Question

Tom wants you to visit him but you are very busy. Look at your diary and explain to him why you can't come.
TOM : What about Tuesday evening then?
YOU : No, not Tuesday. I _______ (work late) till 9'o clock in the night.

• A. was working late
• B. have worked late
• C. will work late
• D. am working late
  

Answer 1

The correct option is D am working late

The present continuous tense is formed with the subject plus the present particle form (-ing) of the main verb and the present continuous tense of the verb to be: am, is, are.

In this particular sentence, we can understand that the statement is based on something which is happening. The present continuous tense is a grammatical tense that can be used to describe when an action happened, or may happen. You can use it to describe both events that are happening in the present – right now, while you are talking about something, or in the future – something that may or will happen later on. So, we would be using present continuous tense for the given blank.

Now, in continuous tense, the verb always ends with an '-ing', eliminating option B and C. "Have" cannot be used in this case.

Option D is correct