EN 
VI The present continuous tense plays an important role in everyday English communication and is a grammar point that frequently appears in English exams. To help you consolidate your knowledge of this tense, let's ETEST English for Study Abroad Learn about grammar structures, usage, and practice present continuous exercise Basic and advanced exercises with answers.
Before doing the exercises, you should review the following important grammar points:
Summary of basic theory of present continuous tense
Present continuous – Present Continuous used to describe an action or event that is happening at the moment of speaking or around the moment of speaking and this action has not ended, but continues to happen..
Some basic grammar points of the present continuous tense you need to grasp include:
Present continuous tense formula
Below is the present continuous tense formula for your reference:
| Confirm | S + am/ is/ are + Ving For example: She is going to school now. |
| Negative | S + am/are/is + not + Ving For example: Mike is not studying in his room. |
| Question | 1. Yes/No Question Q: Am/ Is/ Are + S + Ving? A: Yes, S + am/is/are. No, S + am/is/are + not. For example: Is he moving his seat? => Yes, he is. |
| 2. Wh-Question Wh- + am/ are/ is (not) + S + Ving? For example: Who am I speaking to, Anna? |
How to use present continuous tense
The present continuous tense is used to:
- Describes an action or event that is in progress and not yet completed, but not necessarily happening exactly at the moment of speaking.
For example: A four-year-old child is crying over there!
- Describes an action that will definitely take place in the near future.
For example: She is seeking a new house.
- Describes a frequently repeated action or habit, used to express the speaker's feelings of annoyance or complaint. This usage is used with the adverb “always, continually”.
For example: Kevin is always talking too loud in classroom
- Describes an action or event that changes or develops rapidly.
For example: The weather is changing rapidly
Signs to recognize the present continuous tense
Some signs to recognize the present continuous tense when the sentence contains:
Sign 1: In the sentence containing adverbs of time:
- Now: Now
- Right now: Right now
- At the moment: At this time
- Today: Today
- At present: Present
- At + Hour: what time (specific time)
- It is + Hour +now: specific time at
- For + Hours: over a period of time
For example:
I am listening to music for hours.
He is doing homework now.
Sign 2: The sentence contains a number of verbs.
- Listen! (Listen!)
- Keep silent! (Keep silent!)
- Watch out! = Look out! (Watch!)
- Be careful!
- Look!/ Watch!
- Hurry up!
- Be quiet!
Some common mistakes when doing present continuous exercises
Below are some common mistakes when doing present continuous exercises that you should pay attention to:
Missing to be/V-ing
Having studied English grammar about the present continuous tense, you certainly know that the sentence must include “to be + V-ing”However, theory is sometimes out of sync with practice.
In the process of doing exercises on present continuous tense, we often forget the verb. to be or forgot to add the suffix “ing” after the verb. This is a common mistake, not only with the present continuous tense but with continuous tenses in general.
Confused with the present simple tense
Many people confuse the present continuous and the present simple tense to describe an unusual action while you are used to doing something everyday.
For example: You always go to school in the morning, but today you are going to library
(I always go to school every morning, but today I went to the bookstore.)
→ That means you normally go to school, but today you don't go to school but instead go to the bookstore)
See more knowledge about: Present simple tense
Confused with the simple future tense
The simple future tense is also often confused with the present continuous tense. You need to know that the present continuous tense is used to describe an action that has already happened in the future but is planned in advance, while the simple future tense refers to unplanned plans that often come up during speech.
For example: She is going to market on Monday.
→ That means her action of going to the market was planned to go on Monday.
See more knowledge about: Simple future tense
Basic and advanced present continuous exercises with answers
Here are some forms present continuous exercise From basic to advanced of present continuous tense you can refer and practice daily to improve your English ability.
Basic present continuous exercises
Lesson 1: Fill in the blanks with present continuous verbs.
