The Present Tense Continuous - Exercises

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PRESENT TENSE CONTINUOUS EXERCISES 1. Translate into English: You are watching TV. __________________________________________________ Are you watching TV? __________________________________________________ You are not watching TV. _______________________________________________ You are learning English now. ____________________________________________ You are not swimming now. _____________________________________________ Are you sleeping? __________________________________________________- ___ I am sitting. ___________________________________________________________ I am not standing. _____________________________________________________ Is he sitting or standing? ________________________________________________ They are reading their books. _____________________________________________ They are not watching television. _________________________________________ What are you doing? ____________________________________________________ Why aren't you doing your homework? _____________________________________ I am studying to become a doctor. _________________________________________ I am not studying to become a dentist. _____________________________________ I am reading the book Tom Sawyer. ________________________________________ I am not reading any books right now. ______________________________________ Are you working on any special projects at work?

Transcript of The Present Tense Continuous - Exercises

Page 1: The Present Tense Continuous - Exercises

PRESENT TENSE CONTINUOUS EXERCISES

1. Translate into English:

You are watching TV. __________________________________________________

Are you watching TV? __________________________________________________

You are not watching TV. _______________________________________________

You are learning English now. ____________________________________________

You are not swimming now. _____________________________________________

Are you sleeping? _____________________________________________________

I am sitting. ___________________________________________________________

I am not standing. _____________________________________________________

Is he sitting or standing? ________________________________________________

They are reading their books. _____________________________________________

They are not watching television. _________________________________________

What are you doing? ____________________________________________________

Why aren't you doing your homework? _____________________________________

I am studying to become a doctor. _________________________________________

I am not studying to become a dentist. _____________________________________

I am reading the book Tom Sawyer. ________________________________________

I am not reading any books right now. ______________________________________

Are you working on any special projects at work?

________________________________________________________________________

Aren't you teaching at the university now?

________________________________________________________________________

I am meeting some friends after work. ______________________________________

I am not going to the party tonight. _________________________________________

Is he visiting his parents next weekend?

________________________________________________________________________

Isn't he coming with us tonight? ___________________________________________

She is always coming to class late. ________________________________________

He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.

________________________________________________________________________

I don't like them because they are always complaining.

________________________________________________________________________

She loves this chocolate ice cream. ________________________________________

You are still watching TV. ________________________________________________

Are you still watching TV? ________________________________________________

Right now, Tom is writing the letter. ________________________________________

Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. _____________________________________________________________________

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2. Form sentences in the present continuous tense. Use the short form and don't forget the full-stop at the end of the sentence.

Example: I / watch / TV. I'm watching TV. 1. I / sit / on a chair.

2. He / smoke / a cigar.

3. They / play / football.

4. It / rain.

5. Anne / write / a letter.

6. Bob / read / a book.

7. We / walk / to work.

8. You / eat / an apple.

9. They / run / around the park.

10. I / wait / for the bus.

3. Complete the sentences using am/is/are and one of the verbs below. Use the long form

washing cooking playing building swimming

snowing having watching coming doing

1. I can't talk now. I __________________the dishes.

2. Listen to Jim. He __________________the guitar.

3. It _______________so we can go skiing.

4. Look at Jill. She _________________in the river.

5. They _____________________a new house in Fairfield.

6. Someone ____________________. I can smell the food.

7. Hurry. The bus ______________________.

8. They ________________ their exercises so they can lose weight.

9. I can't answer the phone. I __________________ a shower.

10. Don and Jerry __________________ the football on TV.

4. Complete the sentences in the negative. Use the short form.

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Example: I _________ (walk) to school.

I'm not walking to school.

1. Anthony __________________ (drive) home. He's had too much to drink.

2. The bus __________________(stop). It's passing us.

3. We ____________________(speak) Spanish.

4. You ___________________(listen) to pop music.

5. I ___________________(learn) English.

6. She ____________________(get) some money from the bank.

7. They ______________________(make) dinner.

8. We _____________________(shut) the window.

9. Robert _____________________(close) the door.

10. They ______________________(open) the shop now.

5. Change the following sentences into questions. Don't forget the question mark at the end of the question.

Example: He is watching TV.

Is he watching TV?

