The present continuous is used to talk about what is happening at the moment, as well as for future scheduled events and takes the following forms:
Present Continuous Positive Form
Subject + to be (am, are, is) + present participle (ing form of verb) + objects
Present simple and continuous worksheets PDF. See also Online Exercises below. PDF exercises: PDF exercise 1 + Key with answers 1 Choose the correct tense. PDF exercise 2 + Key with answers 2 Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets. A collection of ESL, EFL downloadable, printable worksheets, practice exercises and activities to teach about present simple tense.
- Peter's working in the garden at the moment.
- We're meeting Tom at five o'clock.
Present Continuous Negative Form
Subject + to be (am, are, is) + not + verb + objects
- Mary isn't watching TV now. She's outside.
- They aren't working at the moment. They're on a break.
Present Continuous Question Form
(Question Word) + to be (am, are, is) + subject + present participle (ing form of verb)?
- What are you doing?
- Where is Tim hiding?
No Present Continuous with Stative Verbs
The present continuous, and continuous forms in general, are used with action verbs such as talk, drive, play, etc. The continuous form is not used with stative verbs such as 'be', 'seem', 'taste', etc. Some stative verbs can be used as action verbs so there are some exceptions. For example: 'smell' - It smells good. (stative verb) / He is smelling the roses. (action verb)
- He seems happy.
- This tastes very sweet.
- It doesn't appear to be difficult.
Time Expressions with Present Continuous for Present Action
Now / At the Moment
'Now' and 'at the moment' refer to the moment of speaking. These two expressions are often used with the present continuous. It's also possible to use the present continuous without these time expressions depending on the context.
- She's taking a shower at the moment.
- We're having dinner now.
- Daren is studying for the test.
Currently / This Week - Month / Today
'Currently', 'this week / month' and 'today' are used to speak about what is happening around the present moment. These forms are often used in work to speak about a project in progress.
- Jason's taking the day off today.
- They're working on the Smith account.
- Are you developing plans for the new project?
Time Expressions with Present Continuous for Future Scheduled Action
Next / On / At
The present continuous is also used for planned events in the future such as meetings. Use future time expressions such as 'next', 'tomorrow', 'at + time', 'on + day', 'in + month' etc.
- We're meeting next Thursday to discuss the issue.
- I'm presenting at two o'clock tomorrow.
- She's having lunch with Peter on Monday.
Present Continuous Worksheet 1
Conjugate the verb in parentheses in the present continuous tense. In the case of questions, use the indicated subject as well.
- Alexander _____ (study) for his exams at the moment.
- Where _____ (you meet) Tim next week?
- She _____ (not play) Golf tomorrow.
- They _____ (make) dinner now.
- The company (not finish) the plans this week.
- She _____ (eat) oysters for lunch right now.
- David _____ (not fly) to Chicago next week.
- I _____ (work) on a special report today.
- We _____ (not cook) dinner this evening because we're eating out.
- _____ (Tom drive) to work right now?
- Alice _____ (read) a new book at the moment.
- They _____ (not prepare) for the science exam at the moment.
- When _____ (you have) lunch tomorrow?
- We _____ (joke)!
- _____ (they give) a party this weekend?
- Susan _____ (make) the decision at 3 o'clock this afternoon.
- People _____ (play) tennis golf on a beautiful day like this!
- What _____ (you do)?!
- He _____ (bake) a cake at the moment.
- Which motel _____ (they stay) at now?
Present Continuous Worksheet 2
Choose the correct time expression used with the present continuous tense.
- They are cooking dinner (on the moment / now).
- The company is preparing a report for their most important client (last / this) week.
- My sister is studying for a test (at the moment / in the moment).
- We're meeting Brian (on / at) three o'clock.
- (Currently / Current) we're working on the Anderson account.
- They aren't coming for dinner (this / at) evening.
- Susan is playing tennis with Tim (now / then).
- What are you doing (this / next) afternoon?
- They're enjoying dinner (at / next) the moment.
- What are you doing (tomorrow / yesterday) afternoon?
- Henry is making the presentation (at / on) Wednesday.
- Our teacher is helping us with grammar (that / this) morning.
- My dog is barking (at the moment / in the moment).
- We're finishing the business report (today / yesterday).
- The clock is striking twelve o'clock right (now / soon). It's time to go!
- Frank is flying to Chicago (this / that) morning.
- We're reading that book (at the moment / on the moment).
- Thomas is presenting at the meeting (on / in) April.
- She's mowing the lawn (now / moment).
- They're developing a new product (this / last) month.
Present Continuous Worksheet 3
Decide whether the following sentences use present continuous for action at the moment (NOW), action around the current moment in time (AROUND), or for a future scheduled action (FUTURE).
- We're working on the Smith account this month.
- Just a moment, I think he's working out in the garden.
- Jennifer's meeting with Tom later today.
- I'm looking for a new job currently.
- We're discussing the issue on Wednesday.
- Jake's finishing his homework right now.
- Alan's working with Tom later today.
- They're making dinner for us tonight.
- I'm sorry I don't have time. I'm mowing the lawn.
- She's looking for a new home as she'd like to move soon.
Worksheet 1 - Answers
- is studying
- are you meeting
- isn't playing
- are making
- isn't finishing
- is eating
- isn't flying
- am working
- aren't cooking
- Is Tom driving
- is reading
- aren't preparing
- are you having
- are joking!
