Tenses
Tenses, in English grammar, are structures used to express the time of actions and the relationships between different points in time. English has various tenses to indicate different time frames and aspects of actions. Here are some commonly used tenses:
These are just a few examples of the different tenses in English. Each tense has its own rules and usage, and mastering them is important for effective communication in English. |
Tenses
Exercise -1Choose either the simple present or the present progressive form for the verbs in parentheses.
Answers :
1- Most of the people in Korea play a sport. Answer: play 2- He understands everything the teacher says. Answer: understands 3- When the party ends, we’ll all go home by bus. Answer: ends 4- His sister goes to work by train every day. Answer: goes 5- The boss needs more time to work on the project right now. Answer: needs 6- Her father is wearing his winter coat today. Answer: is wearing 7- That old sweater looks new. Answer: looks 8- I’ll wait for you until the movie begins. Answer: begins 9- Most students make career plans before they graduate. Answer: make 10- The students in my class this semester are making a lot of progress in learning English. Answer: are making |
Tenses
TensesExercise -2
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1. This food ( is smelling / smells ) delicious. |
2. He ( is going / goes ) to the gym every week. |
3. Right now Tony ( is washing / washes ) his car. |
4. Laurie always ( goes / is going ) to work at seven. |
5. He usually ( phones / is phoning ) in the evening. |
6. We ( go / are going ) to the movies at six tonight. |
7. It may sound strange but I ( believe / am believing ) his story. |
8. I ( remember / am remembering ) my first day at school. |
Answers :
1.smells | 2.goes | 3.is washing | 4.goes |
5. phones | 6.are going | 7.believe | 8.remember |
1- his food smells delicious.
2- He goes to the gym every week.
3- Right now Tony is washing his car.
4- Laurie always goes to work at seven.
4- He usually phones in the evening.
6- We are going to the movies at six tonight.
7- It may sound strange but I believe his story.
8- I remember my first day at school.
Tenses
Exercise 3
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1. At three o’clock in the morning Mary ( was reading / read ) . |
2. I ( was calling / called ) Linda at ten last night. |
3. While I ( watched / was watching ) TV, I heard a strange noise. |
4. When Bob ( arrived / was arriving ) everyone was eating. |
5. While I was studying, my roommate ( listened / was listening ) to the radio. |
6. Jerry ( bought / was buying ) a new car last month. |
7. When I heard the knock on the door, I ( opened / was opening ) it. |
8. He ( went / was going ) to the library when he suddenly met her pass by. |
Answers :
1. was reading 2. | 2. called | 3. was watching | 4. arrived |
5. was listening | 6. bought | 7. opened | 8. was going |
1- At three o’clock in the morning, Mary was reading.
2- I called Linda at ten last night.
3- While I was watching TV, I heard a strange noise.
4- When Bob arrived, everyone was eating.
5- While I was studying, my roommate was listening to the radio.
6- Jerry bought a new car last month.
7- When I heard the knock on the door, I opened it.
8- He was going to the library when he suddenly met her passing by.
Tenses
Exercise- 4Most of the sentences contain one mistake. Write True ( T ) or False ( F ) . Correct mistakes.
