Progressive Verb Tenses Worksheet (Download Free PDF)

Are you sometimes unsure whether to say “I eat” or “I am eating”? Do you struggle to explain what someone was doing at a specific time?  Then you’ve come to the right place which is the progressive verb tenses worksheet!  Mastering progressive verb tenses is crucial for expressing actions in progress, adding nuance and clarity to your English. These tenses, also known as continuous tenses, paint a picture of an action unfolding over time, unlike simple tenses that describe completed actions or habits.  Getting them right is key to clear communication, whether you’re writing an email, telling a story, or just chatting with friends.

In this blog, you will find out what are progressive verb tenses, the three types of tenses along with several exercises which will help you better your understanding of this topic. 

Read more blogs on Tenses here!

Progressive Verb Tenses Worksheet

In this progressive verb tenses worksheet, we will explore different types of questions to help you improve your knowledge of Tenses in English Grammar.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the progressive verb tense (present progressive, past progressive, or future progressive).

1. Right now, I ______ (listen) to music.
2. Yesterday at 3 PM, she ______ (work) on her computer.
3. Next week, they ______ (travel) to Spain.
4. While he ______ (cook) dinner, the phone rang.
5. We ______ (study) English for five years now.

Answers:

1. Am listening
2. Was working 
3. Will be travelling
4. Was cooking 
5. Have been studying 

Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation

Instructions: Rewrite the sentences using the progressive verb tense indicated in parentheses.

1. She reads a book. (Present Progressive)
2. They played soccer. (Past Progressive)
3. I will eat dinner. (Future Progressive)
4. He walked to the store when it started to rain. (Past Progressive – two actions)
5. We are learning Spanish. (Present Perfect Progressive – emphasis on duration)

Answers:

1. She is reading a book.
2. They were playing soccer.
3. I will be eating dinner.
4. He was walking to the store when it started to rain.
5. We have been learning Spanish.

Exercise 3: Error Correction

Instructions: Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.

1. I am go to the park.
2. She was eat lunch when the doorbell rang.
3. They will be study for the exam tomorrow.
4. He is always talk during class.
5. We are know the answer.

Answers:

1. am going to the park.
2. She was eating lunch when the doorbell rang.
3. They will be studying for the exam tomorrow.
4. He is always talking during class. (or, for a more habitual complaint, He always talks during class.)
5. We know the answer. (Stative verb “know” – no progressive form)

Exercise 4: Choose the Correct Tense

Instructions: Choose the correct verb tense (simple or progressive) for each sentence.

1. I (walk/am walking) to school every day.
2. Yesterday, she (saw/was seeing) a movie.
3. They (will travel/will be traveling) to Europe next summer.
4. He (works/is working) at a bank.
5. We (have lived/have been living) here for ten years.

Answers:

1. Walk
2. Saw (or was seeing – depending on the nuance)
3. Will be travelling
4. Works (or is working – depending on the nuance)
5. Have been living (or have lived – depending on the nuance)

Exercise 5: Story Completion

Instructions: Complete the story using the correct progressive verb tenses.

The sun ______ (shine) brightly as I ______ (walk) to work this morning.  Suddenly, I ______ (hear) a loud noise.  I ______ (look) around and ______ (see) a car crash.  Two people ______ (stand) by the side of the road, and one of them ______ (talk) on the phone.  I ______ (run) over to offer my help.

Answers:

The sun was shining brightly as I was walking to work this morning. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise. I looked around and saw a car crash. Two people were standing by the side of the road, and one of them was talking on the phone. I ran over to offer my help. 

Also Read: Tenses Rules in English

Download Progressive Verb Tenses Worksheet PDF

Take a look at this progressive verb tenses worksheet which we have prepared with some of the latest exercises. You can check your answers which we have provided at the end. You can easily save and download this worksheet for future reference.

Download the PDF from below:

Also Read: Tenses Cheat Sheet

What are Progressive Verb Tenses?

To solve the progressive verb tenses worksheet, it is essential that you know what are these tenses. Check out the definition below:

Progressive verb tenses, also known as continuous tenses are known for describing actions which are in progress or ongoing. They emphasise the duration of an action rather than its completion. When working with them, one should think of them as painting a picture of an action happening over some time. 

Progressive verb tenses don’t usually describe actions that have already finished. Progressive verb tenses are formed by combining a form of the verb “be” (am, is, are, was, were, will be) with the present participle of the main verb (the “-ing” form).

There are three categories of Continuous Teneses: Present progressive, Past progressive and Future progressive. 

Must Read: What are Progressive Verb Tenses?

Benefits of Mastering Progressive Verb Tenses

You can check your knowledge about continuous verb tenses with the progressive verb tenses worksheet. Mastering these tenses offers a range of benefits that can significantly enhance your English communication skills. Here are some key advantages:

1. Express Actions in Progress: Progressive tenses allow you to precisely describe actions that are ongoing or in progress, providing a more accurate representation of events. They help you convey the duration of an action, adding depth and detail to your descriptions.

2. Improve Fluency and Naturalness: Native speakers frequently use progressive tenses in everyday conversations. Mastering them will make your speech sound more natural and fluent. When you can use progressive tenses with ease, you can express yourself more effortlessly and confidently.

3. Enhance Writing Skills: Using progressive tenses correctly will make your writing more sophisticated and engaging. They are essential for writing vivid descriptions and creating a sense of action in your writing.

4. Avoid Misunderstandings: Progressive tenses help to avoid ambiguity and ensure that your message is understood correctly. They can help to distinguish between completed actions and actions that are still in progress, preventing confusion for the listener or reader.

Also Read: Tenses Tests

Related Topics to Progressive Verb Tenses You Must Master

Mastering progressive verb tenses is a great step, but understanding how they interact with other grammar concepts will truly elevate your English skills. Here are some related topics you should focus on:

Topics	What to Study?
Simple vs. Progressive Tenses	Focus on the core meanings of each simple tense (habitual actions, facts, completed actions) and contrast them with the progressive tenses (actions in progress, temporary situations, ongoing actions).  Practice distinguishing between them in sentences and texts.
Perfect Tenses	Learn the structure and usage of each perfect tense. Then, explore how they combine with the progressive aspect to form perfect progressive tenses (present perfect progressive, past perfect progressive, future perfect progressive). These are used to emphasise the duration of an action leading up to a specific time.
Stative Verbs	Learn the common categories of stative verbs (verbs of perception, mental states, possession, etc.). Practice identifying them in sentences and avoid using them in progressive tenses.
Adverbs of Frequency	Understand how adverbs of frequency interact with different tenses. For example, “He always plays football” (simple present – habitual action) vs. “He is always playing football” (present progressive – complaining about a repeated action).
Time Expressions	Learn which time expressions are commonly used with each tense, including progressive tenses. This will help you choose the correct tense and understand the timing of events in a sentence or text.
Modal Verbs	Learn how modal verbs combine with progressive tenses. For example, “He will be working tomorrow” (future progressive) vs. “He might be working tomorrow” (modal + future progressive – expressing possibility).
Active and Passive Voice	Learn the difference between active and passive voice. Practice identifying them in sentences and understand how they are formed.

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Present Continuous Tense Examples	Present Continuous Tense Exercises
Continuous Tense Examples	Present Perfect Continuous Tense Example

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