Progressive Verb Tenses: Past, Present, and Future — Grade 7
Practice identifying, forming, and correcting past, present, and future progressive verb phrases through analysis-level exercises for Grade 7.
Progressive tenses appear constantly in academic writing — whenever a writer wants to show that an action was ongoing, is currently happening, or will be in progress at a future moment. The three progressive forms give writers a precise way to capture actions in motion rather than completed events. This worksheet guides Grade 7 students from recognition to independent production in four steps. Part A trains the eye to spot complete progressive verb phrases inside complex sentences. Part B asks students to supply the correct form, using a time signal as their guide. Part C presents sentences with specific errors to diagnose and fix. Part D challenges students to compose original sentences that anchor a progressive tense with a clear time signal. Work through each part in order for the best results.
Progressive Verb Tenses: Past, Present, and Future — Grade 7
This worksheet drills progressive tenses, which show actions in progress. Read each section's directions carefully before you begin.
Remember
- A progressive tense uses a form of 'be' plus a verb ending in -ing: 'she is writing,' 'he was reading,' 'they will be running.'
- Match the form of 'be' to the subject and time: am/is/are for present, was/were for past, will be for future.
- A time signal — such as 'right now,' 'at noon yesterday,' or 'this time next week' — shows which progressive form to use.
Part A — Identify the Progressive Verb Phrase
Underline the complete progressive verb phrase in each sentence, then label it past, present, or future.
- 1.
By noon tomorrow, the science team will be presenting their findings to the entire district panel.
- 2.
When the substitute teacher entered the classroom, several students were whispering near the back row.
- 3.
Because the Wi-Fi signal kept dropping, Amara was rebooting her laptop every few minutes during the test.
- 4.
Right now, the construction crew is repaving the main road that runs past our school.
- 5.
While Darius studied for his history exam, his younger sister was practicing her violin in the next room.
- 6.
At this very moment, the principal is addressing the school board about next year's curriculum changes.
Part B — Fill in the Progressive Form
Write the correct progressive form of the verb in parentheses to fill the blank in each sentence.
- 7.
At three o'clock yesterday, Keisha ____ (write) her lab report when the fire alarm sounded.
- 8.
Even as you read this sentence right now, hundreds of satellites ____ (orbit) Earth at incredible speeds.
- 9.
During tomorrow's championship game, our coach ____ (watch) every player's positioning from the sideline.
- 10.
While the museum curator was giving the tour, a student in the back ____ (sketch) the ancient artifacts.
- 11.
This time next week, the seventh-grade class ____ (present) its environmental research to the city council.
Part C — Correct the Error
Each sentence has one progressive tense error. Rewrite the sentence correctly on the line provided.
- 12.
When the principal walked in, the students debate the homework policy loudly.
- 13.
My two younger cousins was competing in the regional spelling bee all weekend.
- 14.
By the end of the semester, every student will presenting an original short story to the class.
- 15.
While the technician was repair the projector, the class continued reading their assigned chapters.
- 16.
At this moment, the debate coach reviewing the tournament schedule for next month's competition.
Part D — Write Your Own
Write an original sentence that follows each prompt, using the progressive tense specified.
- 17.
Write a sentence in the past progressive tense to describe an ongoing activity at a specific time yesterday.
- 18.
Write a sentence in the future progressive tense showing an action in progress at a specific time next week.
Answer key
Part A — Identify the Progressive Verb Phrase
- 1.will be presenting
- 2.were whispering
- 3.was rebooting
- 4.is repaving
- 5.was practicing
- 6.is addressing
Part B — Fill in the Progressive Form
- 7.was writing
- 8.are orbiting
- 9.will be watching
- 10.was sketching
- 11.will be presenting
Part C — Correct the Error
- 12.When the principal walked in, the students were debating the homework policy loudly.
- 13.My two younger cousins were competing in the regional spelling bee all weekend.
- 14.By the end of the semester, every student will be presenting an original short story to the class.
- 15.While the technician was repairing the projector, the class continued reading their assigned chapters.
- 16.At this moment, the debate coach is reviewing the tournament schedule for next month's competition.
Part D — Write Your Own
- 17.Example: At six o'clock yesterday evening, Nadia was finishing her science notes while her father cooked dinner.
- 18.Example: This time next Friday, the whole class will be listening to the final presentations on climate change.
What this worksheet teaches
- Identify complete progressive verb phrases in complex, multi-clause sentences across all three time frames.
- Form correct progressive verb phrases by selecting the right auxiliary verb and adding the -ing participle.
- Diagnose and correct progressive tense errors in multi-clause sentences by naming the rule that applies.
Notes for the grown-up
- The most common error is dropping the auxiliary: students write 'she running' instead of 'she is running' — watch Part C closely.
- When a student uses 'was' with a plural subject, ask them to find the subject and decide: is this one person or more than one?
- A student is ready to move on when they can point to the time signal in a sentence and explain which tense it demands.
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