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Think You Can Master the Present Continuous Tense? Take the Quiz!

Use real examples of simple present tense and our present tense checker to spot mistakes and level up your grammar skills!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of notebook pencil speech bubbles on golden yellow background for present continuous tense quiz

Think You Know Present Continuous Tense? Put your english grammar skills to the test with our interactive english grammar quiz! In just a few minutes, you'll tackle real-world examples of simple present tense, compare past tense vs present tense, and master when to use ongoing forms. Acting as your personal present tense checker, this free quiz delivers instant feedback and tips to help you level up. Curious how you measure up? You can jump into the present continuous test or brush up further with a present simple and continuous practice . Ready for the challenge? Dive in now and see how well you really know your tenses!

What is the present continuous form of "She (to read) a book."?
She reads a book.
She is reading a book.
She reading a book.
Is she reading a book?
The present continuous is formed with the auxiliary verb 'to be' plus the -ing form of the main verb. Here 'she' takes 'is' and 'read' becomes 'reading', giving 'She is reading a book.' More info
Choose the negative form of "They are playing football."
They not are playing football.
They aren't playing football.
They don't playing football.
They are no playing football.
Negative present continuous is formed by adding 'not' after the auxiliary verb. 'They are playing football' becomes 'They are not playing football' or contracted as 'They aren't playing football.' More info
Which sentence is a question in the present continuous tense?
Are you studying English?
You are studying English?
Do you study English?
You study English?
Questions in the present continuous are formed by inverting the subject and the auxiliary 'to be'. 'You are studying English' becomes 'Are you studying English?' More info
Identify the sentence that uses present continuous to describe a future arrangement:
I am meeting him tomorrow.
I meet him tomorrow.
I will meet him tomorrow.
I met him tomorrow.
To talk about fixed future arrangements, we can use the present continuous. 'I am meeting him tomorrow' indicates a scheduled plan. More info
Which time expression is commonly used with the present continuous tense?
Yesterday
Every day
Now
In 1999
The present continuous often uses time expressions like 'now', 'at the moment', or 'currently' to indicate actions happening at the present time. It does not pair with 'every day' or 'yesterday.' More info
Fill in: "He _____ (to cook) dinner right now."
is cook dinner
is cooking dinner
cooking dinner
cooks dinner
The correct form is the auxiliary 'is' plus 'cooking'. 'He is cooking dinner right now' shows an action in progress. More info
Which one is incorrect use of the present continuous?
She's singing a song.
They are watching TV.
I am understanding this.
We are going to the park.
Stative verbs, which describe states rather than actions, are generally not used in continuous forms. 'Understand' is a stative verb, so 'I am understanding this' is incorrect. More info
Choose the correct spelling: "She _____ (to lie) on the beach."
is lies
is lying
is lieing
is lieingg
The correct spelling drops the final 'e' before adding 'ing', so 'lie' becomes 'lying'. 'Is lying' is the correct continuous form. More info
Why is the present continuous used in "He's always complaining about his job."?
It expresses a fixed plan
It indicates a habit with an emotional tone
It describes a permanent situation
It refers to a scheduled future event
When 'always' is used with the present continuous, it often expresses annoyance or criticism of a habitual action. Here, the sentence conveys irritation at the constant complaining. More info
Which sentence correctly uses present continuous for a temporary situation?
She is living with her parents while searching for a new apartment.
She lives with her parents while searching for a new apartment.
She has lived with her parents while searching for a new apartment.
She will live with her parents while searching for a new apartment.
The present continuous indicates an action that is temporary or in progress. 'Is living' signals that this arrangement is only for a short period. More info
Fill in the blank: "I _____ this weekend."
am resting
rest
rested
will rest
The present continuous can indicate planned action in the near future. 'I am resting this weekend' reflects a scheduled plan. More info
Which is the correct spelling for the -ing form of 'study'?
is studing
is studying
is studyng
is studyying
When the verb ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern and the stress is not on the last syllable, you do not double the final consonant. 'Study' becomes 'studying'. More info
Which sentence uses an adverb modifying the present continuous correctly?
She is quickly runs.
She is currently reviewing the report.
She currently reviews the report.
She currently is reviewing the report.
Adverbs like 'currently' should precede the main verb in present continuous, immediately after the auxiliary 'be'. More info
Which sentence uses the present continuous to talk about future plans?
I'm meeting Sarah at 6 PM tomorrow.
I will meet Sarah at 6 PM tomorrow.
I meet Sarah at 6 PM tomorrow.
I'm meet Sarah at 6 PM tomorrow.
Present continuous with future time expressions indicates a definite plan or arrangement. More info
Choose the correct question tag: 'She is working late, ___?'
isn't she
doesn't she
isn't it
doesn't it
With present continuous, the tag uses the auxiliary 'be' in the negative form, matching the subject and tense: 'isn't she'. More info
Fill in: 'What _____ they _____ at the moment?'
are / doing
do / do
are / do
will / be doing
Interrogative present continuous is formed by 'be' + subject + verb-ing. 'What are they doing at the moment?' is correct. More info
Which sentence contrasts a permanent situation with a temporary one using the correct tenses?
I live in Madrid, but I'm staying with my parents this week.
I am living in Madrid, but I stay with my parents this week.
I live in Madrid, but I stay with my parents this week.
I am living in Madrid, but I stayed with my parents this week.
The simple present 'live' indicates a permanent situation, while the present continuous 'I'm staying' shows a temporary arrangement. More info
Which stative verb is not normally used in the present continuous?
know
running
cooking
watching
'Know' is a stative verb describing a state and is not normally used in continuous forms. Actions like running, cooking, and watching are dynamic and fit the continuous. More info
Fill in: 'He ____ in the park.' (to run)
is runing
is running
is runging
is runinging
When a one-syllable verb ends in consonant–vowel–consonant, double the final consonant before adding -ing. 'Run' becomes 'running'. More info
Which sentence correctly uses the present continuous to talk about a planned future event?
I am flying to New York next Monday.
I fly to New York next Monday.
I will fly to New York next Monday.
I am going to fly to New York next Monday.
Present continuous with a future time expression is used for definite plans or arrangements. More info
Which sentence uses the present continuous incorrectly?
She is being rude right now.
They are knowing the answer.
He's sleeping at the moment.
We're waiting for the bus.
'Know' is a stative verb and is not normally used in continuous forms. The other sentences correctly show ongoing actions. More info
Listen! The birds ____.
sing
are singing
are sing
is singing
To describe an action happening at this moment, we use the present continuous: 'are singing' matches the plural subject 'birds'. More info
My teacher ____ a lecture at 3 PM tomorrow.
delivers
is delivering
has delivered
will be delivering
Present continuous with a future time expression indicates a scheduled event. 'Is delivering' fits here. More info
Which sentence best describes an action in progress at this moment?
I am reading a fascinating book.
I read a fascinating book.
I have read a fascinating book.
I will read a fascinating book.
'Am reading' is present continuous and shows an action occurring right now. More info
The building ____ (to renovate) for months.
is renovated
has been renovating
is being renovated
was renovating
The passive present continuous is formed with 'is being' plus the past participle. 'Is being renovated' shows an ongoing action affecting the object. More info
Which sentence correctly uses 'being' in the present continuous?
He is being honest with you right now.
He is honest with you right now.
He being honest with you right now.
He is to being honest with you right now.
'Being' can follow 'be' as an auxiliary to indicate temporary behavior or state. 'He is being honest' means his honesty is a current, possibly unusual, behavior. More info
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Present Continuous Tense Usage -

