5th-grade Progressive Verb Tenses

Progressive Verb Tenses

Extra Practice

The Progressive Tense 

The progressive tense tells about something that is, was, or will be happening.

To form the progressive tenses, use the helping verb to be (am, are, is, was, were, will) with a main verb ending in -ing.

The present progressive tense

The present progressive tense tells about something that is happening right now. It uses a present-tense form of the helping verb to be (is, am, or are).

Julie is playing basketball right now.

I am dancing with my dog.

They are eating burgers for lunch today.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the present progressive form of the verb.

Lyla and Todd ______ (rearrange) the chairs into rows.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the present progressive form of the verb.

I _____ (feel) nervous about my performance next week.

The past progressive tense

The past progressive tense tells about something that was happening in the past. It uses a past-tense form of the helping verb to be (was or were).

Seth was talking to Mrs. Jones when the phone rang.

My parents were watching T.V. when grandma arrived.

Multiple Choice

Complete the sentence with the past progressive form of the verb.

Mom and I ____ (argue) about which football team was best.

• were arguing

• are arguing

Multiple Choice

Complete the sentence with the past progressive form of the verb.

Camden _____ (teach) his brother to tie a bow tie.

• was teaching

• is teaching

The future progressive tense

The future progressive tense tells about something that will be happening in the future. It uses the future-tense form of the helping verb to be (will be).

Karen will be visiting next June.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the future progressive form of the verb.

Peter _____ (playing) the guitar at his show this weekend.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the future progressive form of the verb.

We ____ (plan) a trip to Europe.