1. Harry and Alice are cooking dinner tonight.

2. He is waiting for the bus.

3. They are coming home now.

4. We are looking for Jill's keys.

5. Loise is taking her son to the doctor.

6. You are studying French.

7. Edgar is stopping the car here.

8. Charles is flying to England.

9. The sun is shining.

10. I am cleaning the house.

6. Put the verbs in brackets into the Present Tense Continuous:

1. Oh ! Look ! It ____________________ (rain).

2. The children _____________________ (play) in the classroom!

3. She ______________________(sit) in front of her brother.

4. I _______________________ (go) to the supermarket with my mother.

5. My father ________________________(read) a newspaper.

7. Complete the missing parts:

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He ____ driv_____He _____ think_____He ______ sleep______

She _____ drink_____They ______speak______

8. Answer the questions using the verbs in brackets:

1. What is he doing?

(To sit) ____________________________________

2. What is he doing?

(To build) ____________________________________

3. What are they doing?

(To play) __________________________________

4. What is she doing?

(To run) ____________________________________________

5. What are they doing?

(to walk) __________________________________________

6. What is he doing?

(To cook) _____________________________________

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7. What are they doing?

(To eat) ____________________________________

8. What is he doing in the chair?

(To smoke) ____________________________________

9. What is she doing?

(To shop) ______________________________________________

10. What is it doing?

(To swim) ____________________________________________

9. Make up sentences using the given words:

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1. She/ride a horse __________________

 2. They/play basketball ______________  

      

3.  He/run _______________________      

      4.  She/swim ____________________      

      5.  He/hike _____________________      

      6.  He/ski ______________________

           7.  She/ride a bicycle _________________      

    

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10. Fill in the words from the box. Use the present continuous.

A. play - work - sit - read - play - listen to - clean - read

Debbie and her friends ___________________ in Debbie’s garden. They __________________ football. Mrs Baker _____________ a book. Mr Baker ______________________ in the garden. Nick ___________________ to a cassette. Trundle and Marmalade ___________________ on Mrs Baker's chair. Now Nick ________________________his bike. Nick: "Debbie, help me, please." But Debbie has got no time: "I _____________________a book for school. Ask your friend."

B. play - listen - ride - read - act - work - clean

Sally and her friends ______________________ in the garden. They _____________________ for a video. Mrs Snow ____________ a book. Mr Baker ___________________ in the garden. Dave ______________________ to a CD. Trundle and Marmalade _______________________ their cages. Ben‘s friend __________________________ his bike.

10. Complete the sentences with a suitable verb:

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1.Our mother is ________ soup.

2. The friends are _________ in the playground.

3. A neighbour is __________the garden.

4. Ann is ___________ a song.

5. Our teacher is __________ a map.

6. He is ____________ with me!

7. He is ____________ a car.

8. Ed is ____________the bread.

9. My dog is ____________ on the sofa.

10. The children are ____________ their books.

11. I am _____________ him at 5pm.

12. My son is ____________ weight.

13. The members are _____________on the chairs.

14. The guide is __________ the tourists not to go away.

15. The neighbour's dog is ____________ all the time!

16. Mike and Sue are ____________ tickets to the cinema.

17. The Blacks are ____________ the match!

18. The doctor said: "He is ____________ ."

19. My brother is _____________ for Paris.

20. Your sister is _____________ lunch now.

11. Complete the following sentences with the present tense form of the verbs:

1. The cat ________________ PLAY in the garden.

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2. Our teachers ___________________SIT at the school meeting.

3. The boys ______________________ PLAY football.

4. My mother _________________________ TALK to my father.

5. Our grandmother ________________________READ a magazine.

6. My friend's cat ________________________ PLAY with a ball.

7. Tom ______________________ WALK to school.

8. Ann _______________________ WORK in the kitchen.

9. Ted and Edy ___________________ LAUGH at the movie.

10. My sister ______________________PREPARE lunch.

11. The lady over there ____________________SPEAK on the phone.

12. My parents ___________________ARGUE right now.

13. The man ___________________ TAKE a dog for a walk.

14. Sue ____________________ GO to the church.

15. Bob and Tom _________________ LISTEN to the radio now.

16. The workers _________________ BUILD the station.

17. She __________________ SLEEP in her bedroom.

18. The children ________________ DRAW in their room.

19. The sun ________________ SHINE at the moment.

20.It ________________ RAIN in Chicago today.

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12. Complete the table with the correct forms.

  affirmative negative question

I I am working.you You are jumping.he He is not dreaming.she Is she sleeping?it It is snowing.we Are we singing?you You are not fighting.they Are they reading?

