Present Continuous Tense

English Grammar

Present continuous tense - Format

• Subject + is/am/are + verb + ing + object

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• e.g., He is eating chocolates.
• They are playing cricket.

Uses of present continuous tense

• Present continuous tense is used to talk about an action that is going on at the time of speaking.

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• e.g., The child is sleeping now.

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• [Here, when the child started sleeping is not given. But the child is still sleeping. Therefore, present continuous tense is used]

Uses of present continuous tense

• In present continuous stance anything that denote past tense should not be used, like for example last year, yesterday etc.

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• Words that denote present tense like now, right now, at present, at this moment, still, today etc may be used.

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• e.g., She’s listening to music now.

Uses of present continuous tense

• Present continuous tense is also used to denote a near future action that is already planned.

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• e.g., They are going to Shravanabelagola tomorrow.

Exercises

• Complete the sentences using the present continuous form of the verbs given in brackets.

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1. The cat _____ on the fence. (sit)
2. They ____ a game of chess. (play)
3. The train ____ at the station. (arrive)
4. Mary ____ a cake for the party. (bake)
5. The kids ____ their homework. (do)

Exercises

6. The sun ____ in the east. (rise)
7. I ____ for my math exam. (study)
8. The gardener ____ the flowers. (water)
9. The dog ____ at the stranger. (bark)
10. The birds ____ in the sky. (fly)

Answers

1. The cat is sitting on the fence. (sit)
2. They are playing a game of chess. (play)
3. The train is arriving at the station. (arrive)
4. Mary is baking a cake for the party. (bake)
5. The kids are doing their homework. (do)
6. The sun is rising in the east. (rise)
7. I am studying for my math exam. (study)
8. The gardener is watering the flowers. (water)

Answers

9. The dog is barking at the stranger. (bark)
10. The birds are flying in the sky. (fly)

Exercises 2

• Read the following sentences and convert them into present continuous tense.

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1. She writes a letter.
2. The horse runs fast.
3. I eat an apple.
4. The children play in the park.
5. He visits his grandparents.
6. We celebrate the festival.

Exercise 2

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7. The bird sings a song.
8. She paints a picture.
9. The boy catches a fish.
10. The teacher explains the lesson.

Answers

1. She is writing a letter.
2. The horse is running fast.
3. I am eating an apple.
4. The children are playing in the park.
5. He is visiting his grandparents.
6. We are celebrating the festival.
7. The bird is singing a song.
8. She is painting a picture.

Answers

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9. The boy is catching a fish.
10. The teacher is explaining the lesson.

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Thank you