Continuous Tenses: is running, was running, will be running — Answers
Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the 5th Grade verbs & tenses worksheet.
Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheet5th Grade · English · Verbs & TensesContinuous Tenses: is running, was running, will be running — Answers
Part A: Name the tense
A continuous tense shows an action in progress. It uses a form of be with an -ing verb: is running (present), was running (past), will be running (future). Circle the tense of each sentence.
- Apresent continuous
- Bpast continuous
- Cfuture continuous
Answer: present continuous
Are + painting: happening now.
- Apresent continuous
- Bpast continuous
- Cfuture continuous
Answer: past continuous
Were + watching: in progress in the past.
- Apresent continuous
- Bpast continuous
- Cfuture continuous
Answer: future continuous
Will be + flying: in progress in the future.
- Apresent continuous
- Bpast continuous
- Cfuture continuous
Answer: present continuous
Is + building: happening now.
- Apresent continuous
- Bpast continuous
- Cfuture continuous
Answer: past continuous
Was + snowing: in progress in the past.
- Apresent continuous
- Bpast continuous
- Cfuture continuous
Answer: future continuous
Will be + waiting: in progress in the future.
Part B: Make the tense
Write the verb shown at the start as a continuous tense. Use the time clues.
Answer: is running
Present continuous: is + running.
Answer: was reading
Past continuous: was + reading.
Answer: will be swimming
Future continuous: will be + swimming.
Answer: are making
Present continuous with a plural subject: are + making.
Answer: were playing
Past continuous with a plural subject: were + playing.
Answer: will be sleeping
Future continuous: will be + sleeping.
Part C: Simple or continuous?
Use the simple tense for habits and facts. Use the continuous tense for actions in progress. Circle the verb that fits.
- Awas doing
- Bdid
Answer: was doing
The homework was in progress when something else happened, so use the past continuous.
- Ais smiling
- Bsmiles
Answer: is smiling
Look! tells us it is happening right now.
- Aeat
- Bam eating
Answer: eat
Every day is a habit, so use the simple present.
- Arises
- Bis rising
Answer: rises
This is always true, so use the simple present.
- Ais sleeping
- Bsleeps
Answer: is sleeping
Shh! tells us it is happening right now.
- Awas dancing
- Bdanced
Answer: was dancing
The dancing was already in progress when we arrived.
Part D: Spell the -ing verb
Add -ing to each verb. Watch the spelling changes.
Answer: running
Short vowel + one consonant: double the n.
Answer: making
Drop the e, then add -ing.
Answer: swimming
Double the m.
Answer: writing
Drop the e, then add -ing.
Answer: carrying
Keep the y and add -ing.
Answer: lying
Change ie to y, then add -ing.
Part E: Your turn
Model answer: A man is walking his dog along the path. Two girls are flying a kite. When it started to rain, a family was having a picnic. Some boys were playing soccer on the grass.
Success criteria:
- Two sentences in the present continuous (is or are + -ing)
- Two sentences in the past continuous (was or were + -ing)
- Helping verbs match their subjects
- -ing verbs spelled correctly
Marking tips
- Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
- For open-ended tasks, use the success criteria as a checklist rather than looking for one "right" answer.
- Celebrate what went well first, then pick one thing to work on next.
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