13. Alege varianta corecta a traducerii:

1. Noi invatam engleza acum. 

We are studying English now.

We don't study English now.

We study English now.

2. Ei se uita la televizor. 

Your teacher is watching TV.

They are watching TV.

She is watching TV.

3. Tu inoti acum? 

Are you dancing now?

Are we swimming now?

Are you swimming now?

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4. Ea danseaza cu Juan? 

Is he dancing with Juan?

Is she playing with Juan?

Is she dancing with Juan?

5. Noi cantam? 

Are we singing?

We are dancing?

Are you singing?

6. Eu nu beau bauturi gazoase .

I'm not drinking water.

I'm not drinking fizzy drinks.

You aren't drinking fizzy drinks.

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7. Va uitati la televizor? 

Are you watching TV?

Are we watching football?

Are you watching football

8. Cine citeste acolo in gradina? 

Where are you in the garden?

Who is reading there in the garden?

Who is studying there in the garden?

9. De ce asculta muzica asa de tare?

Why is she playing music so loud?

Why is she listening to music so loud?

Where is she listening to music so loud?

10. Unde se antreneaza ei?

Where are they training?

Where are they playing?

When are they training?

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14. Tradu urmatoarele propozitii:

1) You are learning English now.

2) You are not swimming now.

3) Are you sleeping?

4) I am sitting.

5) I am not standing.

6) Is he sitting or standing?

7) They are reading their books.

8) They are not watching television.

9) I am not studying to become a dentist.

10)What are you doing?

11)Why aren't you doing your homework?

12) I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.

13) I am not reading any books right now.

14) I am studying to become a doctor.

15)Are you working on any special projects at work?

16)Aren't you teaching at the university now?

17)The kids are watching TV.

18) I am sitting down, because I am tired.

19) I am not learning German, because this is an English class.

20)Who are you writing to?

21)Sally is studying really hard for her exams this week.

22) I am reading a really interesting book now.

23)How are you brushing up on your English for the trip?

24)We aren't working hard these days.

25) I am seeing my dentist on Wednesday.

26)Polly is coming for dinner tomorrow.

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27)Are you doing anything tonight?

28)We aren't going on holiday next week.

29)People are now having children later in life.

30)The company is changing its marketing approach.

15. What's Mike doing?

1    Mike / clean / the house /  

2    He / cook / an omelette / for dinner 

3    Mike / smile at / me  

4    He / run / to catch / the bus  

5    Mike / ......../ a / disco / in  

6    He / .......  

7    He / laugh at / you  

8    He / wait for / the / bus  

9    He / .... / the guitar  

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10    He /...../ water  

11    He / ........  

12    He / ....../ a / novel /  

13    Mike / think / about / his / problems  

16. Choose the RIGHT sentence:

He's not coming for dinner

He snot coming for dinner

Is your brother play in the same team?

Is your brother playing in the same team?

Luis is siting alone near the window

Luis is sitting alone near the window

Marta and I am learing English in the language school

Marta and I are learing English in the language school

I'm working in a laundry

I'am working in a laundry

We'ar studying a lot this year

We're studying a lot this year

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You are doing it right

You aren' doing it right

My boyfriend wearing a tie today

My boyfriend is wearing a tie today

17. Put the words in order to form correct questions in Present Continuous:

1. working    mother    your    now    is    ?  ______________________________2. laughing    why    you    are    me    at    ? _____________________________3. coming    lunch    they    for    are    ? ________________________________4. afternoon  doing  this  what  you   are  ?  _____________________________5. together  flying  are  you  ? ________________________________________6. making  noise  that  who  is  ?  _____________________________________

18. Which is the reason to use Present Continuous in each of these examples?

1My mum is always complaining about everything 

Actions that are happening now

Future arrangements

Habitual actions with a negative sense

2Shut up! You are always making a lot of noise 

Actions that are happening now

Future arrangements

Habitual actions with a negative sense

3 I'm meeting Oscar tomorrow at eight 

Actions that are happening now

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Future arrangements

Habitual actions with a negative sense

4We're having lunch together next weekend 

Actions that are happening now

Future arrangements

Habitual actions with a negative sense

5 I'm reading an exciting book about the roman empire 

Actions that are happening now

Future arrangements

Habitual actions with a negative sense

6Silence, ssshhh..... We are listening to the news 

Actions that are happening now

Future arrangements

Habitual actions with a negative sense

19. Fill in the verbs in brackets in their correct forms into the gaps.Example: We ________ (to go) to the cinema now.

Answer: We are going to the cinema now.

