Question 1

Select a form of the verb to be to complete the incomplete progressives in the sentences below.  The guide calling to the other climbers, "I can see the top of the mountain."

Accepted Answer

The correct form of the verb to be in this sentence is "was" because the subject "The guide" is singular, so the sentence should read "The guide was calling to the other climbers, 'I can see the top of the mountain.'"

Question 2

Below are sentences in the present tense. Select the present progressive tense ( am , is , or are + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. The twins attend the University of Mississippi.
The twins _________________________________ the University of Mississippi.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "are attending" because "twins" is a plural subject, and the present progressive tense for plural subjects uses "are" + the -ing form of the verb.

Question 3

Below are sentences in the past tense. Select the past progressive tense ( was or were + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. The taxi driver shouted at the pedestrians.
The taxi driver _________________________ at the pedestrians.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "was shouting" because "the taxi driver" is a singular subject, which requires "was" in the past progressive tense.

Question 4

Below are sentences in the past tense. Select the past progressive tense ( was or were + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. I looked for my blue suede shoes.
I ________________________________ for my blue suede shoes.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "was looking" because the subject "I" requires the singular form "was" in the past progressive tense.

Question 5

Below are sentences in the past tense. Select the past progressive tense ( was or were + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. The commuters had donuts while waiting for the bus.
The commuters ___________________________ donuts while they waited for the bus.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "were having" because "commuters" is a plural noun, and the past progressive tense for plural subjects is "were" + verb-ing.

Question 6

Read each sentence carefully and select the correct form of the verb. Ponce de Leon (searched, was searching) for gold when he explored Florida in 1513.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "was searching" because the sentence describes an ongoing action (searching for gold) that took place in the past when another action occurred (explored Florida).

Question 7

Select a form of the verb to be to complete the incomplete progressives in the sentences below.  Juliette and Ernie shopping at Target when the lights went out.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "were" because "Juliette and Ernie" are two people, indicating a plural subject, which requires "were" in the past progressive tense.

Question 8

Select a form of the verb to be to complete the incomplete progressives in the sentences below.  By six o'clock, Myron knocking on everyone's door.

Accepted Answer

The correct form of the verb to be in this sentence is "was" because the subject "Myron" is singular, and "was" is used with singular subjects in the past tense.

Question 9

Below are sentences in the present tense. Select the present progressive tense ( am , is , or are + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. The panther stalks its prey.
The panther ______________________ its prey.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "is stalking" because "the panther" is a singular subject, and "is" is the appropriate auxiliary verb to use with singular subjects in the present progressive tense.

Question 10

Below are sentences in the past tense. Select the past progressive tense ( was or were + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. The audience clapped loudly.
The audience ______________________________ loudly.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "was clapping" because "audience" is a collective noun that is treated as singular in this context, so the singular form "was" is used.

Question 11

Select a form of the verb to be to complete the incomplete progressives in the sentences below.  All day Sunday, he surfing the Web.

Accepted Answer

The correct form of the verb to be for the subject "he" in the past continuous tense is "was," making the sentence "All day Sunday, he was surfing the Web."

Question 12

Read each sentence carefully and select the correct form of the verb. I can't go to lunch now. I (write, am writing) my letter of application.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "am writing" because it describes an action that is currently in progress.

Question 13

Read each sentence carefully and select the correct form of the verb. I can't answer the phone now. I (wash, am washing) my hair.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "am washing" because it describes an action that is currently happening.

Question 14

Below are sentences in the present tense. Select the present progressive tense ( am , is , or are + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. The guests arrive soon.
The guests _________________________________ soon.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "are arriving" because "guests" is a plural noun, and "are" is the plural form of "to be" used with the present participle "arriving" to form the present progressive tense.

Question 15

Select a form of the verb to be to complete the incomplete progressives in the sentences below.  I paying my dues on time for a change.

Accepted Answer

The correct form of the verb to be in this sentence is "am," because the subject "I" requires "am" in the present progressive tense.

