Annoyance comes from the context, not from always alone.

Exercise 10: Error identification in contextual passages

Instructions: Each item contains one error. Write the corrected sentence. Keep the surrounding meaning.

I am knowing the project manager well because we worked together in Seattle.
Please wait. She answering a customer right now.
The children is playing in the yard at the moment.
Look! The dog is runing toward the gate.
Why you are wearing my jacket right now?
We aren’t use the conference room right now.
I am usually taking the bus to work; it is my normal routine.
This laptop is belonging to our office.
The baby is lieing on the blanket right now.
At the moment, my parents are have dinner.

Answers

Answer
1. I know the project manager well because we worked together in Seattle.
2. Please wait. She is answering a customer right now.
3. The children are playing in the yard at the moment.
4. Look! The dog is running toward the gate.
5. Why are you wearing my jacket right now?
6. We aren’t using the conference room right now.
7. I usually take the bus to work; it is my normal routine.
8. This laptop belongs to our office.
9. The baby is lying on the blanket right now.
10. At the moment, my parents are having dinner.

Explanations

Explanation
1. Know describes a state; replace am knowing with know.
2. Add the missing auxiliary is.
3. Children is plural and takes are.
4. Double n in running.
5. Put are before the subject in a direct question.
6. Use using after aren’t for the current activity.
7. The neutral statement of a routine takes the present simple.
8. Belong normally describes a state.
9. Change -ie to -y before adding -ing.
10. Use are having for the activity of eating dinner.

Advanced present continuous exercises (B2-C1)

These advanced present continuous exercises with answers combine tense choice with passive voice structures, sensory verbs, professional reporting, and paraphrasing. Some individual forms are familiar from lower levels, as the challenge is to preserve meaning and explain why a form suits the context.

Exercise 11: Trends and developing situations

Instructions: Complete the sentences with the present continuous to emphasize an ongoing change. These are practice scenarios, not factual reports.

Attendance at our weekly workshop ______ (grow) steadily this semester.
Our neighborhood ______ (become) quieter as the construction project winds down.
The days ______ (get) longer as spring approaches.
Her presentation skills ______ (improve) with each practice session.
More customers ______ (choose) the digital receipt option during this trial.
The number of support requests ______ (rise) during the current rollout.
Our team ______ (adapt) to the new software this month.
The old paint ______ (peel) off the wall little by little.
Local businesses ______ (change) their opening hours during the renovation.
My confidence ______ (increase) as I practice speaking more often.

Answers

Answer
1. is growing
2. is becoming
3. are getting
4. are improving
5. are choosing
6. is rising
7. is adapting
8. is peeling
9. are changing
10. is increasing

Explanations

Explanation
1. Singular attendance takes is; growing presents an ongoing trend.
2. Drop the final e in become.
3. Days is plural; double t in getting.
4. Plural skills takes are.
5. The sentence describes an emerging pattern during the trial.
6. The head noun number is singular.
7. American English normally treats team as singular.
8. Uncountable paint takes is.
9. Plural businesses takes are.
10. Singular confidence takes is; drop the final e in increase.

Exercise 12: Passive voice transformation in the present continuous

Instructions: Rewrite each sentence in the present continuous passive: am/is/are + being + past participle. Include the original agent with by for this exercise.

The road crew is repairing the bridge right now.
The technician is installing the new computers.
The chef is preparing our meals.
The editor is reviewing my article.
The company is building two warehouses.
The staff is checking the applications.
The volunteers are organizing the event.
The mechanic is fixing my car.
The researchers are analyzing the samples.
The manager is interviewing the candidates.

Answers

Answer
1. The bridge is being repaired by the road crew right now.
2. The new computers are being installed by the technician.
3. Our meals are being prepared by the chef.
4. My article is being reviewed by the editor.
5. Two warehouses are being built by the company.
6. The applications are being checked by the staff.
7. The event is being organized by the volunteers.
8. My car is being fixed by the mechanic.
9. The samples are being analyzed by the researchers.
10. The candidates are being interviewed by the manager.

Explanations

Explanation
1. Singular bridge takes is being repaired.
2. Plural computers takes are being installed.
3. Meals becomes the plural passive subject.
4. Singular article takes is being reviewed.
5. Use are being and the irregular participle built.
6. Agreement follows plural applications.
7. Agreement follows singular event.
8. Use is being + fixed.
9. Plural samples takes are being analyzed.
10. Plural candidates takes are being interviewed.

Note: Outside this transformation task, omit by + agent when the doer is unknown, obvious, or unimportant: “The bridge is being repaired.”