1. The children __________________ in the house. (to play)2. The cat ____________________ under the tree. (to hide)3. Andy and Joe ______________________home. (to come)4. I ____________________on the sofa. (to sit)5. The dog _______________________on the floor. (to lie)6. Robert and Mark _______________________letters. (to write)7. They __________________to the radio. (to listen)8. My mother _______________________breakfast at the moment. (to make)9. We __________________________the grass. (to cut)10. The sun __________________________. (to shine)

20. Put the verb in brackets in the correct form to make different form of the Present Continuous Tense.

1. John (read) a book now.

2. What (you do) tonight?

3. Jack and Peter (work) late today.

4. Silvia (not listen) to music.

5. Maria (not sit) next to Paul.

6. How many other students (you study) with?

7. The phone (ring).

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21. Make different sentences in the Present Continuous Tense - positive; negative; yes/no and information questions.

1  looking I'm for glasses. my

2  kind are of you book reading? What

3  is crying? Pamela Why

4  is at National studying University. Paul economics Kharkov

5  laughing? is Why everyone

6  waiting me? Are you for

7  you leaving? are When

8  the is John working in Saudi Arabia at moment.

9  working the Jennifer as you? for Is same company

10  Saturday you – birthday party do I'm a want having next come? to

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22. Make the ing form of the verbs:

  VERB ING FORM

1  hold

 2 come

 3 watch

 4 skate

 5 smile

 6 die

 7 speak

 8 run

 9 meet

 10 talk

 11 have

 12 take

 13 live

 14 sit

 15 go

 16 listen

 17 eat

 18 lie

 19 ski

 20 wear

 21 chat

 22 chew

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23. We use the Present Continuous Tense:o to talk about activities happening now.o to talk about activities happening around now, and not necessarily this very

moment.o to talk about activities happening in the near future, especially for planned

future events.

What uses of the Present Continuous Tense do these sentences have?1. I am playing football tonight. ________________________2. I can't play with you now. I am finishing my homework. ________________________3. Where are you studying? ________________________4. What are you doing these days? Working? ________________________5. Sally is taking a bath. ________________________6. What are you doing at the weekend? ________________________7. Peter and 8. Mary are going out. They met at Adam's party last week. ________________________

24. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1. The train to Glasgow _______________________(leave) from platform 8.

2. I ________________________(begin) to understand the Present Continuous now.

3. Sue ________________________(work) tonight.

4. Listen! The telephone _______________________(ring).

5. Ms. Johnson ______________________(see) a patient at 3 o'clock.

25. Make positives sentences in the Present Continuous Tense.  1  very living nice in We're a flat.

2  image. The its company to improve is hard working

3  book interesting China. I'm about very reading a

4  a having party Saturday. are on Barrons The

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5  playing badly today. team are Our

6  playing train his set. new son with is My

7  talking her someone Sheila's mobile. to on

8  Bob 12 at tomorrow I'm morning. meeting

9  week. Rome to is flying Margot next

10  that will me. I hoping you meet am

26. Fill in the gaps with the negative form of the verb in brackets.

1. My Dad (not have) his lunch now.

2. The kids (not study) tomorrow.

3. It (not rain) today.

4. I (not study) German.

5. We (not go) to Egypt on summer holiday. 27. Complete the table with the missing forms:

  affirmative negative question

I I am playing.

You You are not eating.

He He is not singing.

She She is cleaning.

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It Is it raining?

We Are you writing?

You You are not listening.

They They are laughing.

28. Make negative sentences in the Present Continuous Tense:

 

1  Anita her doing isn't homework. English

2  today! aren't Test the having We Progress

3  for coming dinner. Petersons the aren't Unfortunately,

4  working. The photocopier isn't

5  sister aren't a together. and renting her Lisa flat

6  We aren't next working Saturday.

7  going I Clive and weekends. anywhere aren't at

8  isn't phone ringing. The

9  I'm doing right now. not anything

10  is computer playing games. Nobody

29. Fill in the gaps with the interrogative form of the verb in brackets.1. What company _______________________ (you work) for?

2. What class ________________________ (they study) in?

3. Who ______________________ (John shake) hands with?

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4. What time _____________________ (your friends come)?

