The present continuous tense is used to talk about actions and situations that are going on at the moment of speaking.

This tense form is made by putting be (is, am, are) before the –ing form of the verb. This tense form can be confusing for a beginner level student who doesn’t know which form of be should be used with different subjects.

Here are the basic rules.

Use is when the subject is a singular noun (e.g. boy, book, apple) or third person singular pronoun (e.g. he, she or it)

Use are when the subject is a plural noun (e.g. boys, books, apples) or a plural pronoun (e.g. they, we, you).

Use am when the subject is I.

Complete the following sentences using the present continuous form of the verb given in the brackets.

1. I ……………………….. (work) on my computer.

2. She ………………………. (water) the plants.

3. Dad ……………………………. (listen) to the news.

4. Mother ………………………….. (read) the newspaper.

5. She …………………………… (do) her homework.

6. What …………………………. (you do)?

7. Where ……………………………. (you go)?

8. I ……………………. (visit) my parents this week.

9. They …………………. (prepare) for the test.

10. Rahul ………………………. (get) ready for school.

11. Alice …………………… (wash) her hair.

12. I …………………… (take) a short break.

Answers

1. I am working on my computer.

2. She is watering the plants.

3. Dad is listening to the news.

4. Mother is reading the newspaper.

5. She is doing her homework.

6. What are you doing?

7. Where are you going?

8. I am visiting my parents this week.

9. They are preparing for the test.

10. Rahul is getting ready for school.

11. Alice is washing her hair.

12. I am taking a short break.