If you eliminated "being", “The bridge is repaired” does not express the same action in progress.

Exercise 13: Multiple choice on advanced sensory verbs

Instructions: Choose the best answer for the meaning and time context. Each item has one intended answer.

1. Right now, the chef ______ a spoonful of soup to check the seasoning.
A. is tasting
B. taste
C. is tasted
D. has taste

2. This sauce ______ too sweet to me.
A. is tasting
B. taste
C. tastes
D. is tasted

3. Look at the photo: Ava ______ a rose to check its fragrance.
A. smells
B. is smelling
C. smell
D. is smelled

4. The milk ______ sour, so I will throw it away.
A. smell
B. is smelled
C. is smell
D. smells

5. I ______ what you mean now.
A. am seeing
B. see
C. am seen
D. sees

6. I ______ the eye doctor tomorrow at my confirmed appointment.
A. am seeing
B. sees
C. am seen
D. seeing

7. Look! The customs officer ______ each bag on the scale.
A. weigh
B. is weighed
C. is weighing
D. weighing

8. According to the label, this package ______ exactly five pounds.
A. is weighing
B. weigh
C. is weighed
D. weighs

9. Why ______ at the ceiling right now?
A. you look
B. are you looking
C. you are looking
D. do looking you

10. That explanation ______ reasonable to me.
A. sounds
B. is sounding
C. sound
D. is sounded

Answers

Answer
1. A. is tasting
2. C. tastes
3. B. is smelling
4. D. smells
5. B. see
6. A. am seeing
7. C. is weighing
8. D. weighs
9. B. are you looking
10. A. sounds

Explanations

Explanation
1. The chef is deliberately sampling food at this moment.
2. Taste describes the sauce’s flavor; singular sauce takes tastes.
3. The photo shows a deliberate smelling action in progress.
4. Smell describes a property of the milk.
5. See means understand, which describes a state here.
6. See means attend an arranged appointment.
7. Weigh describes actively measuring the bags.
8. Weigh states a property; singular package takes weighs.
9. The question describes a current action and needs inversion.
10. Sound describes an impression in a neutral statement.

Exercise 14: Present continuous in business and professional reporting

Instructions: Complete this short project update with the present simple or present continuous. Read the ten sentences as one report.

Our company ______ (provide) payroll software to small businesses as its core service.
This quarter, the product team ______ (test) a new mobile dashboard.
At the moment, our analysts ______ (review) feedback from pilot customers.
The standard subscription ______ (include) email support.
For this pilot, we ______ (not charge) participating customers.
Our lead designer ______ (work) with the accessibility consultant this week.
The support department normally ______ (respond) within one business day.
Currently, request volumes ______ (rise) as more users join the trial.
We ______ (believe) the revised layout meets the pilot’s needs.
The leadership team ______ (meet) the pilot customers next Friday at the confirmed review session.

Answers

Answer
1. provides
2. is testing
3. are reviewing
4. includes
5. are not charging
6. is working
7. responds
8. are rising
9. believe
10. is meeting

Explanations

Explanation
1. The company’s established service takes the present simple.
2. The current trial is a temporary project; team takes singular agreement here.
3. The plural subject describes a review in progress.
4. An established product feature takes the present simple.
5. The policy applies to the temporary pilot.
6. This week’s collaboration is a temporary activity.
7. Normally describes the department’s regular practice.
8. The sentence describes a developing trend.
9. Believe expresses an opinion and normally uses the simple form.
10. The confirmed future meeting takes the present continuous.

Exercise 15: Sentence synthesis and paraphrasing

Instructions: Rewrite each sentence using the word in parentheses without changing that word. Preserve the original meaning and use the present continuous where appropriate.

They have arranged to sign the partnership contract this Friday. (SIGNING)
The engineers are in the process of testing the prototype. (BEING)
My stay with my cousin is temporary while my apartment is repaired. (STAYING)
The repeated interruptions from my colleague are annoying me. (ALWAYS)
Our customer base shows ongoing growth this quarter. (GROWING)
I have an appointment with the dentist tomorrow at nine. (SEEING)
Right now, the technician is actively checking the device’s weight. (WEIGHING)
The reviewers are examining our applications at the moment. (BEING)
Lena normally works in Boston; her work in Denver lasts only this month. (WORKING)
We have agreed to host the client demonstration on Tuesday. (HOSTING)

Answers

Answer
1. They are signing the partnership contract this Friday.
2. The prototype is being tested by the engineers.
3. I am staying with my cousin while my apartment is being repaired.
4. My colleague is always interrupting me!
5. Our customer base is growing this quarter.
6. I am seeing the dentist tomorrow at nine.
7. The technician is weighing the device right now.
8. Our applications are being examined by the reviewers at the moment.
9. Lena normally works in Boston, but she is working in Denver this month.
10. We are hosting the client demonstration on Tuesday.