5. What country ________________________ (they visit) at the moment?

30. Complete the table with the correct forms.

  affirmative negative question

I I am working.

you You are jumping.

he He is not dreaming.

she Is she sleeping?

it It is snowing.

we Are we singing?

you You are not fighting.

they Are they reading?

31. Use the words below to make sentences in present continuous.

1. I / to read a book -

2. it / to rain -

3. he / to repair his bike -

4. they / to watch a film -

5. the cat /to sleep on the chair -

6. Jane and Emily / to do their homework -

7. Bill / to wait at the bus stop -

8. we / to listen to the radio -

9. the children / to play a game -

10. Laura / to walk the dog -

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32. Transform the sentences below into negative sentences.

1. I am watching TV. -

2. I am talking. -

3. They are drawing. -

4. He is opening the window. -

5. Angela is cleaning the bathroom. -

6. We are helping in the garden. -

7. You are singing. -

8. It is raining. -

9. She is joking. -

10. I am tidying up my room. -

33. Make information question ("Wh" questions) in the Present Continuous Tense.

  1  are time What friends coming? your

2  What vocation? are country visiting you on

3  speaking Who you to? are

4  tonight? you Where are staying

5  you are hell the doing? What

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6  Moscow? train When is arriving your in

7  with? Who's wife my dancing

8  they car are What buying?

9  many How people coming? are

10  What are drinking? you

34. Write questions with the words below.

1. Peter / to go / to the cinema -

2. they / to play / a game -

3. she / to listen /to the radio -

4. I / to dream -

5. they / to pack / their bags -

6. you / to do / the washing-up -

7. we / to talk / too fast -

8. they / to clean / the windows -

9. she / to watch / the news -

10. you / to pull / my leg -

35. Ask for the information in the bold part of the sentence.

1. Ashley is going to a restaurant. -

2. Gareth is reading the paper. -

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3. Stacey is playing in the garden. -

4. She is wearing a red dress. -

5. Britney is doing her homework. -

6. Mandy is leaving at nine. -

7. Joe is repairing his bike. -

8. Amanda is going out with Dan. -

9. They are meeting at two o'clock. -

10. Sandy is looking for Phil. -

36. Write down the ing form of the following words. Mind the exceptions in spelling.

1. make - ______________________

2. have - ______________________

3. sit - ________________________

4. run - _______________________

5. lie - ________________________

6. stop - ________________________

7. model - _______________________

8. get - __________________________

9. travel - ________________________

10. tie - ___________________________

37. Use the words below to write sentences in present continuous.

1. He / to get / pretty nervous -

2. She / to write / a letter -

3. We / not / to work -

4. They / to argue -

5. Look! / The dog / to pee / on the carpet -

6. I / to meet / my friends tonight -

7. He / to travel / a lot -

8. The kids / to play / in the garden -

9. She / to enter / the house -

10. They / to eat / still -

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38. Write down the long forms.

1. I'm climbing. - I am climbing .

2. You're studying. - ___________________

3. He's falling. - ______________________

4. We're having fun. - ____________________

5. They're shopping. - ____________________

6. He's not speaking. - ____________________

7. I'm not lying. - _______________________

8. They're not playing. - ____________________

9. She isn't painting. - _____________________

10. You aren't watching TV. - __________________

39. Write down the short forms.

1. I am reading. - I’m reading .

2. You are talking. - _______________________

3. He is running. - _________________________

4. We are jumping. - _______________________

5. They are writing. - ________________________

6. It is raining. - _________________________

7. I am not joking. - _______________________

8. They are not working. - _____________________

9. She is not singing. - _______________________

10. You are not eating. - ________________________

40. Put the verbs into the correct form (present continuous). Use the grammatically correct form, e.g. is doing or 's doing, but not the forms you'd usually find in lyrics ('s doin oder 's doin').

1. PINK - Get The Party Started: Everybody (to wait) for me to arrive.

2. AVRIL LAVIGNE - Complicated: I like you the way you are when we (to drive) in your car.

3. J'LO - Jenny From The Block: I know where I (go) and I know where I'm from.

4. BLUE (feat. ELTON JOHN) - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word: And it (get) more and more absurd.

5. BLUE - U Make Me Wanna: That's why I'm here, I (write) this song.

6. BUSTED - What I Go To School For: I guess that's why my marks (get) so high.

7. JC CHASEZ - Blowing Me Up: There's something about you baby. It (take) me over.

8. ROBBIE WILLIAMS - Feel: Before I fall in love, I (prepare) to leave her.

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9. EMINEM: Lose Yourself: He opens his mouth, but the words won't come out. He (choke)

. How everybody (joke) now.

