Present Continuous Tense Exercises with Explanations

1. What is another name for the Present Continuous Tense?

Present Indefinite Tense	Present Progressive Tense
Present Perfect Tense	Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Correct Answer: Present Progressive Tense
Explanation: Present Continuous Tense is also known as Present Progressive Tense.

2. What is the verb ending for the Present Continuous Tense?

-ed	-es
-en	-ing
Correct Answer: -ing
Explanation: The signature verb ending for the Present Progressive/Continuous Tense is -ing.

3. Choose the Auxiliary Verb obligatory in the Present Continuous Tense?

Has	Did
Are	Does
Correct Answer: Are
Explanation: The two Auxiliary Verbs to be used in the Present Progressive Tense are - “is” and “are”.

4. In what situations do we use expressions in the Present Continuous Tense?

When something has happened in the past	When something is happening at present
When something was happening in the past	None of the above
Correct Answer: When something is happening at present
Explanation: Present Progressive Tense is used to express when something is ongoing at the present moment.

5. Which of the sentences are in the Present Continuous Tense?

We are running a marathon.	He gave an inspiring speech.
She has set the bar pretty high.	All of the above
Correct Answer: We are running a marathon.
Explanation: Sentences in the Present Continuous Tense are made of Auxiliary Verbs - “is” or “are” that sit before the main verbs with the verb ending -ing.

6. What is the Auxiliary Verb in the Present Tense to be used for Present Progressive statements?

Is	Are
Will be	A & B
Correct Answer: A & B
Explanation: The two Auxiliary Verbs to be used in the Present Progressive Tense are - “is” and “are”.

7. Which type of sentence in the Present Tense deals with things happing or ongoing right at this moment in time?

Present Indefinite Tense	Present Perfect Tense
Present Perfect Continuous Tense	None of the above
Correct Answer: None of the above
Explanation: Present Progressive Tense is used to express when something is ongoing at the present moment.

8. What is the prime similarity between Present and Past Continuous Tenses?

Both occur at the present	Both talk about the continuity of action right then
Both state the continuity of actions	There is no similarity
Correct Answer: Both state the continuity of actions
Explanation: All kinds of Continuous and Progressive Tenses deal with the continuity of action.

9. Which of the Auxiliary Verbs does not get used in the Present Progressive sentences?

Is	Are
Both	Was
Correct Answer: Was
Explanation: The two Auxiliary Verbs to be used in the Present Progressive Tense are - “is” and “are”.

10. Find the sentence in the Present Continuous Tense.

I will be visiting you soon enough.	We were learning to adapt to your ways.
She is extending a hand for friendship’s sake.	All of the above
Correct Answer: She is extending a hand for friendship’s sake.
Explanation: Sentences in the Present Continuous Tense are made of Auxiliary Verbs - “is” or “are” that sit before the main verbs with the verb ending -ing.

11. What is the similarity between Present Continuous Tense and Past Perfect Continuous Tense?

The verb ending	Auxiliary verbs used
The time span attached to the end	None of the above
Correct Answer: The verb ending
Explanation: All kinds of Continuous and Progressive Tenses share the same verb ending -ing.

12. Which one is not an example of statements in the Present Continuous Tense?

Rammy is running for Student Club President.	Sam will be keeping an eye on the event proceedings.
We both are performing in the acapella.	The students are singing the national anthem.
Correct Answer: Sam will be keeping an eye on the event proceedings.
Explanation: Sentences in the Present Continuous Tense are made of Auxiliary Verbs - “is” or “are” that sit before the main verbs with the verb ending -ing.

13. Which one is the wrong verb ending for the Present Progressive Tense?

-ing	-ed
All of the above	None of the above
Correct Answer: -ed
Explanation: Present Progressive Tense has the verb ending -ing.

14. Pick the Present Progressive option to fill in the blank - Ron ------------------ in the annual sports event this year.

is taking part	will be taking part
had been taking part	were taking part
Correct Answer: is taking part
Explanation: Sentences in the Present Continuous Tense are made of Auxiliary Verbs - “is” or “are” that sit before the main verbs with the verb ending -ing.

15. Make a Present Continuous sentence - Reese and Vince _____ eating only the meat from between everyone’s burgers.

were	was
are	will be
Correct Answer: are
Explanation: Sentences in the Present Continuous Tense are made of Auxiliary Verbs - “is” or “are” that sit before the main verbs with the verb ending -ing.

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