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: Can you come on Monday evening?
YOU: Sorry but _________. (play/volleyball).

• A. I'm playing volleyball.
• B. I have played volleyball.
• C. I was playing volleyball.
• D. I have been playing volleyball.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

I'm playing volleyball.

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. We won't be using "have" or "was" as they are not used in present continuous tense.