10. NICK CARTER - I Got You: They say I (look) for something that can't be found.

41. We use present continuous for actions taking place at the moment of speaking (now). Signal words like now, at the moment are often used to emphasise that the action is taking place at the moment of speaking. Signal words are not really necessary, however, as this is already expressed by the tense itself.

He is playing football.

The people in the pictures are in the middle of an action. Answer the questions in complete sentences using the words in brackets in the correct form.

11. What is he doing? (to play golf)

2.

23. What is he doing? (to watch TV)

4.

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35. What is she doing? (to talk on the phone)

6.

47. What is he doing? (to read a book)

8.

59. What are they doing? (to play American football)

10.

611. What is he doing? (to cry)

12.

713. What is she doing? (to run)

14.

815. What are they doing? (to sit in a meeting)

16.

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917. What is he doing? (to cycle)

18.

10 o What is she doing? (to climb up the stairs)

11.

42. We use present continuous for arrangements for the near future. In the example you can see that the tickets are already bought. So we are talking about an arrangement for the near future. To make clear that the action is not going on now, we usually use signal words like tonight, tomorrow, next Friday, at noon.

I'm going to the theatre tonight.

On the right you see Kim's diary for the next week. Answer the questions.

11. What is Kim doing on Monday evening? (to meet Tom)

22. What is she doing on Tuesday afternoon? (look after Carol's kids)

33. What is she doing on Tuesday evening? (play badminton)

44. What is she doing on Wednesday morning? (see the dentist)

55. What is she doing on Wednesday evening? (work late)

6.

67. What is she doing on Thursday afternoon? (pick up Jen from the airport)

78. What is she doing on Friday evening? (go to a concert)

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9.

810. What is she doing on Saturday morning? (go on a sight-seeing tour with Jen)

11.

912. What is she doing on Saturday evening? (have a party)

13.

1014. What is she doing on Sunday morning? (take Jen to the airport)

43. We use present continuous for actions taking place only for a limited period of time. Here we are talking about a time limit. Jim does not usually work in the firm, he is still at school and wants to earn some extra money during his holidays. To make clear that there is a time limit, we usually use signal words, e.g. this week/month/year.

Jim is helping in his brother's firm this week.

The following actions are not permanent, but limited in time. Write sentences in the present progressive.

1. John / to live / in London –

2. Stacey / to help / in the pub this week –

3. Joey / to take / a computer course this month –

4. Tony / to stay / with a friend at the moment –

5. I / to work / this weekend –

6. Aaron / to go by bus / this week –

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7. Ben / to make / his own sandwiches this week –

8. I / to keep / to a strict diet this month –

9. Kelly / not / to work / this week –

10. ? / to tour / Robbie Williams / Britain / this summer -

44. We use present continuous for actions taking place around now (but not at the moment of speaking). This action takes place around now and only for a limited period of time, but not at the moment of speaking. We don't have to use signal words here, but we often find signal words in such sentences, e.g. now, at the moment.

I'm studying for my exams.

For Judy, everything is topsy-turvy right now: there's a lot to do for school and even her private life is very busy at the moment.

Write sentences in the present progressive, expressing what Judy is doing now (but not at the moment of speaking).

1 What / you / to do / these days What are you doing these days?

2 I / to lead / a very busy life right now

3 I / to cram up / for a maths test at the moment

4 I / also / to revise / for my biology exams

5 I / to write / an essay for my English course

6 I / to prepare / a presentation for history

7 So I / to read / a lot about American history now

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8 At home / we / to decorate / my room

9 I / to take / driving lessons

10 And I / to date / a real cutie named Justin

45. We use present continuous for development, changing situations. The sentence describes a development from one situation to another. Signal words are not that common here, only sometimes the change of situation is emphasized by using for example more and more.

The population of China is rising very fast.

Right now (March 2003), British papers are suffering from a changing situation. They are losing readers to other media such as TV or internet.

Put the verbs into the correct form (present progressive). Use the long form as this is more typical for formal articles.

11. Newspapers (to lose) readers.

22. Even the Daily Mail (to lose) readers now for the first time in ten years.

33. Young people (just not / to buy) newspapers the way their parents did.

44. This generation (to grow up) with no particular brand loyalty to any

newspaper.

