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Present continuous Exercises

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Read time : 4 minutes

Present Continuous Form : ( To be + verb + -ing )

In English we use the present continuous tense to talk about things that are happening right now or around now, for temporary situations and to describe changes. Another reason to use present continuous is for definite future arrangements. We usually know exactly when the arrangements are happening and they are often the type of arrangements we can write in a diary. There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of the event, and that some preparation has already happened. In English we often use time phrases such as now, at the moment, at this time, currently, today and this week with the present continuous.

Notes for use of present continuous :

It is not possible to use state verbs in continuous forms. State verbs are generally those which relate to thoughts, senses, emotions, relationships, states of being and measurements such as like, love, hate, own, know, contain, believe and understand. Only action verbs can be used in the present continuous. 

Generally, we take the infinitive of the verb and simply add '-ing' to make the continuous form. For example;

work --> working

go --> going

cook --> cooking

study --> studying

listen --> listening

If the verb ends in 'e', we drop the 'e' before adding '-ing'. For example;

come --> coming

take --> taking

phone --> phoning

If the verb ends in a vowel + consonant, we double the last consonant. For example;

swim --> swimming

sit --> sitting

plan --> planning

If the verb has more than one syllable, we double the consonant at the end only if the last syllable is stressed. For example;

prefer --> preferring

begin --> beginning

regret --> regretting

If the last syllable of a verb is not stressed, we do not double the last consonant. For example;

visit --> visiting

happen --> happening

develop --> developing

In British English, verbs ending in 'l' double the 'l' before '-ing' whether the last syllable is stressed or not. For example;

travel --> travelling

cancel --> cancelling

If the verb ends in a 'y' or a 'w', we do not double it when we add '-ing'. For example;

stay --> staying

play --> playing

sew --> sewing

We do not double the consonant if the verb has two vowels before the last consonant. For example;

boil --> boiling

explain --> explaining

In English we also do not double the consonant if the verb ends in two consonants. For example;

help --> helping

start --> starting

The table below shows the different forms of present continuous :

Example Verb : Go
I
You  / We / They
He / She / It
PositiveI'm going ......'re going ......'s going ... 
NegativeI'm not going ...... aren't going ...... isn't going ...

Questions

Am I going ...?Are ... going ...?Is ... going ...?
Short answers

Yes, I am. /

No, I'm not.

Yes, ... are. /

No, ... aren't.

Yes, ... is. /

No, ... isn't.


Present Continuous Example Sentences : 

Positive Examples of Present Continuous: 

  • I'm reading a good book at the moment.
  • She's staying with us for the summer.
  • They're flying to London on Saturday.
  • We're having dinner now.
  • That dog is barking loudly.
  • The company is growing fast.

Negative Examples of Present Continuous :

  • I'm not living in Australia now.
  • He isn't studying at the moment.
  • We aren't visiting London this year.
  • She isn't working today.
  • Our profits are not increasing.

Question Examples of Present Continuous :

  • Are you going to university?
  • Is he talking on the phone?
  • Am I staying with you next week? 
  • What are we doing tomorrow?
  • Where are you currently working?

In English we also use the present continuous with 'always' to indicate the action we are describing is annoying for us because it is done too often. 

Examples of Present Continuous with Always:

  • You are always working late. (You work late too often)
  • She is always complaining. (She complains too much)
  • They are always eating sweets. (They eat too many sweets)
Present continuous example sentences
About who? Who are you talking about?谁?你说的是谁?
Since you are not working tomorrow.因为你明天不用工作。
When are you finishing today?你今天什么时候结束?
Exactly, that's what I am trying to explain to him.确实是,这就是为什么我试着跟他解释。
Okay, I'm leaving my bag here.好的,我把我的包放这里。
But for now, I'm just looking for places around 600-ish.但是现在,我只是在找600左右的房子。
I was mentioning how happy he is sitting here, mate.我说的是它坐在这里很开心,伙计。
Are they saying there is no table?他们说没位置了吗?
Especially while your winter clothes are taking up all the space.特别是你的冬天衣服占满了整个空间。
How is your rice going?你的米饭怎么样了?
I'm turning the oven fan on.我正在打开烤箱风扇。
Are you laughing or listening, dear?你是在笑还是在听,亲爱的?
Hello, I'm calling about the house for rent on Lyme Street in Camden.你好,我想了解下卡姆登莱姆街上出租的房子。
Nope, I'm still looking...没有,我还在找...
The old lady's curse is following you, dear!老妇人的诅咒在跟着你,亲爱的!
Good idea, I am queuing here then!好主意,那我排在这里!
Are you seriously asking me that question?你是认真地问我那个问题吗?
So you are coming!所以你会来的!
What about when you are having your meeting?你什么时间和他们开会?
Anyway, are you planning on living here with your girlfriend?不管怎样,你打算和你女朋友一起住这儿吗?

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Be going to
Be going to passive
Be used to / Get used to
Comparative
Defining relative clause
Echo tag
Expression
First conditional
Future
Future continuous
Future perfect continuous
Future perfect passive
Future perfect simple
Future simple passive
Greeting
Have/Get something done
Imperative
Implied conditional
Indirect question
Infinitive of purpose
Interjection
Mixed conditional
Modal
Modal passive
Non-defining relative clause
Other
Past continuous
Past continuous passive
Past perfect continuous
Past perfect passive
Past perfect simple
Past simple
Past simple passive
Polite request / offer / suggestion
Present continuous
Present continuous passive
Present perfect continuous
Present perfect passive
Present perfect simple
Present simple
Present simple passive
Question tag
Reduced relative clause
Reported speech imperative
Reported speech question
Reported speech request
Reported speech statement
Second conditional
Short answer
Superlative
Third conditional
Used to / would (past habit)
Was/were going to
Was/were supposed to
Wish
Would rather
Zero conditional