Understanding Progressive Verb Tenses
Progressive verb tenses show actions that are ongoing or in progress. They help describe what someone is doing right now, was doing in the past, or will be doing in the future.
What Are Progressive Verb Tenses?
Progressive verb tenses are made up of two parts:
- A form of the verb “to be” (am, is, are, was, were, will be)
- The main verb ending in -ing (e.g., playing, running, reading)
Types of Progressive Verb Tenses
- Present Progressive Tense
When to Use: To talk about actions happening right now.
How to Form: Use “am,” “is,” or “are” + verb ending in -ing.
Examples:
- “I am eating dinner.”
- “She is reading a book.”
- “They are playing soccer.”
- Past Progressive Tense
When to Use: To describe actions that were ongoing in the past.
How to Form: Use “was” or “were” + verb ending in -ing.
Examples:
- “I was watching TV when she called.”
- “He was studying all night.”
- “We were dancing at the party.”
- Future Progressive Tense
When to Use: To talk about actions that will be ongoing in the future.
How to Form: Use “will be” + verb ending in -ing.
Examples:
- “I will be traveling to London next week.”
- “She will be writing her essay tomorrow.”
- “They will be playing in the park later.”
Tips & Tricks
- Identify the Time Frame:
- Present: Use “am,” “is,” or “are.”
- Past: Use “was” or “were.”
- Future: Use “will be.”
- Check the Main Verb: Make sure it ends in -ing.
- Example: “They are eating” (not “eats”).
- Match the Subject with the Correct Form of “to be”:
- Singular Subjects: “He is playing.”
- Plural Subjects: “They are playing.”
- Practice with Examples: Write sentences about what you are doing now, what you were doing yesterday, and what you will be doing next week.
Quick Recap
- Present Progressive: Describes what’s happening right now.
Example: “She is drawing a picture.” - Past Progressive: Describes what was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example: “They were watching a movie.” - Future Progressive: Describes what will be happening in the future.
Example: “I will be attending a concert.”
By using progressive verb tenses correctly, you can clearly show when an action is happening and how it fits into the timeline of events!
Easy Difficulty Questions
- Choose the correct form: “I _ reading a book right now.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “She _ watching TV yesterday.”
a) is
b) was
c) will be - Which sentence is in the present progressive tense?
a) “They were playing football.”
b) “He is eating dinner.”
c) “We will be going to school.” - Fill in the blank: “Tomorrow, they _ studying for their exams.”
a) are
b) were
c) will be - Choose the correct form: “He _ jogging in the park now.”
a) is
b) was
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “We _ talking to our friends last week.”
a) are
b) was
c) were - Which sentence is in the past progressive tense?
a) “She is drawing a picture.”
b) “They were eating lunch.”
c) “I will be going to the store.” - Fill in the blank: “She _ playing the piano when I arrived.”
a) is
b) was
c) will be - Choose the correct verb: “I _ writing a letter right now.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “He _ taking a nap at 2 PM yesterday.”
a) is
b) was
c) will be - Which sentence is in the future progressive tense?
a) “She is reading a book.”
b) “They were watching a movie.”
c) “We will be visiting our grandparents.” - Fill in the blank: “At this time tomorrow, I _ working on my project.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Choose the correct form: “They _ eating dinner right now.”
a) are
b) were
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “He _ playing soccer when it started to rain.”
a) is
b) was
c) will be - Which sentence uses the past progressive tense?
a) “She is studying for her exam.”
b) “They were making cookies.”
c) “He will be finishing his homework.” - Fill in the blank: “I _ watching a movie when the power went out.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Choose the correct form: “Tomorrow, we _ having a party.”
a) are
b) was
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “She _ reading a book last night.”
a) is
b) was
c) will be - Which sentence is in the present progressive tense?
a) “He was sleeping.”
b) “They are dancing.”
c) “I will be cooking dinner.” - Fill in the blank: “Next week, they _ traveling to France.”
