Present Continuous Tense

Your Everyday English Companion: Present Continuous Tense

1. Actions Happening Right Now: The present continuous is perfect for describing actions that are happening at this very moment. It’s like capturing a snapshot of what’s going on.

   • Voorbeeld (Example): Ik ben nu een boek aan het lezen. (I am reading a book right now.)

   • Tip: Use this tense to talk about what you or others are doing at the moment of speaking.

2. Temporary Actions or Situations: Use the present continuous to describe actions or situations that are temporary or not permanent.

   • Voorbeeld: Hij is deze week in Amsterdam aan het werken. (He is working in Amsterdam this week.)

   • Tip: This tense is useful for describing temporary jobs, living situations, or activities.

3. Future Plans: The present continuous can also be used to talk about future plans or arrangements, especially when they are already decided or scheduled.

   • Voorbeeld: We zijn morgen naar het museum aan het gaan. (We are going to the museum tomorrow.)

   • Tip: Use time expressions like “morgen” (tomorrow), “volgende week” (next week), or “vanavond” (tonight) to indicate future plans.

4. Repeated Actions with Annoyance: Sometimes, the present continuous is used to describe actions that happen repeatedly, often with a sense of annoyance or irritation.

   • Voorbeeld: Ze is altijd aan het klagen over het weer. (She is always complaining about the weather.)

   • Tip: Use adverbs like “altijd” (always) to emphasize the repetitive nature of the action.

Summary:

The present continuous tense is your go-to for talking about actions happening right now, temporary situations, future plans, and even repeated actions that might be a bit annoying. It’s a versatile tense that helps you describe the dynamic and ever-changing aspects of life.

Instructions

Choose the correct answer for each of the following questions about the present continous tense.

Question 1:

What is another name for the present continuous tense?

A) Past tense

B) Future tense

C) Present continuous or progressive

D) Simple present

Question 2:

When do we use the present continuous tense?

A) When talking about the past

B) When talking about the future

C) When talking about something happening now

D) When talking about something that happened yesterday

Question 3:

Which sentence uses the present continuous tense correctly?

A) I am danced.

B) She is running yesterday.

C) They are eating now.

D) He is fly.

Question 4:

What is the correct form of the present continuous tense for "I"?

A) Am + verb + ing

B) Is + verb + ing

C) Are + verb + ing

D) Do + verb + ing

Question 5:

Complete the sentence: "We ________ right now."

A) Am talking

B) Is talking

C) Are talking

D) Do talking

Question 6:

Which sentence is in the negative form of the present continuous tense?

A) I am singing.

B) She is crying.

C) He is sitting.

D) They are swimming.

Question 7:

What is the correct negative form of the present continuous tense for "I"?

A) Am not + verb + ing

B) Is not + verb + ing

C) Are not + verb + ing

D) Do not + verb + ing

Question 8:

Complete the sentence: "He ________ right now."

A) Am not eating

B) Is not eating

C) Are not eating

D) Do not eating

Question 9:

Which sentence is in the interrogative form of the present continuous tense?

A) She is fishing.

B) Is he singing?

C) They are writing.

D) We are reading.

Question 10:

What is the correct interrogative form of the present continuous tense for "he"?

A) Am he singing?

B) Is he singing?

C) Are he singing?

D) Do he singing?

Question 11:

Complete the sentence: "Is she ________?"

A) Running yes she is

B) Running no she is not

C) Running maybe she is

D) Running sometimes she is

Question 12:

Which sentence is not in the present continuous tense?

A) Is he drinking?

B) He is not drinking.

C) Is she running?

D) She is not running.

Question 13:

What is the correct form of the present continuous tense for "it"?

A) Am + verb + ing

B) Is + verb + ing

C) Are + verb + ing

D) Do + verb + ing

Question 14:

Complete the sentence: "It ________ right now."

A) Am sleeping

B) Is sleeping

C) Are sleeping

D) Do sleeping

Question 15:

Which sentence is in the negative form of the present continuous tense?

A) They are swimming.

B) He is sitting.

C) It is jumping.

D) They are not swimming.

Question 16:

What is the correct negative form of the present continuous tense for "they"?

A) Am not + verb + ing

B) Is not + verb + ing

C) Are not + verb + ing

D) Do not + verb + ing

Question 17:

Complete the sentence: "They ________ right now."

A) Am not eating

B) Is not eating

C) Are not eating

D) Do not eating

Question 18:

Which sentence is in the interrogative form of the present continuous tense?

A) He is sitting.

B) Is she fishing?

C) We are reading.

D) Is he drinking?

Question 19:

What is the correct interrogative form of the present continuous tense for "we"?

A) Am we reading?

B) Is we reading?

C) Are we reading?

D) Do we reading?

Question 20:

Complete the sentence: "Are we ________?"

A) Reading yes we are

B) Reading no we are not

C) Reading maybe we are

D) Reading sometimes we are