This is the first time he ...

[BestBuddy]

Can we use the present continuous in these examples since the action hasn't been completed?

1. Joe is driving a car. He has never driven a car before. This is the first time he ... (is driving a car/has driven a car).
2. Tom is building a wooden ship. He has just started it. He has never built a wooden ship before. This is the first time he ... (is building a wooden ship/has built a wooden ship)
3. John is repairing his bike. He has just started. He has never repaired a bike before. This is the first time he ... (is repairing a bike/has repaired a bike).

 

[5jj]

These are the natural forms:

1. Joe is driving a car. He has never driven a car before. This is the first time he has driven a car.
2. Tom is building a wooden ship. He has just started it. He has never built a wooden ship before. This is the first time he has built a wooden ship.
3. John is repairing his bike. He has just started. He has never repaired a bike before. This is the first time he has repaired a bike.

 

[jutfrank]

Alternatively:

1. ... This is his first time driving a car.
2. ... This is his first time building a ship.
3. ... This is his first time repairing a bike.