Present Continuous Tense (Formula, Examples & Exercises)

Present continuous tense expresses the ongoing action or task of the present. It is also called present progressive tense. For example, I am eating the meal.

Present continuous tense (Present progressive tense)
Present continuous tense (Present progressive tense)

Signal Words

  • at the moment
  • just now
  • right now

Structure / Formula

Subject + is/am/are + Present participle (-ing) form

Subject (I)amPresent participle(-ing)+…
Subject (He/she/it)isPresent participle(-ing)+…
Subject (We/They)arePresent participle(-ing)+…

Positive Sentences

To make the positive sentences, we use same structure,

Subject + is/am/are + Present participle (-ing) form

Examples of positive sentences

  • Julia is making a sponge cake right now.
  • He is going to the hill station next week.

Negative Sentences

We add ‘not’ after auxiliary verb to make the sentence negative.

Subject + is/am/are + not + Present participle (-ing) form

Examples of negative sentences.

  • Julia is not making a sponge cake right now.
  • He is not going to hill station next week.

Question Sentences

To make the question, auxiliary verb come at the start of the sentence and question mark at the end.

Is/am/are + Subject + Present participle (-ing) form + ?

Examples of question sentences.

  • Is Julia making a sponge cake right now?
  • Is he going to hill station next week?

Usage

UsageExample
To express actions that are happening now.He is playing tennis now.
To express actions that are planned.He is watching movie with his friend next Sunday.
For changing situations.The climate is getting hotter each year.
To express time at the moment of speaking We are performing our duty at the moment.

Example Sentences

  • The laborer is pushing the cart.
  • He is flattering the boss.
  • She is kneading the flour.
  • He is spending the holidays in Switzerland.
  • I am taking the examination this month.
  • John is writing an essay on education.
  • Peter is running on the jogging track.
  • He is reading his favorite book.
  • The police are catching the thief.
  • They are playing badminton right now.

See also: Simple Present Tense( Formula, Examples, Exercise)

Passive Voice

Usually, passive voice of present continuous tense is made when the subject is not known. For example,

  • Flowers are being plucked. (affirmative)
  • Flowers are not being plucked. (negative)
  • Are the flowers being plucked? (question)

Structure of passive voice sentences,

Object + is/am/are + being + Verb(v3)

Exercises

  1. _____ he ___________ the flowers? (pluck)
  2. Jami __________ with the guitar. (play)
  3. Anu _________ the flour. (knead)
  4. The laborer _________ the carriage. (push)
  5. We _____ not _________ the ruinations. (sketch)
  6. I _________ an interesting essay. (write)
  7. ________ you ________ holidays on the beach? (spend)
  8. _______ our leaders ________ for the prosperity of our country? (work)
  9. He ______ not _______ the M.A. Examination this year. (take)
  10. I _________ my clothes. (iron)
  11. The doctor _________ the pulse of the patient. (feel)
  12. Jamid ________ on a foreign tour. (go)
  13. He _____ not ________ the birds. (shoot)
  14. They _________ the tea during the break time. (take)
  15. Shiza _________ the dose of medicine. (take)

View: Present Continuous/Progressive Tense Practice Test

Answers

  1. Is he plucking the flowers?
  2. Jami is playing with the guitar.
  3. Anu is kneading the flour.
  4. The laborer is pushing the carriage.
  5. We are not sketching the ruinations.
  6. I am writing an interesting essay.
  7. Are you spending holidays on the beach?
  8. Are our leaders working for the prosperity of our country?
  9. He is not taking the M.A. Examination this year.
  10. I am ironing my clothes.
  11. The doctor is feeling the pulse of the patient.
  12. Jamid is going on a foreign tour.
  13. He is not shooting the birds.
  14. They are taking the tea during the break time.
  15. Shiza is taking the dose of medicine.

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