Chapter 10 · English Grammar
The Continuous Tenses
What you will be able to do
- Form the present and past continuous (be + verb-ing)
- Use the present continuous for actions happening now
- Use the past continuous for actions in progress in the past
- Spell the -ing form correctly
- Tell continuous tenses apart from simple tenses
1 Quick Introduction
English
The continuous tenses show an action in progress — happening and not yet finished. The form is a part of the verb be + the -ing form. "She is reading" (now) and "She was reading" (at a past moment) both show an ongoing action.
हिन्दी
Continuous Tenses ऐसी क्रिया दिखाते हैं जो चल रही है — हो रही है और अभी समाप्त नहीं हुई। रूप होता है be का रूप + क्रिया का -ing रूप। "She is reading" (अभी) और "She was reading" (बीते किसी क्षण) दोनों जारी क्रिया दिखाते हैं।
2 A Real-Life Situation
Imagine this
You call a friend:
You: What are you doing?
Friend: I am cooking dinner. When you called, I was washing the vegetables.
Why this form? am cooking = happening right now (present continuous); was washing = was in progress at a past moment (past continuous). The -ing tells us the action was still rolling.
3 The Grammar Rule
Rule & Formula
| Tense | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Continuous | is/am/are + V-ing | She is writing. |
| Past Continuous | was/were + V-ing | She was writing. |
be (is/am/are/was/were) + verb + -ing
They are playing now; they were playing when it rained.
4 Present Continuous & the Spelling of -ing
The present continuous uses is/am/are + V-ing. Use it for:
- Actions happening right now: She is reading a book.
- Temporary actions around now: He is staying with us this week.
- Fixed future plans: We are leaving tomorrow.
Spelling the -ing form:
- Most verbs just add -ing: play → playing.
- Drop a final silent -e: write → writing, make → making.
- Double the final consonant after a short vowel: run → running, sit → sitting.
Signal words: now, at the moment, look!, listen!, currently, these days.
1
Worked Example
-ing form of 'sit'?
Solution
sitting — short vowel + single consonant, so double the 't'.
2
Worked Example
Make present continuous: She (cook) dinner now.
Solution
She is cooking dinner now.
Key Points
- Present continuous = is/am/are + V-ing
- Used for actions happening now / temporary / fixed plans
- Spelling: add -ing, drop -e, or double the consonant
5 Past Continuous Tense
The past continuous uses was/were + V-ing. Use it for:
- An action in progress at a past moment: At 8 p.m. I was studying.
- A longer action interrupted by a shorter one: I was sleeping when the phone rang.
- Two actions happening together: She was singing while he was playing.
Use was with I/he/she/it and were with you/we/they. The interrupting short action is usually in the simple past (rang, came).
1
Worked Example
Complete: They ___ (play) when it started to rain.
Solution
were playing — a longer past action in progress; 'they' takes 'were'.
2
Worked Example
Choose: I (was / were) reading at 9 p.m.
Solution
was — use 'was' with 'I'.
Key Points
- Past continuous = was/were + V-ing
- Shows an action in progress in the past
- 'was' with I/he/she/it; 'were' with you/we/they
6 Vocabulary Builder
| Word | Meaning | हिन्दी |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous | going on, in progress | चालू / जारी |
| In progress | still happening | जारी |
| Interrupt | to stop something briefly | बीच में रोकना |
| Temporary | for a short time | अस्थायी |
| Simultaneous | at the same time | एक साथ |
✎ Vocabulary Quick Test0 / 1
Q.The continuous tense always uses a form of:
Explanation: Continuous tenses use a form of 'be' (is/am/are/was/were) + V-ing.
7 Common Mistakes to Avoid
✗ IncorrectShe is write a letter.
✓ CorrectShe is writing a letter.
Continuous needs the -ing form.
✗ IncorrectThey was playing.
✓ CorrectThey were playing.
Plural subject 'they' takes 'were'.
✗ IncorrectHe is runing.
✓ CorrectHe is running.
Double the final consonant after a short vowel.
✗ IncorrectI am knowing the answer.
✓ CorrectI know the answer.