55. Young Britons (to get) their news either online, or from television or

radio.

66. Sensing the trend, advertisers (to shift) to other media to get their

messages across.

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77. Some businesses, such as fashion, (to advertise / still) , but others are

not.

88. Now the Sun (to try) to recapture younger readers.

99. The Mirror (to hunt / now) readers in the overcrowded middle

ground.

1015. Some papers (to think) of launching new titles to survive in this

contracting market.

46. Put the verbs into the correct form (present continuous):

1. I (to starve) I’m starving .

2. I can tell when you (to lie) ________________________

3. I (to joke / only) ________________________

4. She (to go out) _________________________with a real cutie.

5. (you / to try) ________________________to pull my leg?

6. You (not / to fool) _________________________anyone.

7. What (to go on) __________________________here?

8. I (look forward) _________________________to seeing you again.

9. What (you / to do) _________________________?

10. (I / to dream) ________________________?

47. Exercise on Signal Words.

1. Which of the words is a signal word for actions taking place at the moment of speaking?

now never sometimes 

2. Which of the words is a signal word for actions taking place at the moment of speaking?

yesterday tomorrow at the moment 

3. Which of the words is a signal word for actions taking place at the moment of speaking?

Listen! last night next week 

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4. Which of the words is not a signal word for actions taking place at the moment of speaking?

right now just now every day 

5. Which of the words is not a signal word for actions taking place at the moment of speaking?

Listen! usually Look! 

6. Which of the words can be a signal word for an arrangement for the near future?

yesterday in the afternoon last week 

7. Which of the words can be a signal word for an arrangement for the near future?

tomorrow every week usually 

8. Which of the words can be a signal word for an arrangement for the near future?

last Sunday every Sunday next Sunday 

9. Which of the words cannot be a signal word for an arrangement for the near future?

next week last week next Friday 

10. Which of the words cannot be a signal word for an arrangement for the near future?

never at noon in the morning

48. Choose the correct signal word.

1 1. I am talking on the phone …………………………………... yesterdayright nownever

2 2. What are you doing………………………………………….? last nightin ten yearsright now

3 3. I'm not doing anything ………………………………………... just nowyesterdaytwo minutes ago

4 4. ……………………………. The sun is rising. Listen!Look!yesterday

5 5. We're having a party ………………………………………………. last weekon Saturdaymaybe

6 6. Gwen is going to the doctor ……………………………………….. on Monday morningusuallyseldom

7 7. Josh is going to the cinema …………………………………………... probablyin a couple of yearstonight

8 8. Jane is looking after Tom's dog ………………………………………. every Thursdaythis weeklast week

9 9. Francis is cycling to work ……………………………………………... this monthevery dayevery Monday

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1016. Alex is living in Australia ……………………………………………... since 1998in 2015this year

49. Choose the correct form of the verb depending on whether in this meaning it is an action or a state verb. If both the Present Continuous and the Present Simple tenses are possible, use the Present Continuous tense.

1.     a) Why are you smelling the soup?

    b) Why do you smell the soup?

2.     a) She was feeling his arm on her shoulder.

    b) She felt his arm on her shoulder.

3.     a) Are you having an English dictionary?

    b) Do you have an English dictionary?

4.     a) What are you thinking about?

    b) What do you think about?

5.     a) I am feeling much better today.

    b) I feel much better today.

6.     a) What are you looking at?

    b) What do you look at?

7.     a) I am not hearing you.

    b) I can't hear you.

8.     a) What are you thinking of me?

    b) What do you think of me?

9.     a) I am feeling we should go home now.

    b) I feel we should go home now.

10.     a) This bread is tasting funny.

    b) This bread tastes funny.

50. Fill in the blanks putting the verb in the present continuous form.

1. Please be quiet. I ............................ to concentrate (try) 2. Look! It ............................. (snow)3. Why ............................. at me like that? (you/look) 4. You ............................. a lot of noise. Can you be a bit quieter? (make)5. Excuse me, I .............................. for a phone box. Is there one near here? (look)6. (In the cinema) It's a good film, isn't it? ......................................... it? (you/enjoy)7. Listen... Can you hear the people next door? ..................…........ at each other again. (they/shout)8. Why .................................... your coat today? It's very warm. (you/wear)9. I .................................. this week. I'm on holiday. (not/work)10. I want to lose weight. I ............................ anything today. (not/eat)

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