English grammar worksheet focusing on progressive tenses.
Fill in the blank with the correct progressive tense verb to match the tense in parentheses. Worksheet with six sentences and multiple-choice options for past, present, and future progressive tenses.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Progressive Tense Verbs Test worksheet
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Progressive Tense Verbs Test worksheet
Here's the solution to the worksheet, with explanations for each answer:
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1. The Johnson family ____________ in Georgia for the past five years. (past progressive)
✔ Correct answer: were living
*Explanation:*
The past progressive tense is formed with was/were + verb-ing. Since "The Johnson family" is plural, we use were. The phrase “for the past five years” indicates a duration in the past that was ongoing — perfect for past progressive.
> *“were living”* = past progressive (plural subject)
✘ *has lived* → present perfect (not progressive)
✘ *will be living* → future progressive
✘ *is living* → present progressive
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2. The weatherman said that it ____________ by morning. (future progressive)
✔ Correct answer: will be snowing
*Explanation:*
Future progressive is formed with will be + verb-ing. It describes an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future — here, “by morning.”
> *“will be snowing”* = future progressive
✘ *has snowed* → present perfect (completed action)
✘ *is snowing* → present progressive (happening now)
---
3. My best friends ____________ me nonstop last night. (past progressive)
✔ Correct answer: were texting
*Explanation:*
Past progressive again: was/were + verb-ing. “My best friends” is plural → were. “Last night” signals a past time frame, and “nonstop” suggests continuous action — ideal for past progressive.
> *“were texting”* = past progressive (plural subject)
✘ *are texting* → present progressive
✘ *will be texting* → future progressive
---
4. Chris ____________ a crossword puzzle at his desk. (present progressive)
✔ Correct answer: is solving
*Explanation:*
Present progressive = am/is/are + verb-ing. “Chris” is singular → is. This describes an action happening right now (or around now).
> *“is solving”* = present progressive (singular subject)
✘ *was solving* → past progressive
✘ *will be solving* → future progressive
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5. Jen ____________ by the time I got to the restaurant. (past progressive)
✔ Correct answer: was eating
*Explanation:*
Past progressive: was/were + verb-ing. “Jen” is singular → was. The phrase “by the time I got…” implies that Jen’s action (eating) was already in progress when another past action occurred.
> *“was eating”* = past progressive (singular subject)
✘ *is eating* → present progressive
✘ *will be eating* → future progressive
---
6. We ____________ to go see a movie, but my parents couldn’t take us. (past progressive)
✔ Correct answer: were wanting
*Explanation:*
Past progressive: were + verb-ing. “We” is plural → were. Although “want” is usually stative (not used in progressive), in informal or narrative contexts, especially when emphasizing a temporary or ongoing desire in the past, “were wanting” can be acceptable. Given the options and the instruction to choose the progressive form matching the tense, were wanting is correct.
Note: In strict grammar, “wanted” (simple past) would be more natural, but since the task requires the *progressive* tense and “were wanting” is the only progressive option, it is the intended answer.
✘ *will be wanting* → future progressive
✘ *are wanting* → present progressive
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1. were living
2. will be snowing
3. were texting
4. is solving
5. was eating
6. were wanting
Let me know if you’d like a printable version or further grammar breakdowns!
---
1. The Johnson family ____________ in Georgia for the past five years. (past progressive)
✔ Correct answer: were living
*Explanation:*
The past progressive tense is formed with was/were + verb-ing. Since "The Johnson family" is plural, we use were. The phrase “for the past five years” indicates a duration in the past that was ongoing — perfect for past progressive.
> *“were living”* = past progressive (plural subject)
✘ *has lived* → present perfect (not progressive)
✘ *will be living* → future progressive
✘ *is living* → present progressive
---
2. The weatherman said that it ____________ by morning. (future progressive)
✔ Correct answer: will be snowing
*Explanation:*
Future progressive is formed with will be + verb-ing. It describes an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future — here, “by morning.”
> *“will be snowing”* = future progressive
✘ *has snowed* → present perfect (completed action)
✘ *is snowing* → present progressive (happening now)
---
3. My best friends ____________ me nonstop last night. (past progressive)
✔ Correct answer: were texting
*Explanation:*
Past progressive again: was/were + verb-ing. “My best friends” is plural → were. “Last night” signals a past time frame, and “nonstop” suggests continuous action — ideal for past progressive.
> *“were texting”* = past progressive (plural subject)
✘ *are texting* → present progressive
✘ *will be texting* → future progressive
---
4. Chris ____________ a crossword puzzle at his desk. (present progressive)
✔ Correct answer: is solving
*Explanation:*
Present progressive = am/is/are + verb-ing. “Chris” is singular → is. This describes an action happening right now (or around now).
> *“is solving”* = present progressive (singular subject)
✘ *was solving* → past progressive
✘ *will be solving* → future progressive
---
5. Jen ____________ by the time I got to the restaurant. (past progressive)
✔ Correct answer: was eating
*Explanation:*
Past progressive: was/were + verb-ing. “Jen” is singular → was. The phrase “by the time I got…” implies that Jen’s action (eating) was already in progress when another past action occurred.
> *“was eating”* = past progressive (singular subject)
✘ *is eating* → present progressive
✘ *will be eating* → future progressive
---
6. We ____________ to go see a movie, but my parents couldn’t take us. (past progressive)
✔ Correct answer: were wanting
*Explanation:*
Past progressive: were + verb-ing. “We” is plural → were. Although “want” is usually stative (not used in progressive), in informal or narrative contexts, especially when emphasizing a temporary or ongoing desire in the past, “were wanting” can be acceptable. Given the options and the instruction to choose the progressive form matching the tense, were wanting is correct.
Note: In strict grammar, “wanted” (simple past) would be more natural, but since the task requires the *progressive* tense and “were wanting” is the only progressive option, it is the intended answer.
✘ *will be wanting* → future progressive
✘ *are wanting* → present progressive
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✔ Final Answers:
1. were living
2. will be snowing
3. were texting
4. is solving
5. was eating
6. were wanting
Let me know if you’d like a printable version or further grammar breakdowns!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of present progressive verbs worksheet.