PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSE

. Personal English Tutor · Alberto Pifano · 642 567 999 · albertopifano@outlook.es

Generally, the present progressive tense indicates a continuing action, so it is used to talk about something that is happening

at the very moment in which we say it. However, it can also suggest future plans or an action is going to happen in the future,

especially with verbs that convey the idea of a plan or a movement from one place or condition to another. This tense is

formed with the helping “to be” verb plus a verb with an –ing ending.

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE INTERROGATIVE

I am sleeping I am not sleeping Am I sleeping?

You are sleeping You aren’t sleeping Are you sleeping?

He/she/it is sleeping He/she/it isn’t sleeping Is he/she/it sleeping?

We are sleeping We aren’t sleeping Are we sleeping?

You are sleeping You aren’t sleeping Are you sleeping?

They are sleeping They aren’t sleeping Are they sleeping?

AFF  subject + to be + verb + -ing

NEG  subject + to be negative + verb + ing

INT  To be + subject + verb + ing

Right now, just
now, at the
moment, for the These examples might be helpful!
time being, at
present
· It can be used to talk about actions that are happening now:

“Michael is reading right now.”

“Amy is watching TV at the moment.”

· It can also be used to talk about arrangements (plans you have organised) in the future: Tomorrow,
“My brother is playing football with his friends tonight.”
next Monday,
next week, in a
“I am going to the cinema at the weekend.”
while, tonight,
“Are you having a party for your birthday? later on…
 PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSE

Personal English Tutor · Alberto Pifano · 642 567 999 · albertopifano@outlook.es

Let’s practice, shall we?

1. Use either present simple or present continuous.

a) The train always ______ (leave) on time.

b) “What’s the matter?” Why ______ (cry/you)?”
c) That’s strange. They ______ (not watch).
d) He ______ (not speak) very good English.
e) Please be quiet! I ______ (do) my homework.
f) Where ______ they ______ (live)?
g) Listen! John ______ (play) music.
h) I never ______ (go) to the swimming pool.
i) Harold Back is a famous pianist. He ______ (give) two or three concerts every week.
j) He ______ (travel) a lot and this week he is in New York. He ______ at a very expensive
hotel now.
k) Harold is always very busy. He ______ (play) the piano regularly. He ______ (practise) for
four hours every day. He ______ (go) to bed late and he always ______ (get up) early.
but he sometimes ______ (get) dressed to quickly, and this morning he ______ (wear)
one blue sock and one red one!

2. Use either present simple or present continuous.

a) Next week, my friends and I ______ (go) camping in the woods. I ______ (organize)
the food, because I ______ (like) cooking. Dave ______ (have) a big car with a trailer,
so he ______ (plan) the transportation. Sam ______ (bring) the tent. He ______ (go)
camping every year, so he ______ (have) a great tent and a lots of other equipment.
my wife ______ (think) we’re crazy. She ______ (like) holidays in comfortable hotels,
so she ______ (take) a trip to Paris instead.
 PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSE

Personal English Tutor · Alberto Pifano · 642 567 999 · albertopifano@outlook.es

3. Choose the correct form for each verb.

a) Marie isn’t a Canadian. I believe/am believing she comes from France.
b) Look! Junko jumps/is jumping into the water.
c) I think/am thinking you’re crazy.
d) Don’t give Jan any cheese. She hates/is hating it.
e) I go/am going to Toronto next Thursday. Do you want to come?
f) Once a week I go/am going to an art class.
g) I have/am having lunch in the cafeteria every day.
h) You won’t find Jerry at home right now. He studies/is studying in the library.
i) It snows/is snowing quite hard. Perhaps we shouldn’t go out tonight.
j) Today she is spending/spends time with her grandmother.
k) They usually are going/go to the gym on Sundays.
l) We are having/have a barbecue later on. Do you want to come?
m) No, she can’t answer the phone. She has/is having a shower.
n) I always have/am having a coffee before I leave for work.
o) They sometimes fly/are flying to Switzerland, but today they go/are going by train.
p) He always brings/is bringing a monolingual dictionary to his English class.

4. Complete the sentences below using one of the verbs in the box in the correct form.
You may use each verb once only.
enjoy · prefer · play · produce · work · seem · know · interview · wait · talk · finish

a) I always ______ (play) tennis on Fridays.

b) He ______ his report. He will bring it into the office when it is complete.
c) My parents phoned me this morning. They ______ themselves in Ibiza. Champagne every
night. In fact, they don’t want to leave!
d) We ______ to entertain our guests in a local restaurant rather than the canteen. Although
it is expensive, we can talk freely there.
e) I ______ the answer to your problem: get a new computer.
f) Where’s John? He ______ for an important call in his office.
g) I can’t make the meeting tomorrow. I ______ the applicants for the sales manager’s job.
h) My brother ______ for Shink Inc, which makes bathroom fittings.
i) Who ______ to Bill? Is it the new secretary?
j) The new contract ______ fine to me. However, could you just check it through once more?