What is Present Continuous Tense? (Rules, Structure & Examples)
The present continuous tense is one of the most important tenses for school and everyday English. Knowing it helps you talk about actions happening right now, describe changes, and communicate in exams or real-life situations. Practice is key for mastering both grammar and usage, especially for NCERT and competitive exams.
| Sentence Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing | She is playing. |
| Negative | Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing | They are not sleeping. |
| Interrogative | Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing? | Are you studying? |
What is the Present Continuous Tense?
The present continuous tense is used to talk about actions happening now or around the present moment. It also describes temporary activities or planned future events. This tense is common in school exams and daily conversation.
Present Continuous Tense Sentence Structure
To form the present continuous tense, use this pattern:
- I am + base verb + ing (I am eating)
- He/She/It is + base verb + ing (She is running)
- You/We/They are + base verb + ing (They are reading)
For negative sentences, add not after the auxiliary verb: She is not singing. For questions, place the auxiliary verb at the start: Is he coming?
Common Signal Words in Present Continuous
- now
- at the moment
- currently
- right now
- today
- this week
When these words appear, the action is often described using the present continuous tense. These words can help you recognize when to use this form in questions or exercises.
Present Continuous Tense Exercises with Answers
Try these fill-in-the-blank and rewrite exercises to check your understanding. Answers are provided for quick revision.
- I __________ (eat) my lunch right now. am eating
- She __________ (read) a novel. is reading
- We __________ (play) football at the moment. are playing
- The students __________ (write) an essay. are writing
- He __________ (watch) TV. is watching
- Change to present continuous:
a) He writes a letter. → He is writing a letter.
b) They play chess. → They are playing chess.
- Make questions in present continuous:
a) (she / cook) dinner → Is she cooking dinner?
b) (they / dance) now → Are they dancing now?
Common Mistakes with Present Continuous Tense
- Using the wrong auxiliary (e.g., “He are eating” instead of “He is eating”)
- Omitting -ing (“She is cook” instead of “She is cooking”)
- Using stative verbs incorrectly (“I am knowing this” is wrong)
- Forgetting to use “am/is/are” before the main verb
To avoid errors, always check the subject and verb agreement and use the -ing form for the main verb.
Present Continuous vs. Simple Present
| Simple Present | Present Continuous |
|---|---|
| He goes to school every day. (habit or routine) |
He is going to school now. (happening at this moment) |
| I read newspapers. (regular action) |
I am reading the newspaper now. (action happening right now) |
Practice More Present Continuous Tense Worksheets
You can find more practice and explanations on Present Continuous Tense and download worksheets in PDF format for revision. For tenses comparison, visit Tenses Exercises at Vedantu.
Mastering the present continuous tense supports your exam preparation, writing, and daily English usage. Consistent practice helps you form sentences, questions, and negatives with confidence—in school and in everyday conversation.
FAQs on Present Continuous Tense Exercises with Answers and Practice PDF
1. What is the present continuous tense?
The present continuous tense, also known as the present progressive tense, describes actions happening now or ongoing situations. It emphasizes the duration or ongoing nature of an action. The structure uses am/is/are + verb + -ing. For example: "She is reading a book."
2. How do you form the present continuous tense?
The basic structure is: Subject + am/is/are + main verb + -ing. 'Am' is used with 'I', 'is' with he/she/it, and 'are' with you/we/they. Examples: I am playing; She is studying; They are watching.
3. When do we use the present continuous tense?
Use the present continuous for:
- Actions happening now: "I am writing this answer."
- Temporary actions: "She is staying at a hotel this week."
- Future plans (often with time expressions): "They are leaving tomorrow."
- Repeated actions (showing annoyance): "He is always interrupting!">
4. How do I make negative sentences in the present continuous tense?
Add "not" after "am/is/are." You can use contractions (isn't, aren't, am not). Examples: I am not eating; She isn't sleeping; They aren't playing.
5. How do I form questions in the present continuous tense?
Invert the subject and the helping verb (am/is/are). Examples: Am I working? Is she singing? Are they listening?
6. What are some common mistakes with the present continuous tense?
Common mistakes include:
- Incorrect subject-verb agreement (e.g., "He is going," not "He are going")
- Forgetting the -ing ending on the main verb
- Using the present continuous with stative verbs (verbs describing states, not actions, like 'believe,' 'know,' 'love')
7. What are some signal words for the present continuous tense?
Look for words like: now, at the moment, right now, currently, today, this week, this month, etc.
8. What is the difference between the present continuous and the simple present tense?
The simple present describes habits, routines, facts, and general truths; the present continuous describes actions in progress at the moment of speaking. Example: "She plays the piano." (habit) vs. "She is playing the piano." (happening now).
9. Can I use the present continuous tense for future plans?
Yes, the present continuous can be used for future plans, especially those that are already arranged or scheduled. For example: "I am meeting him tomorrow."
10. How can I practice the present continuous tense?
Practice using various exercises, such as fill-in-the-blanks, sentence transformations (positive to negative, affirmative to interrogative), and completing dialogues. Online quizzes are also beneficial.
11. What are some examples of present continuous sentences?
Here are a few examples:
- He is playing football.
- She is cooking dinner.
- We are going to the cinema.
- They are studying English.
- I am working on a project.
12. Are contractions acceptable in the present continuous tense?
Contractions (I'm, you're, he's, she's, it's, we're, they're) are generally acceptable in informal writing and speaking. However, in formal writing, like exams, it's best to use the full forms (I am, you are, he is, etc.) for clarity.
