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Present Continuous Worksheet

Free printable exercises: fill-in-the-blank, true/false and sentence writing. Includes answer key.

Level: A1–A2 3 Exercises Answer Key Included A4 Format

📖 Quick Grammar Reference: Present Continuous

FormSubjectExample
Affirmative (+)II am working right now.
Affirmative (+)He / She / ItShe is reading a book.
Affirmative (+)You / We / TheyThey are watching TV.
Negative (−)II am not sleeping.
Negative (−)He / She / ItHe isn’t listening.
Question (?)He / She / ItIs she studying now?

Exercise 1 — Fill in the Blank (Put the verb in brackets into the present continuous.)

  1. Look! It (rain) outside.
  2. She (not / listen) to me right now.
  3. you (write) an email at the moment?
  4. We (have) dinner with friends tonight at 8pm.
  5. The children (play) in the garden right now.
  6. I (not / work) today — it’s my day off.
  7. he (cook) dinner this evening?
  8. My sister (study) for her exams this week.
  9. They (not / travel) to Spain this year.
  10. Right now, I (sit) at my desk and (do) this worksheet.

Exercise 2 — True or False (Read each statement about present continuous rules and circle T (True) or F (False).)

  • We form the present continuous with am/is/are + verb-ing.
    TF
  • We use the present continuous to describe permanent facts, like “Water boils at 100°C.”
    TF
  • Stative verbs like know and want are not usually used in the continuous form.
    TF
  • The present continuous can describe a fixed arrangement in the near future.
    TF
  • Verbs ending in a single vowel and consonant, like run, double the final consonant before -ing.
    TF

Print version: write T or F on the line next to each statement.

Exercise 3 — Write Your Own Sentences (Imagine you are looking out of a busy café window. Write 5 sentences about what people are doing right now.)

  • What is someone wearing?
  • What is someone eating or drinking?
  • What is happening on the street outside?
  • What are two people doing together?
  • What are you doing right now, at this exact moment?
📋 Show Answer Key

Exercise 1

  1. is raining
  2. isn’t listening
  3. Are … writing
  4. are having
  5. are playing
  6. am not working
  7. Is … cooking
  8. is studying
  9. aren’t travelling
  10. am sitting / am doing

Exercise 2

  1. True
  2. False — permanent facts use the present simple
  3. True
  4. True — e.g. “We’re meeting at 6pm tomorrow.”
  5. True — run → running

Exercise 3

Open answers. Check that students use: am/is/are + verb-ing, and describe actions currently in progress (not habits or permanent facts).

🎮

Practice Online: Drag and Drop

Build present continuous sentences by dragging words into place, with instant feedback.

Try the exercise →

Present Continuous Worksheet — FAQ

What does this present continuous worksheet cover?
This worksheet covers the present continuous (am/is/are + verb-ing), used for actions happening right now and fixed arrangements in the near future. It includes fill-in-the-blank, true/false and sentence-writing exercises.
What level is this present continuous worksheet?
This worksheet is designed for A1 (Beginner) to A2 (Elementary) learners who are learning to describe actions happening at the moment of speaking.
How do I form the present continuous?
Use am/is/are + the verb with -ing: I am working, she is reading, they are studying. Most verbs simply add -ing, but verbs ending in a single vowel + consonant double the consonant (run → running), and verbs ending in -e drop the -e (write → writing).
When do we use the present continuous?
We use the present continuous for actions happening at the moment of speaking (She is cooking dinner now), temporary situations (I'm staying with my sister this week), and fixed arrangements in the near future (We're meeting at 6pm tomorrow).
Are there verbs we don't usually use in the present continuous?
Yes. Stative verbs that describe states rather than actions — such as know, believe, want, love, need, and understand — are not usually used in the continuous form. We say ‘I know the answer’, not ‘I am knowing the answer’.
Can I save this worksheet as a PDF?
Yes. Click the orange ‘Print / Save as PDF’ button at the top of the page. In your browser’s print dialogue, select ‘Save as PDF’ as the destination. The worksheet is formatted for A4 paper.
Is the answer key included?
Yes. Scroll to the bottom of the worksheet to find the collapsible answer key. Click ‘Show Answer Key’ to reveal all answers. If you want to print the answers too, open the key before clicking Print.
What online exercise goes with this worksheet?
The related online exercise is Drag and Drop at lexfizz.com/exercises/drag-and-drop/ — a hands-on way to build present continuous sentences with instant feedback.
What is the difference between present continuous and present simple?
Present simple describes habits, routines and permanent facts (I work in a school), while present continuous describes actions in progress right now or temporary situations (I am working from home this week).
How long does this worksheet take to complete?
The three exercises take approximately 20 minutes for most A1–A2 learners. Allow extra time for the writing task in Exercise 3 if students need help describing a picture.