1. Gordon? I think he ____________________ (write) a letter at the moment.
2. Yes, the match is on TV now, but we____________________ (lose).
3. Right now, Margaret____________________ (have) a shower. Do you want to ring later?
4. Sally____________________ (stay) with her aunt for a few days.
5. I____________________ (lie)! It's true! I did see Madonna at the supermarket.
6. Josh____________________ (always / use) my bike! It's so annoying.
7. We____________________ (have) lunch, but I can come round and help you later.
8. ____________________ (you/play) music up there? It's really noisy!
Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer in the present continuous tense in the blank.
1. We _______ making sandwiches.
A. am
B. are
B. is
2. I _______ sending a text message.
A. am
B. are
C. is
3. Tom _______ cleaning the shop.
A. am
B. are
C. is
4. They _______ doing an exercise.
A. am
B. are
C. is
5. The teacher _______ checking the homework.
A. am
B. are
C. is
6. My friends _______ watching a new DVD.
A. am
B. are
C. is
7. George _______ wearing a sweater today.
A. am
B. are
C. is
8. Ronny and David _______ ran out of the house.
A. am
B. are
C. is
9. My baby brother _______ playing with his toys.
A. am
B. are
C. is
10. Our class _______ visiting a museum.
A. am
B. are
C. is
Exercise 3: Choose the correct answer, you can choose multiple answers
1. Which sentence is in the Present Progressive?
A. I am reading a comic now.
B. I'm reading a comic now.
C. I'm reading a comic now.
D. I'm reading a comic now.
2. Which sentence is in the Present Progressive?
A. He has read a book.
B. He is going to read a book.
C. He is reading a book.
D. He read a book.
3. In which sentence is the Present Progressive used correctly?
A. Andrew am washing the dishes.
B. Andrew are washing the dishes.
C. Andrew is washing the dishes.
4. Which negative sentence is in the Present Progressive?
A. Eric does not doing his homework.
B. Eric is not do his homework.
C. Eric is not doing his homework.
5. Which negative sentence is in the Present Progressive?
A. We aren’t write a test.
B. We aren’t writing a test.
C. We don’t writing a test.
6. Which question is in the Present Progressive?
A. Does he sing in the bathroom?
B. Is he singing in the bathroom?
C. Singing he in the bathroom?
Bài 4: Điền vào chỗ trống
1. Dennis ____________________ comics with Peter at the moment. (to swap)
2. Listen! Pete and Joe ____________________. (to scream)
3. Timmy ____________________ the picnic basket. (to pack)
4. Look! They ____________________ hands. (to shake)
5. I ____________________ a bath right now. (to have)
6. We ____________________ Stan from school. (to collect)
7. Listen! Angela ____________________ home. (to come)
8. The cat ____________________ through the window. (to climb)
9. Look! The robber ____________________ a bag. (to steal)
10. I ____________________ to the pet shop. (to go)
Bài 5: Viết lại câu theo dạng viết tắt
1. we are playing – ______________________________________
2. he is repairing – ______________________________________
3. I am dancing – ______________________________________
4. it is raining – ______________________________________
5. they are asking – ______________________________________
6. you are sleeping – ______________________________________
7. she is wearing – ______________________________________
Bài 6: Điền vào chỗ trống
Put in the verbs in brackets into the gaps.
1. Look! The boys ____________________ a tent. (to put up)
2. I ____________________ Andrew tonight. (not/to see)
3. What _______________ Tim and Joe _______________ for lunch now? (to have)
4. Jeff ____________________ a party next Friday. (to celebrate)
5. I ____________________ Polish in a school in Krakow. (to teach)
6. He ____________________ at the supermarket in the holidays. (to work)
7. Listen to Angela! What language _______________ she _______________? (to speak)
8. Mary ____________________ at her aunt’s home. (to stay)
9. Hey! What ____________________ there? (you/to do)
10. She ____________________ Mel now. (not/to phone)
Advanced Present Continuous Exercises
Bài 1: Hoàn thành cuộc đối thoại sử dụng thì hiện tại tiếp diễn
1. a. I´m going on holiday.
Where ______________ ?
2. a. He´s cooking dinner.
What ______________ ?
3. a. My sister is going to England.
Who ______________ ?