    Master how to form and apply the present continuous tense to accurately describe ongoing actions and events.

  2. Identify Examples of Simple Present Tense -

    Spot and explain instances of simple present tense within sentences to strengthen your grammatical foundation.

  3. Differentiate Past Tense vs Present Tense -

    Distinguish between past tense and present tense structures to ensure you choose the correct form for each context.

  4. Apply Present Continuous Tense in Context -

    Engage with varied quiz scenarios to practice and reinforce your present continuous tense skills.

  5. Utilize the Present Tense Checker -

    Use instant feedback from the English grammar quiz to evaluate and refine your tense accuracy effectively.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Structure of Present Continuous Tense -

    Subject + am/is/are + verb+ing is the backbone of present continuous tense, as explained by Cambridge University Press. A handy mnemonic is "A-B-C-ing" (Am/Be + ‑ing) to remember the auxiliary 'be' and the ‑ing ending. This structure ensures clarity when describing ongoing actions.

  2. Actions Happening Now -

    Use the present continuous tense to depict actions happening at the moment, like "She is reading a book." Mastering this concept in your English grammar quiz will elevate your communication fluency.

  3. Simple Present vs Present Continuous -

    Distinguishing simple present and present continuous tense is vital; compare examples of simple present tense such as "He walks to school" with "He is walking to school." Exploring past tense vs present tense contrasts can also sharpen your understanding of time frames. This comparative approach is highlighted by research from the University of Michigan Language Resource Center.

  4. Signal Words for ‑ing Form -

    Signal words like "now," "at the moment," and "currently" often cue present continuous constructions. Utilizing these time expressions, as recommended by the Purdue OWL, helps you decide when to apply am/is/are + verb+ing.

  5. Common Pitfalls and Practice -

    Practice regularly to avoid common pitfalls such as omitting the '-ing' ending or confusing auxiliary verbs. Try online exercises and a present tense checker tool on reputable sites like the British Council. Consistent drills will build your confidence and accuracy when using the present continuous tense.

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