TENSES EXERCISES

The simple present and the present continuous

Put the verbs in brackets into the simple present or the present continuous tense.

1 Cuckoos (not build) nests. They (use) the nests of other birds.
2 You can't see Tom now: he (have) a bath.
3 He usually (drink) coffee but today he (drink) tea.
4 What she (do) in the evenings? ~
She usually (play) cards or (watch) TV.
5 I won't go out now as it (rain) and I -(not have) an umbrella.

The simple past and the past continuous

Put the verbs in brackets into the simple past or the past continuous tense.

1 I lit the fire at 6.00 and it (bum) brightly when Tom came in at 7.00.
2 When I arrived the lecture had already started and the professor (write) on the overhead projector.
3 I (make) a cake when the light went out. I had to finish it in the dark.
4 I didn't want to meet Paul so when he entered the room I (leave).
5 Unfortunately when I arrived Ann just (leave), so we only had time for a few words.
6 He (watch) TV when the phone rang. Very unwillingly he (turn) down the sound and (go) to answer
it.
7 He was very polite. Whenever his wife entered the room he (stand) up.
8 The admiral (play) bowls when he received news of the invasion. He (insist) on finishing the game.
9 My dog (walk) along quietly when Mr Pitt's Pekinese attacked him.
10 When I arrived she (have) lunch. She apologized for starting without me but said that she always
(lunch) at 12.30.

The present perfect and the simple past

Put the verbs in brackets into the present perfect or the simple past tense.

1 This is my house. ~
How long you (live) here? ~
I (live) here since 1970.
2 He (live) in London for two years and then (go) to Edinburgh.
3 You (wear) your hair long when you were at school? ~
Yes, my mother (insist) on it.
4 But when I (leave) school I (cut) my hair and (wear) it short ever since.
5 Shakespeare (write) a lot of plays.
6 My brother (write) several plays. He just (finish) his second tragedy.
7 I (fly) over Loch Ness last week. ~
You (see) the Loch Ness monster?
8 I (not see) him for three years. I wonder where he is.
9 He (not smoke) for two weeks. He is trying to give it up.
10 Chopin (compose) some of his music in Majorca.
The future simple
Put the verbs in brackets into the future simple.

1 I (know) the result in a week.

2 You (be) in Rome tonight.
3 You (have) time to help me tomorrow?
4 It (matter) if I don't come home till morning?
5 You (be) able to drive after another five lessons.
6 Do you think that he (recognize) me?
7 Unless he runs he (not catch) the train.
8 He (lend) it to you if you ask him.
9 I hope I (find) it.
10 If petrol pump attendants go on strike we (not have) any petrol.

The present continuous and the future simple

Put the verbs in brackets into the present continuous or the future simple using the present continuous
where possible.

1 I am sure that I (recognize) him.

2 I (see) her tomorrow. I
3 He (play) in a tennis match on Friday.
4 She (come) back on Monday.
5 I (go) again next year.
6 We (know) tonight.
7 You pay and I (owe) you the money.
8 I (believe) it when I see it.
9 I (have) my car repainted next week.
10 I hope that you (have) a good time tomorrow.

Will + infinitive and the be going to form

Put the verbs in brackets into one of these two forms.

1 The fire has gone out! ~

So it has. I (go) and get some sticks.
2 Did you remember to book seats? ~
Oh no, I forgot. I (telephone) for them now.
3 He has just been taken to hospital with a broken leg. ~
I'm sorry to hear that. I (send) him some grapes.
4 I've hired a typewriter and I (learn) to type.
5 I see that you have got a loom. You (do) some weaving?
6 I can't understand this letter. ~
I (call) my son. He (translate) it for you.
7 You (buy) meat? ~
No, I (not eat) meat any more. I (eat) vegetables.
8 You've bought a lot of paint. You (redecorate) your kitchen?
9 Why are you getting out the jack? ~
We have a puncture and I (change) the wheel. ~
I (help) you.
10 Look what I've just bought at an auction! ~
What an extraordinary thing! Where you (put) it?