4. a. We aren´t staying in a hotel.
Where ______________ ?
Bài 2: Hiện tại đơn hoặc Hiện tại tiếp diễn
1. ______________(you/come) tonight?
2. ______________(he/eat) rice every day?
3. He______________(work) at the moment.
4. ______________(he/come) to London often?
5. She______________(play) tennis now.
6. ______________ (you/come) to the cinema later?
7. We______________ (not/come) to the party tomorrow.
8. Vu Dang______________(not/play) golf now.
9. Vu Dang and Gia Uyen______________(go) to a restaurant every Saturday.
10. Trung Huynh or Van Vo______________(not/go) to the cinema very often.
11. You usually______________(arrive) late.
12. He normally______________(eat) dinner at home.
13. ______________ (you/study) every night?
14. ______________ (they/work) late usually?
15. John______________ (not/go) out later.
16. ______________(she/work) at the moment?
17. He______________(not/drink) coffee very often.
18. He______________(sleep) now.
19. Quan______________ (sleep) with his wife.
20. Linh______________(play) games at the moment.
Lesson 3: Fill in the blanks
1. Ted ____________ (take) a shower right now.
2. What ____________ (we / have) for dinner tonight?
3. My brother __________________ (have) a daughter and a son.
4. I __________________ (not / solve) some math problems at the moment.
5. My grandfather often _________________ (come) over for dinner at the weekends.
6. My school _________________ (begin) at nine every day.
7. What time ________________ (you / wake up) on weekdays?
8. What ________________ (you / do) tomorrow night?
9. I usually ____________ (not / work) on Sundays but today I _______________ (work).
10. She _______________ (not / sleep) now, she _______________ (study).
11. How often _________________ (you / review) your lessons?
12. I _________________ (not / go) on holiday this summer.
13. Can you speak slowly please, I ___________________ (not / understand) you.
14. She _________________ (work) as a secretary in a big company.
15. Miss Clara __________________ (take) a violin class every Wednesday.
16. It _______________ (be) usually so humid here in summer time.
17. Don’t forget to take your coat, it ___________________ (be) cold outside.
18. This flower __________________ (smell) so good.
19. That coat over there ___________________ (not / belong) to me.
20. Where _________________ (you / live)?
Bài 4: Khẳng định và Phủ định
| Positive | Negative |
| I am listening to music. | |
| She is watching a movie. | |
| I am speaking English. | |
| He is jumping on the bed. | |
| They are running fast. | |
| I am studying English at school. | |
| He is singing a song. | |
| We are playing computer games. | |
| I am drinking juice. | |
| The students are sleeping. | |
| She is eating a sandwich. | |
| I am walking to school. | |
| He is talking on the phone. | |
| We are dancing well. |
Bài 5: Điền vào chỗ trống
1. I ___________ (watch) a reality show on TV.
2. My favourite team ___________ (win)!
3. Someone ___________ (swim) in the sea.
4. Two people ___________ (cook) dinner on the beach.
5. We ___________ (not watch) a soap opera.
6. I ___________ (not do) my homework.
7. Mum ___________ (read) a magazine.
8. My brother ___________ (not listen) to the radio.
9. Dad ___________ (not cook) dinner.
10. Tara ___________ (talk) by phone.
11. Joe ___________ (play) on the computer.
12. Who ___________(watch) TV?
13. Tina ___________ (do) grammar exercises.
14. I ___________ (eat) a pizza.
15. We ___________ (sit) in the classroom.
16. I ___________ (not write) an email.
17. Amy ___________ (not go) to school today.
18. We ___________ (not have) fun today.
19. My team ___________ (not win) the match.
20. My parents ___________ (drive) to work now.
21. ___________ they ___________ (read) magazines? Yes, they are.
22. ___________ you ___________ (learn) English? Yes I am.
23. ___________ Helen ___________ (write) a letter? No, she isn´t.
24. ___________ Sarah ___________ (play) the guitar? Yes, she is.