- Are they giving
- is making
- are playing
- are you doing
- is baking
- are they staying
Worksheet 2 - Answers
- now
- this week
- at the moment
- at three o'clock
- Currently
- this evening
- now
- this afternoon
- at the moment
- tomorrow afternoon
- on Wednesday
- this morning
- at the moment
- today
- right now
- this morning
- at the moment
- in April
- now
- This month
Worksheet 3 - Answers
- Around the moment
- Now
- Future
- Around the moment
- Future
- Now
- Future
- Future / Now
- Now
- Around the moment
Present Simple Positive Form Review
- Alison often watches TV after dinner.
- They play golf on Saturdays.
Present Simple Negative Form
Subject + do/does not + verb + objects
Examples:
- Jack doesn't spend much time on reading.
- They don't eat meat on Fridays.
Present Simple Question Form
(Question Word) + do/does + subject + verb?
Examples:
- What do you do after work?
- How often do you eat out?
Important Notes
The verb 'to be' does not take the auxiliary verb 'do' in the question or negative form.
Examples:
- She is a teacher.
- I am from Seattle.
- Are you married?
Time Expressions With Present Simple
Adverbs of Frequency
The following adverbs of frequency are often used with the present simple to express how often someone does something habitually. Remember that present simple is used to express daily routines and habits. These adverbs of frequency are listed from most frequent to least frequent. Adverbs of frequency are placed directly before the main verb.
- always
- usually
- often
- sometimes
- occasionally
- rarely
- never
Days of the Week and Times of the Day
Days of the week are often used with 's' to indicate that someone does something regularly on a specific day of the week. Times of the day are used to express when someone usually does something. Notice that 'at' is used with 'night', but 'in' with other periods during the day. Finally, 'at' is used with specific times during the day.
Examples:
- I play golf on Saturdays.
- She gets up early in the morning.
- Tom catches the bus at 7.30 a.m.
Present Simple Worksheet 1
Conjugate the verb in parentheses using the form indicated. In the case of questions, use the indicated subject as well.
- I usually _____ (get up) at six o'clock.
- How often _____ (she go) to the gym to workout?
- They _____ (be) from Holland.
- Jack _____ (not work) in the city.
- Where _____ (he live)?
- Alison _____ (visit) her friends on Saturdays.
- They _____ (not eat) meat on Fridays.
- _____ (you play) tennis?
- Susan often _____ (drive) to the beach when the weather is nice.
- Eric _____ (not read) in Japanese.
- When _____ (she have) dinner?
- I _____ (take) a shower before I leave for work.
- How _____ (you start) this machine?
- He _____ (not work) on Sundays.
- Sharon rarely _____ (watch) TV.
- We occasionally _____ (take) the train to Seattle.
- Peter _____ (not like) buying food in supermarkets.
- Why _____ (they leave) work so late on Fridays?
- You sometimes _____ (do) housework.
- _____ (she speak) Russian?
Present Simple Worksheet 2
Choose the correct time expression used with the present simple tense.
- I sleep in late on (Saturday / Saturdays).
- How (much / often) do you visit your friends in Chicago?
- Jennifer doesn't catch the bus (in/at) 8 in the morning.
- Henry enjoys playing golf (in/at) the afternoon.
- Do they eat fish (in/on) Fridays?
- I usually have my meetings (on/at) 10 am.
- Susan doesn't like going out (at/on) Fridays.
- Our class (usually/usual) takes tests on Tuesdays.
- The teacher gives us notes (after/while) class.
- Sharon doesn't go to be before 11 pm (in/at) night.
- Where do they usually hold meetings (at/in) the morning?
- Tom (rare/rarely) gets up early on Sundays.
- We don't enjoy eating breakfast before six (at/in) the morning.
- Our parents (occasion/occasionally) catch a train to the city.
- She doesn't use a computer (at/in) night.
- Alexander has lunch (on/at) noon.
- David doesn't work (at/on) Tuesdays.
- They listen to classical music (in/at) the afternoon.
- Mary answers her e-mail on (Friday/Fridays).
- How often do you travel (in/on) Tuesdays?
Answer Keys
Present Simple Worksheet 1
- I usually get up at six o'clock.
- How often does she go to the gym to workout?
- They are from Holland.
- Jack doesn't work in the city.
- Where does he live?
- Alison visits her friends on Saturdays.
- They don't eat meat on Fridays.
- Do you play tennis?
- Susan often drives to the beach when the weather is nice.
- Eric doesn't read in Japanese.
- When does she have dinner?
- I take a shower before I leave for work.
- How do you start this machine?
- He doesn't work on Sundays.
- Sharon rarely watches TV.
- We occasionally take the train to Seattle.
- Peter doesn't like buying food in supermarkets.
- Why do they leave work so late on Fridays?
- You sometimes do housework.
- Does she speak Russian?
Present Simple Worksheet 2
- I sleep in late on Saturdays.
- How often do you visit your friends in Chicago?
- Jennifer doesn't catch the bus at 8 in the morning.
- Henry enjoys playing golf in the afternoon.
- Do they eat fish on Fridays?
- I usually have my meetings at 10 am.
- Susan doesn't like going out on Fridays.
- Our class usually takes tests on Tuesdays.
- The teacher gives us notes after class.
- Sharon doesn't go to be before 11 pm at night.
- Where do they usually hold meetings in the morning?
- Tom rarely gets up early on Sundays.
- We don't enjoy eating breakfast before six in the morning.
- Our parents occasionally catch a train to the city.
- She doesn't use a computer at night.
- Alexander has lunch at noon.
- David doesn't work on Tuesdays.
- They listen to classical music in the afternoon.
- Mary answers her e-mail on Fridays.
- How often do you travel on Tuesdays?