Progressive be Worksheet Practice Exercises with Answers

Quick Tip 34.1

One kind of helping verb is be. It has the following forms: am, is, are, was, were, be, been, and being.

Test Yourself 34.1

Question 1. The reporter was writing her story.
Answer: The helping verb be is was.
In simple words: Find the form of be that comes before the main action verb. Here, "was" is the helper that comes before "writing".

Exam Tip: The form of be always appears right before the main verb (the -ing word) in a progressive sentence.

Question 2. He is controlling his temper.
Answer: The helping verb be is is.
In simple words: Look for the verb form that comes just before the action. In this sentence, "is" comes before "controlling".

Exam Tip: Always mark the form of be that sits directly before the -ing verb form.

Question 3. You are learning about syntax.
Answer: The helping verb be is are.
In simple words: The form of be here is "are", which comes right before the main action verb "learning".

Exam Tip: Remember that all eight forms of be (am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being) can serve as helping verbs in progressive sentences.

Question 4. They were watching a movie last Sunday.
Answer: The helping verb be is were.
In simple words: The helper verb here is "were", which appears just before the main action "watching".

Exam Tip: Past tense progressive forms use was or were as the helping verb.

Question 5. I am doing a lot of things right now.
Answer: The helping verb be is am.
In simple words: The form of be in this sentence is "am", which comes before the action verb "doing".

Exam Tip: Use am with the pronoun "I" in present progressive sentences.

Test Yourself 34.2

Question 6. I was talking to Harry.
Answer: The helping verb be is was, and the main verb is talking.
In simple words: The be helper verb is "was" which comes before "talking", the action that was taking place.

Exam Tip: In progressive sentences, the helping verb always comes directly before the main verb in its -ing form.

Question 7. Irving and Annie are studying Latin.
Answer: The helping verb be is are, and the main verb is studying.
In simple words: The helper is "are", which comes before the action verb "studying".

Exam Tip: When the subject is plural (Irving and Annie), use are as the helping verb in present progressive.

Question 8. He is testing her loyalty.
Answer: The helping verb be is is, and the main verb is testing.
In simple words: The form of be is "is", which comes right before the main action "testing".

Exam Tip: Singular subjects in the present take is as the helping verb.

Question 9. I am taking a walk.
Answer: The helping verb be is am, and the main verb is taking.
In simple words: The helper verb is "am", and the main action verb is "taking".

Exam Tip: The pronoun "I" always pairs with am in present progressive sentences.

Question 10. You were reading for hours.
Answer: The helping verb be is were, and the main verb is reading.
In simple words: The form of be is "were", which comes before the main action verb "reading".

Exam Tip: Past progressive sentences with "you" use were as the helping verb.

Quick Tip 34.2

Be and its forms can be used as a helping verb or as a main verb. When be is used as the helping verb, it is always followed by another verb.

Test Yourself 34.3

Question 11. Sam is looking at the mail.
Answer: Helping verb: is | Main verb: (blank - this sentence has be as a helper only)
In simple words: The verb "is" helps the main action verb "looking", so "is" is a helping verb here, not a main verb.

Exam Tip: When be appears before an -ing verb form, it is always a helping verb, never the main verb in that role.

Question 12. That concept was difficult.
Answer: Helping verb: (blank) | Main verb: was
In simple words: The verb "was" stands alone and describes the condition of the concept, so it acts as the main verb here.

Exam Tip: When be is not followed by another verb (especially an -ing form), it serves as a main linking verb.

Question 13. You are helping her a lot.
Answer: Helping verb: are | Main verb: (blank - this sentence has be as a helper only)
In simple words: The verb "are" comes before "helping", so "are" is the helper, not the main verb.

Exam Tip: Progressive sentences always have be as the helper and another verb as the main action.

Question 14. I am a doctor.
Answer: Helping verb: (blank) | Main verb: am
In simple words: The verb "am" stands by itself and links the subject to the description, so it is the main verb here.

Exam Tip: When be appears alone without an -ing verb following it, treat it as a main linking verb.

Question 15. They were watching TV.
Answer: Helping verb: were | Main verb: (blank - this sentence has be as a helper only)
In simple words: The verb "were" comes before "watching", so "were" helps the main action verb.

Exam Tip: In past progressive sentences, was or were always acts as a helping verb when followed by an -ing verb.