Verbs of state (know, like) are not used in the continuous.
8 Practice Exercises
Fill in the BlanksLevel 1
Write the correct -ing form.
- run →
- write →
- play →
- swim →
- make →
Answer Key
- running
- writing
- playing
- swimming
- making
Fill in the BlanksLevel 2
Complete with the present or past continuous.
- Look! The baby ______ (sleep).
- We ______ (watch) TV when the lights went off.
- She ______ (cook) dinner at the moment.
- They ______ (play) in the park yesterday evening.
- I ______ (read) when you called.
Answer Key
- is sleeping
- were watching
- is cooking
- were playing
- was reading
Error Detection
- She is write a letter now.
- They was playing football.
- He is runing fast.
- I am liking this song.
Answer Key
- She is writing a letter now. (error: is write)
- They were playing football. (error: was)
- He is running fast. (error: runing)
- I like this song. (error: am liking)
Sentence Correction
- We is going to school.
- She were singing a song.
- He is sit on the chair.
Answer Key
- We are going to school.
- She was singing a song.
- He is sitting on the chair.
Rearrange the Words
- is / she / now / dancing
- were / when / playing / we / it / rained
- the / cooking / is / mother / food
Answer Key
- She is dancing now.
- We were playing when it rained.
- Mother is cooking food.
Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. is/am/are + V-ing | a. double the consonant |
| 2. was/were + V-ing | b. past continuous |
| 3. running | c. present continuous |
| 4. writing | d. drop the -e |
Answer Key
is/am/are + V-ing → present continuouswas/were + V-ing → past continuousrunning → double the consonantwriting → drop the -e
9 Micro Quiz
✎ Quick Check — 5 questions0 / 5
Q1.Present continuous of 'She (write)':
Explanation: is + V-ing → 'is writing'.
Q2.-ing form of 'swim':
Explanation: Double the 'm': swimming.
Q3.'They ___ playing.' (past)
Explanation: Plural 'they' → 'were'.
Q4.Which verb is NOT used in the continuous?
Explanation: 'know' is a state verb, not used in the continuous.
Q5.'Look! It ___.' (rain, now)
Explanation: 'Look!' signals an action happening now → present continuous.
10 Reading Practice
It was a busy evening at home. Mother was cooking in the kitchen while Father was reading the newspaper. The children were doing their homework. Suddenly the doorbell rang. "Someone is knocking," said Riya, and she ran to open the door.
Comprehension Questions
- Find two actions happening at the same time in the past.
- Which action interrupted the others, and what tense is it?
- Find a present continuous verb.
Answer Key
- Mother was cooking while Father was reading — both past continuous.
- The doorbell rang — simple past, interrupting the ongoing actions.
- is knocking — 'Someone is knocking' shows an action happening now.
11 Speaking, Writing & Daily Use
Say these aloud
- I am reading an interesting book.
- The children are playing outside.
- She was singing when I arrived.
- We are leaving for Delhi tomorrow.
- They were watching a film at 9 p.m.
Write five sentences about what people are doing in your home right now, using the present continuous.
Example: My mother is cooking. My brother is studying. The dog is sleeping near the door.
12 Challenge Zone
🔥 Higher-Level Questions — 30 / 3
Q1.Choose the correct sentence.
Explanation: Longer action = past continuous; interrupting action = simple past.
Q2.Identify the error: 'I am understanding the lesson now.'
Explanation: 'understand' is a state verb; use the simple present.
Q3.Which sentence shows a fixed future plan?
Explanation: The present continuous can show a fixed future arrangement.
13 Chapter Mind Map
CONTINUOUS TENSES
|
+------------+------------+
| |
PRESENT CONT. PAST CONT.
is/am/are + -ing was/were + -ing
happening now in progress (past)
-ing spelling: interrupted action
+ing/drop-e/double was=I/he, were=we14 One-Minute Revision
Remember these
- Continuous = a form of be + verb + -ing
- Present continuous (is/am/are) → happening now
- Past continuous (was/were) → in progress in the past
- -ing spelling: add -ing, drop -e, or double the consonant
- State verbs (know, like, want) are not used in the continuous