25. We ___________ (not play) basketball.
Modern perfect continuous exercise answers
Basic present continuous exercise answers
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks
1. is writing
2. are losing
3. is having
4. is staying
5. am lying
6. is always using
7. are having
8. Are you playing
Bài 2: Chọn đáp án đúng vào chỗ trống
1. B
2. A
3. C
4. B
5. C
6. B
7. C
8. B
9. C
10.C
Exercise 3: Choose the correct answer, you can choose multiple answers
1. A & C
2. B & C
3. C
4. C
5. B
6.B
Bài 4: Điền vào chỗ trống
1. is swapping
2. are screaming
3. is packing
4. are shaking
5. am having
6. are collecting
7. is coming
8. is climbing
9. is stealing
10. am going
Bài 5: Viết lại câu theo dạng viết tắt
1. we’re playing
2. he’s repairing
3. I am dancing
4. it’s raining
5. they’re asking
6. you’re sleeping
7. she’s wearing
Bài 6: Điền vào chỗ trống
1. is putting up
2. am not seeing
3. are having
4. is celebrating
5. am teaching
6. is working
7. is speaking
8. is staying
9. are you doing
Answers to advanced exercises on present continuous tense
Bài 1: Hoàn thành cuộc đối thoại
1. is putting up
2. am not seeing
3. are having
4. is celebrating
5. am teaching
6. is working
7. is speaking
8. is staying
9. are you doing
Bài 2: Hiện tại đơn hoặc hiện tại tiếp diễn
1. Are you coming
2. Does he eat
3. is working
5. is playing
6. Are you coming
7. We are not coming
8. is not playing/ isn’t playing
9. go
10. is not going/ isn’t going
11. arrive
12. eats
13. Do you study
14. Do they work
15. is not going/ isn’t going
16. Is she working
17. does not drink/ doesn’t drink
18. is sleeping
19. sleeps
20. is playing
Lesson 3: Fill in the blanks
1. Ted is taking a shower right now.
2. What are we having for dinner tonight?
3. My brother has a daughter and a son.
4. I am not solving some math problems at the moment.
5. My grandfather often comes over for dinner at the weekends.
6. My school begins at nine every day.
7. What time do you wake up on weekdays?
8. What are you doing tomorrow night?
9. I usually don’t work on Sundays but today I am working.
10. She isn’t sleeping now, she is studying
11. How often do you review your lessons?
12. I am not going on holiday this summer.
13. Can you speak slowly please, I don’t understand you.
14. She works as a secretary in a big company.
15. Miss Clara takes a violin class every Wednesday.
16. It is usually so humid here in summer time.
17. Don’t forget to take your coat, it is cold outside.
18. This flower smells so good.
19. That coat over there doesn’t belong to me.
20. Where do you live?
Bài 4: Khẳng định và Phủ định
| I am not listening to music. |
| She is not watching a movie/ She isn’t watching a movie. |
| I am not speaking English. |
| He is not jumping on the bed/ He isn’t jumping on the bed. |
| They are not running fast/ They aren’t running fast |
| I am not studying English at school. |
| He is not singing a song/ He isn’t singing a song |
| We are playing computer games/ We aren’t playing computer games. |
| I am not drinking juice |
| The students are not sleeping/ The students aren’t sleeping. |
| She is not eating a sandwich/ She isn’t eating a sandwich |
| I am not walking to school. |
| He is not talking on the phone/ He isn’t talking on the phone |
| We are dancing well/ We aren’t dancing well. |
Bài 5: Điền vào chỗ trống
1. am watching
2. is winning
3. is swimming
4. are cooking
5. are not watching/ aren’t watching
6. am doing
7. is reading
8. is not listening/ isn’t listening
9. is not cooking/ isn’t cooking
10. is talking
11. is playing
12. is watching
13. is doing
14. am eating
15. are sitting
16. am not writing
17. is not going/ isn’t going
18. are not having/ aren’t having
19. is winning
20. are driving
21. Are they reading
22. Are you learning
23. Is Helen listening
24. Is Sarah playing
25. are not playing
See also:
Tải ngay 150+ câu present continuous exercise HERE
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