Question 16

Below are sentences in the present tense. Select the present progressive tense ( am , is , or are + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. I write my term paper.
I __________________________________ my term paper.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "am writing" because the subject "I" requires the auxiliary verb "am" for the present progressive tense.

Question 17

Read each sentence carefully and select the correct form of the verb. Esther paid for the jacket after she (tried, was trying) it on.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "tried" because the action of trying on the jacket was completed before she paid for it, indicating a sequence of actions in the past.

Question 18

Read each sentence carefully and select the correct form of the verb. Right now, Boyd (irons, is ironing) his shirts.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "is ironing" because the sentence describes an action that is currently happening.

Question 19

Below are sentences in the present tense. Select the present progressive tense ( am , is , or are + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. Barry sweeps the front walk.
Barry ______________________________ the front walk.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "is sweeping" because Barry is a singular subject, and "is" is the appropriate auxiliary verb to use with singular subjects in the present progressive tense.

Question 20

Below are sentences in the past tense. Select the past progressive tense ( was or were + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. We cleared a path to the beach.
We _____________________________ a path to the beach.

Accepted Answer

The correct form is "were clearing" because "we" is a plural subject, which requires "were" in the past progressive tense.

Quiz 15: Progressive Tenses to Be -Ing Verb Form

Select a form of the verb to be to complete the incomplete progressives in the sentences below. The guide calling to the other climbers, "I can see the top of the mountain."

Below are sentences in the present tense. Select the present progressive tense ( am , is , or are + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. The twins attend the University of Mississippi. The twins _________________________________ the University of Mississippi.

Below are sentences in the past tense. Select the past progressive tense ( was or were + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. The taxi driver shouted at the pedestrians. The taxi driver _________________________ at the pedestrians.

Below are sentences in the past tense. Select the past progressive tense ( was or were + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. I looked for my blue suede shoes. I ________________________________ for my blue suede shoes.

Below are sentences in the past tense. Select the past progressive tense ( was or were + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. The commuters had donuts while waiting for the bus. The commuters ___________________________ donuts while they waited for the bus.

Read each sentence carefully and select the correct form of the verb. Ponce de Leon (searched, was searching) for gold when he explored Florida in 1513.

Select a form of the verb to be to complete the incomplete progressives in the sentences below. Juliette and Ernie shopping at Target when the lights went out.

Select a form of the verb to be to complete the incomplete progressives in the sentences below. By six o'clock, Myron knocking on everyone's door.

Below are sentences in the present tense. Select the present progressive tense ( am , is , or are + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. The panther stalks its prey. The panther ______________________ its prey.

Below are sentences in the past tense. Select the past progressive tense ( was or were + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. The audience clapped loudly. The audience ______________________________ loudly.

Select a form of the verb to be to complete the incomplete progressives in the sentences below. All day Sunday, he surfing the Web.

Read each sentence carefully and select the correct form of the verb. I can't go to lunch now. I (write, am writing) my letter of application.

Read each sentence carefully and select the correct form of the verb. I can't answer the phone now. I (wash, am washing) my hair.

Below are sentences in the present tense. Select the present progressive tense ( am , is , or are + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. The guests arrive soon. The guests _________________________________ soon.

Select a form of the verb to be to complete the incomplete progressives in the sentences below. I paying my dues on time for a change.

Below are sentences in the present tense. Select the present progressive tense ( am , is , or are + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. I write my term paper. I __________________________________ my term paper.

Read each sentence carefully and select the correct form of the verb. Esther paid for the jacket after she (tried, was trying) it on.

Read each sentence carefully and select the correct form of the verb. Right now, Boyd (irons, is ironing) his shirts.

Below are sentences in the present tense. Select the present progressive tense ( am , is , or are + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. Barry sweeps the front walk. Barry ______________________________ the front walk.

Below are sentences in the past tense. Select the past progressive tense ( was or were + - ing form of the main verb) for the blank. We cleared a path to the beach. We _____________________________ a path to the beach.