2. What do we already know about verbs?
◦ Verbs show action
◦ A verb is something you can DO
Here are some examples of verbs:
yell take share
catch clean whisper
jump prepare spin
3. Chances are… you would say SpongeBob and Patrick are catching jellyfish.
4. The present continuous tense is also known as the
present progressive tense.
When using a verb, we use the present continuous
tense to show:
1. An action happening right now.
2. An action that is happening regularly but isn't finished. It
is a longer action that is in progress.
3. An action that is happening in a period of time around now.
It is an action that will probably take place in the near
future.
5. Examples: meow
◦ 1. The cat is meowing.
◦ 2. Brenda is riding her bike.
◦ 3. The girl is jumping rope.
ruff ruff
◦ 4. The dog is barking.
6. Examples:
◦ 1. I am planning to graduate.
◦ 2. My sister is writing a novel.
◦ 3. I am studying to become a lawyer.
◦ 4. I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
7. Examples:
◦ 1. She is coming over for dinner.
◦ 2. I am going to a party tonight.
◦ 3. He is visiting his parents next weekend.
◦ 4. I am meeting some friends after school.
8. Verbs in the present continuous tense end in –ing.
Sentence Structure:
subject | be verb in the present tense | (negation)
main verb + ing | object /complement
◦ Example: Heather | is | giving | a presentation in the class
now.
9. I like to have hot chocolate in the winter.
We are going to the movies tonight.
Do you believe we will get that much snow?
He will not listen to his friends.
The mechanic is fixing my car.
She is studying for her big test.
They are rehearsing their lines for the play.
You need to do your chores.
10. Fill in the spaces with the correct form of the verb in present continuous tense.
Example: I (play) am playing the piano now.
Example: You / We / they (play) are playing the piano now.
Example: He / She / It (play) is playing the piano now.
1. I (play) _______ _______ the piano now.
2. You (play) _______ _______ the guitar now.
3. We (play) _______ _______ violins now.
4. They (play) _______ _______ harps now.
5. He (play) _______ _______ the trumpet now.
6. She (play) _______ _______ the flute now.
***Students take turns coming up and completing the sentences. Teacher provides immediate feedback.
http://englishforeveryone.org/PDFs/Present_Tense_Exercise_15.pdf
11. Complete each sentence with one of the verbs in the present continuous tense. Be careful! Sometimes you
may need a question or a negative sentence. Compare your answers with a partner.
visit work do get go study try exercise
1. Bob's busy right now. He ________________ for the big test at the
moment.
2. There's an important presentation next Monday. I ________________
almost every night until 11:00 to get it done on time. I'm tired!
3. I _______________ my brother for a few days. I'll be in town until
Wednesday.
4. What ________ you ____________ right now? Do you want to catch a
movie?
5. My doctor says that I need to lose weight, so I _______________ these
days.
6. At the moment, a lot of people are worried about the price of gas. It
________________ up and up.
7. Maria ________________ to save money these days because she needs to
buy a new car. Her old one breaks down almost every month!
8. Can you answer the phone? I ________________ ready for tonight's book
club.
12. Choose one of the following pictures. Write a
paragraph describing what is happening in the picture.
Be sure to include at least 5 sentences with the
present continuous tense. Feel free to use your
imagination, but definitely add details to make it
interesting!
