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Level: A2-B1

Progressive (Continuous) Tenses — Practice

The progressive tenses show an action in progress at a certain time — present, past, or future. Form: be + -ing. Classify each sentence. 29 click-to-hear ESL examples.

📝 Verb Tenses unit · lesson 5 of 10 ⏱ about 7 minutes 🔊 every example has audio

Builds on Simple Tenses Next in unit Perfect Tenses →

  • Present progressive — happening right now / around now (also with "always" for annoying habits)
  • She is playing tennis right now. – Present progressive
  • I am studying for the test. – Present progressive
  • The baby is sleeping. – Present progressive
  • It is raining heavily. – Present progressive
  • They are talking on the phone. – Present progressive
  • This week we are learning Spanish. – Present progressive
  • He is always complaining about the weather. – Present progressive
  • Look! The cat is chasing the bird. – Present progressive
  • I am working on a new project. – Present progressive
  • Past progressive — in progress at a past time
  • She was playing tennis at 6pm yesterday. – Past progressive
  • I was reading when you called. – Past progressive
  • It was raining when the accident happened. – Past progressive
  • They were talking while I was studying. – Past progressive
  • The kids were playing all morning. – Past progressive
  • He was working when the power went out. – Past progressive
  • I was cooking dinner when she arrived. – Past progressive
  • We were watching TV at 8pm last night. – Past progressive
  • Future progressive — in progress at a future time
  • She will be playing tennis at 6pm tomorrow. – Future progressive
  • I will be flying to New York at this time tomorrow. – Future progressive
  • He will be working when we arrive. – Future progressive
  • They will be studying all night. – Future progressive
  • While you are sleeping, I will be studying. – Future progressive
  • By this time tomorrow, we will be driving to Spain. – Future progressive
  • Mixed practice — same verb, three times
  • She is reading right now. – Present progressive
  • She was reading when I called. – Past progressive
  • She will be reading when I arrive. – Future progressive
  • They are cooking dinner now. – Present progressive
  • They were cooking at 6pm. – Past progressive
  • They will be cooking at 6pm tomorrow. – Future progressive