a) are
b) was
c) will be
Medium Difficulty Questions
- Fill in the blank: “I _ studying when my friend called me.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Choose the correct form: “She _ writing a report for school right now.”
a) is
b) was
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “They _ having dinner at this time yesterday.”
a) are
b) was
c) were - Which sentence is in the future progressive tense?
a) “He was cleaning his room.”
b) “She is baking cookies.”
c) “We will be traveling to Spain.” - Fill in the blank: “He _ running in the park when it started to rain.”
a) is
b) was
c) will be - Choose the correct verb: “At noon, I _ having lunch.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “By this time next week, we _ working on our project.”
a) are
b) was
c) will be - Which sentence uses the past progressive tense?
a) “They are watching TV.”
b) “I was reading a book.”
c) “She will be visiting her friend.” - Fill in the blank: “She _ preparing for the exam when I visited her.”
a) is
b) was
c) will be - Choose the correct form: “They _ playing video games at 5 PM yesterday.”
a) are
b) were
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “I _ practicing the piano when you called.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Which sentence is in the present progressive tense?
a) “He was studying.”
b) “She is making a cake.”
c) “They will be driving home.” - Fill in the blank: “Tomorrow at this time, we _ having a picnic.”
a) are
b) was
c) will be - Choose the correct form: “The students _ taking notes during the lecture.”
a) are
b) were
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “By next month, I _ finishing the book.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Which sentence uses the future progressive tense?
a) “They were running in the park.”
b) “She is drawing a picture.”
c) “He will be starting his new job.” - Fill in the blank: “I _ watching a movie when the phone rang.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Choose the correct verb: “He _ preparing dinner now.”
a) is
b) was
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “They _ not be working at this time tomorrow.”
a) are
b) were
c) will be - Which sentence is in the past progressive tense?
a) “She was studying when I arrived.”
b) “They are going to the park.”
c) “He will be watching TV later.”
High Difficulty Questions
- Fill in the blank: “Neither the students nor the teacher _ understanding the new concept.”
a) am
b) were
c) will be - Choose the correct verb: “At this exact moment, they _ working on their science project.”
a) are
b) was
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “By the time you arrive, I _ already started cooking dinner.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Which sentence uses the past progressive tense correctly?
a) “The artist was painting a masterpiece yesterday.”
b) “She is running in the park.”
c) “They will be traveling to Paris.” - Fill in the blank: “By next week, I _ revising my essay for the final draft.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Choose the correct form: “When the alarm went off, they _ sleeping soundly.”
a) are
b) were
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “During the summer vacation, we _ exploring different cities.”
a) are
b) were
c) will be - Which sentence is in the future progressive tense?
a) “She will be finishing her book by next month.”
b) “They were attending the conference last year.”
c) “He is preparing for the test right now.” - Fill in the blank: “Yesterday, at this time, I _ studying for my exam.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Choose the correct verb: “In two hours, we _ be waiting for the train.”
a) are
b) was
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “They _ watching a documentary when the power went out.”
a) are
b) was
c) were - **Which sentence uses the present progressive tense correctly
?**
a) “She will be cooking dinner soon.”
b) “They are learning a new language.”
c) “He was running in the park.”
- Fill in the blank: “At this time last year, I _ preparing for my exams.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Choose the correct verb: “By next summer, she _ working in a new city.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “We _ discussing the project when the meeting ended.”
a) are
b) was
c) were - Which sentence is in the future progressive tense?
a) “I will be visiting my cousin next weekend.”
b) “She is watching TV right now.”
c) “They were planning the party yesterday.” - Fill in the blank: “During the break, I _ writing a letter to my friend.”
a) am
b) was
c) will be - Choose the correct form: “When the guests arrive, we _ setting the table.”
a) are
b) was
c) will be - Fill in the blank: “He _ working on the assignment when the internet failed.”
a) is
b) was
c) will be - Which sentence uses the past progressive tense correctly?
a) “She is preparing for her presentation.”
b) “They were waiting for the bus.”
c) “He will be reading a book later.”
