Simple Present vs. Present Progressive Worksheet

Before you practice using this worksheet, be sure to review the articles on the simple present tense and the present progressive tense on our website.

Exercise A

Choose the correct answer to describe the picture.

1.

Ted

a) Ted is a good rugby player. He is playing rugby for two hours every day.
b) Ted is being a good rugby player. He plays rugby for two hours every day.
c) Ted is a good rugby player. He play rugby for two hours every day.
d) Ted is a good rugby player. He plays rugby for two hours every day.

2.

Nan

a) Nan has a lot of work today. She is finishing the new list of rules right now.
b) Nan is having a lot of work today. She is finishing the new list of rules right now.
c) Nan has a lot of work today. She finishes the new list of rules right now.
d) Nan is having a lot of work today. She finishes the new list of rules right now.

3.

Nick

a) Nick is believing he is the only one at the beach! He always takes our toys!
b) Nick believes he is being the only one at the beach! He is always taking our toys!
c) Nick believes he is the only one at the beach! He is always taking our toys!
d) Nick is believing he is being the only one at the beach! He always takes our toys!

4.

The boss

a) The boss is feeling very happy at the moment. His stocks are going up this week.
b) The boss is feeling very happy at the moment. His stocks goes up this week.
c) The boss feel very happy at the moment. His stocks are going up this week.
d) The boss feels very happy at the moment. His stocks go up this week.

5.

Julian

a) Julian knows how to scuba dive. He is diving every day this month.
b) Julian is knowing how to scuba dive. He is diving every day this month.
c) Julian know how to scuba dive. He dives every day this month.
d) Julian knows how to scuba dive. He dives every day this month.

6.

Molly

a) Molly is sewing a new dress right now. She is not being able to answer the phone.
b) Molly is sewing a new dress right now. She is not able to answer the phone.
c) Molly sews a new dress right now. She is not able to answer the phone.
d) Molly sews a new dress right now. She is not being able to answer the phone.

7.

she is taking a picture of herself

a) Look, she is taking a picture of herself! Selfies are becoming more and more popular.
b) Look, she takes a picture of herself! Selfies become more and more popular.
c) Look, she take a picture of herself! Selfies become more and more popular.
d) Look, she is taking a picture of herself! Selfies become more and more popular.

8.

Leonard

a) Leonard is teaching a special class once a week. He shares his skills with kids.
b) Leonard is teaching a special class once a week. He is sharing his skills with kids.
c) Leonard teach a special class once a week. He share his skills with kids.
d) Leonard teaches a special class once a week. He shares his skills with kids.

9.

Ellie

a) The store is having a big sale today. Ellie runs to get there as fast as she can.
b) The store has a big sale today. Ellie runs to get there as fast as she can.
c) The store is having a big sale today. Ellie is running to get there as fast as she can.
d) The store have a big sale today. Ellie runs to get there as fast as she can.

10.

Bob

a) Bob is a shuttle engineer. He fixes special machines that go into space.
b) Bob is being a shuttle engineer. He fixes special machines that are going into space.
c) Bob is a shuttle engineer. He is fixing special machines that are going into space.
d) Bob is being a shuttle engineer. He is fixing special machines that go into space.

Exercise B

Match the sentences below with the sentences in each exercise to complete the idea.

a) They go underwater and are invisible from the surface of the ocean.
b) I think he needs to take some time off and rest.
c) I do it every winter on different mountains.
d) She is feeling frightened right now because she is looking at one.
e) My dad is reading me a book to help me get ready to go to sleep.
f) Sometimes he plays alone and sometimes he plays with his friends.
g) He often goes for walks around his neighborhood.
h) The crowd is cheering for him and for the team!
i) He is always staring at other people and making them uncomfortable.
j) She is doing lots of fancy tricks to impress the judges.

1.

I am very good at skiing.

I am very good at skiing.

2.

My pet poodle is participating in a special dog show.

My pet poodle is participating in a special dog show.

3.

Ed is always falling asleep at work!

Ed is always falling asleep at work!

4.

Timmy is playing really well in this game!

Timmy is playing really well in this game!

5.

Angelica is terrified of spiders!

Angelica is terrified of spiders!

6.

Paul enjoys golf.

Paul enjoys golf.

7.

Fred gets plenty of regular exercise.

Fred gets plenty of regular exercise.

8.

I think Allan is so rude!

I think Allan is so rude!

9.

It is almost time to go to bed.

It is almost time to go to bed.

10.

Submarines are a special kind of ship.

Submarines are a special kind of ship.

Exercise C

Correct the mistakes in the sentences.

1.

Look, Beth is very thirsty! She drinks a big soda right now.

Look, Beth is very thirsty! She drinks a big soda right now.

2.

Harry is a wonderful boss. He is having a lot of experience working with people.

Harry is a wonderful boss. He is having a lot of experience working with people.

3.

I think Billy uses his tablet too much. He is never turning it off.

I think Billy uses his tablet too much. He is never turning it off.

4.

Wendy is going to a costume party. She wears a cape and a mask.

Wendy is going to a costume party. She wears a cape and a mask.

5.

My car is not working. I take a taxi to work this week.

My car is not working. I take a taxi to work this week.

6.

Rick is on the phone. He talks to someone about a technical problem.

Rick is on the phone. He talks to someone about a technical problem.

7.

Quinn is not a very talented tennis player, but he plays very well this afternoon!

Quinn is not a very talented tennis player, but he plays very well this afternoon!

8.

Annie is being very active. She plays and runs every day.

Annie is being very active. She plays and runs every day.

9.

Liam is having a new set of tools. He is showing them to me right now.

Liam is having a new set of tools. He is showing them to me right now.

10.

Mike is working as a train engineer. He helps control the trains and avoids accidents.

Mike is working as a train engineer. He helps control the trains and avoids accidents.

 

See also:

Stories and Exercises to Practice the Simple Tenses

Stories and Exercises to Practice the Progressive Tenses