Explanations

Explanation
1. The continuous expresses the confirmed arrangement.
2. Use the present continuous passive: is being tested.
3. Am staying expresses the temporary stay; is being repaired describes the ongoing repair.
4. Always + continuous presents the repeated behavior as a complaint.
5. Is growing describes a developing trend.
6. Am seeing expresses attending the arranged appointment.
7. Is weighing describes actively measuring weight.
8. Use are being examined with the plural passive subject.
9. Keep the routine simple and express the temporary assignment with the continuous.
10. Are hosting communicates the agreed future arrangement.

Looking for more present continuous exercises? Check out our PDF file below. It contains 150+ exercises with answers for you to use this sentence type more accurately.

Download the present continuous exercises PDF here

Tips for solving present continuous exercises and common pitfalls

Use this three-step check when working through present continuous exercises with answers. First decide what the sentence means, then check the verb form, and finally compare your answer with the explanation.

1. Read the time context

Words such as now, at the moment, and currently often suggest an action in progress. However, they do not automatically require the present continuous. Ask whether the sentence describes a routine, a temporary situation, a developing change, or a confirmed arrangement.

Compare:

I am reading the instructions now. → Talks about an activity in progress.
I understand the instructions now. → Talks about a present state.

2. Check the meaning of the verb

Pay attention to verbs such as know, own, believe, understand, and need. They normally describe states and take simple forms.

For verbs with more than one meaning, identify the intended use:

I have a bike. → Possession.
I am having lunch. → An activity.
The soup tastes salty. → A quality.
The chef is tasting the soup. → A deliberate action.

3. Check be and -ing spelling

A correct present continuous sentence needs an appropriate form of be and an -ing form. Before submitting your answer:

Match am/is/are to the subject.
Put not after be in negative statements.
Put be before the subject in most direct questions.
Check whether the verb drops e, doubles a consonant, or changes -ie to -y.

Common present continuous errors and corrections

Common pitfall	Incorrect	Corrected	Rule / Fix
Missing be	She working now.	She is working now.	A continuous form needs be + verb-ing.
Using a continuous form for a state	I am knowing the answer.	I know the answer.	Know normally describes a state and takes the simple form.
Missing a doubled consonant	He is runing outside.	He is running outside.	Run doubles its final n before -ing.
Confusing a routine with a temporary action	I am walking to work every day as my regular routine.	I walk to work every day.	Use the present simple for a neutral statement of a regular routine.

Common errors in present continuous exercises and how to correct them

After checking an answer, say the complete sentence aloud and create a similar example about your own day.

If you missed the tense, explain the time frame.
If you missed the structure, rebuild the sentence as subject + be + verb-ing before adding other details.

Read more grammar guides and practice sets from ELSA Speak:

Keep practicing these present continuous exercises until you can explain both the form and its meaning. Then turn your answers into spoken sentences about what you are doing, changing, and planning. Continue learning with ELSA Speak and explore more lessons in our Grammar category.

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150+ present continuous exercises with answers (A1 to C1)

Present continuous rules and formulas

Basic present continuous exercises (A1-A2)

Exercise 1: Complete sentences with am, is, or are and V-ing

Exercise 2: Form negative sentences with “isn’t” and “aren’t”

Exercise 3: Basic question formation

Exercise 4: Spelling rules for adding -ing

Exercise 5: Sentence rearrangement for beginners

Intermediate present continuous exercises (B1–B2)

Exercise 6: Present simple and present continuous exercises

Exercise 7: Stative vs. dynamic verbs in context

Exercise 8: Fixed arrangements for the near future

Exercise 9: Expressing annoyance with always and constantly

Exercise 10: Error identification in contextual passages

Advanced present continuous exercises (B2-C1)

Exercise 11: Trends and developing situations

Exercise 12: Passive voice transformation in the present continuous

Exercise 13: Multiple choice on advanced sensory verbs

Exercise 14: Present continuous in business and professional reporting

Exercise 15: Sentence synthesis and paraphrasing

Tips for solving present continuous exercises and common pitfalls

1. Read the time context

2. Check the meaning of the verb

3. Check be and -ing spelling

Common present continuous errors and corrections

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