PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE EXERCISE 2 (ESL)
level: Beginner/Intermediate (A2/B1)
A second present continuous exercise going beyond basic structure to test its limits — including stative verbs that cannot be used in continuous form, and cases where the present continuous signals a temporary situation or a future arrangement. If you haven’t done exercise 1 yet, start there.
Grammar review
The present continuous — stative verbs and further uses
Beyond describing actions happening right now, the present continuous has two other important uses — and one important restriction.
Temporary situations:
The present continuous can describe situations that are true at the moment but not permanent:
“I’m staying with my parents this month.” (temporary)
Compare: “I live in London.” (permanent fact → simple present)
Fixed future arrangements:
“We’re meeting the clients tomorrow.” (planned and confirmed)
Stative verbs — NOT used in continuous:
Verbs describing states (not actions) are not normally used in continuous form:
know, want, need, like, love, hate, believe, understand, own, seem, mean
✗ “I am knowing the answer.” ✓ “I know the answer.”
✗ “She is wanting a coffee.” ✓ “She wants a coffee.”
Beyond describing actions happening right now, the present continuous has two other important uses — and one important restriction.
Temporary situations:
The present continuous can describe situations that are true at the moment but not permanent:
“I’m staying with my parents this month.” (temporary)
Compare: “I live in London.” (permanent fact → simple present)
Fixed future arrangements:
“We’re meeting the clients tomorrow.” (planned and confirmed)
Stative verbs — NOT used in continuous:
Verbs describing states (not actions) are not normally used in continuous form:
know, want, need, like, love, hate, believe, understand, own, seem, mean
✗ “I am knowing the answer.” ✓ “I know the answer.”
✗ “She is wanting a coffee.” ✓ “She wants a coffee.”
Choose the correct verb form to complete each sentence.
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PRESENT TENSE EXERCISES:
Present continuous 1 (A1/A2)
Present continuous 2 (A2/B1)
Simple present or present continuous? 1 (B1/B2)
Simple present or present continuous? 2 (B1/B2)
Mixed verb tenses 1 (B1/B2)
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Present continuous 1 (A1/A2)
Present continuous 2 (A2/B1)
Simple present or present continuous? 1 (B1/B2)
Simple present or present continuous? 2 (B1/B2)
Mixed verb tenses 1 (B1/B2)
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