Answers :
1- The coffee smells wonderful. (Correction: True) 2- Last year we visited the States. (True) 3- The ship sank because the engineer didn’t call for help until it was already sinking. (Correction: True) 4- The reason I get fat is that I always taste things while I’m cooking. (Correction: True) 5- How is Jennifer? Does her health improve? (Correction: False. Should be “Is her health improving?”) 6- You’re quite right. I completely agree with you. (Correction: True) 7- What did you do after you left school? (Correction: True) 8- Now I understand what you’re trying to say! (True) 9- I can’t imagine why you believed all those rumors. (Correction: True) 10- Martin looked forward to a peaceful weekend when his brother arrived with all his friends from the football club. (Correction: False. Should be “Martin was looking forward to a peaceful weekend when his brother arrived with all his friends from the football club.”) 11- Philippa heard the result of the election as she was driving to work, so she called me when she got there. (True) 12- Oh, I’m sorry, I’ve spilt some tea. Where do you keep the paper towels? (Correction: True) |
Tenses
Exercise 5
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1. She ( feel ) sick after she ( eat ) a whole box of chocolates. |
2. After the doctor ( examine ) the child he ( have ) a talk with the mother. |
3. When I ( call ) on my friend, he ( go ) out. |
4. Mary ( finish ) her homework when her father ( come ) home from his office. |
5. I ( throw ) away the newspaper after I ( read ) it. |
6. After she ( spend ) all her money she ( ask ) her father to help her. |
7. The teacher ( give ) back the exercise books after he ( correct ) them. |
8. The sun ( rise ) when the farmer ( start ) work. |
Answers:
1. felt, had eaten | 5. threw, had read |
2. had examined, had | 6. had spent, asked |
3. called, had gone | 7. gave, had corrected |
4. finished, had come | 8. rose, had started |
1- She felt sick after she had eaten a whole box of chocolates.
2- After the doctor had examined the child, he had a talk with the mother.
3- When I called on my friend, he had gone out.
4- Mary finished her homework when her father came home from his office.
5- I threw away the newspaper after I had read it.
6- After she had spent all her money, she asked her father to help her.
7- The teacher gave back the exercise books after he had corrected them.
8- The sun rose when the farmer had started working.
Tenses
Exercise 6
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1. She ( study ) since six o’clock this morning. |
2. Helen ( leave ) by the time we arrived. |
3. John ( be ) to Italy. |
4. The teacher returned the papers we ( prepare ) for her. |
5. I ( know ) him for many years. |
6. He ( work ) there for six years when he decided to quit. |
7. She ( make ) ten long-distance telephone calls this morning. |
8. David ( write ) letters all morning. |
Answers :
1. has been studying | 5. have know |
2. had left | 6. had been working |
3. has been | 7. has made |
4. had prepared | 8. has been writing |
1- She has been studying since six o’clock this morning.
2- Helen had left by the time we arrived.
3- John has been to Italy.
4- The teacher returned the papers we had prepared for her.
5- I have known him for many years.
6- He had been working there for six years when he decided to quit.
7- She has made ten long-distance telephone calls this morning.
8- David has been writing letters all morning.
Tenses
Exercise 7
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1. Before Mr. Kaufman’s fourth child was born he ( buy / past perfect ) a heavy-duty clothes washer. |
2. Unfortunately, Adam ( forget/ past perfect ) to attend his memory skills seminar. |
3. By this time tomorrow, Tim ( drive / future perfect ) across four states. |
4. Ira showed me the rubber snake he ( win / past perfect ) at the state fair. |
5. Scientists ( measure / present perfect ) winds of more than 150 miles an hour during severe thunderstorms. |
6. Over the summer Ronnie ( leam / past perfect ) to dance the rumba, the tango, and the lambada. |
7. By Tuesday I ( spend / future perfect ) my whole pay check. |
8. Arthur ( take / present perfect ) four days off this week in order to participate in a croquet tournament. |
9. By next year Eloise and Isaac ( build / future perfect ) their own log cabin. |
10. Carmel’s mathematics professor ( inspire / present perfect ) her to become a math major. |
Answers :
1. had bought | 6. had learned |
2. had forgotten | 7. will have spent |
3. will have driven | 8. has taken |
4. had won | 9. will have built |
5. have measured | 10. has inspired |
1- Before Mr. Kaufman’s fourth child was born, he had bought a heavy-duty clothes washer.
2- Unfortunately, Adam had forgotten to attend his memory skills seminar.
3- By this time tomorrow, Tim will have driven across four states.
4- Ira showed me the rubber snake he had won at the state fair.
5- Scientists have measured winds of more than 150 miles an hour during severe thunderstorms.
6- Over the summer, Ronnie had learned to dance the rumba, the tango, and the lambada.
7- By Tuesday, I will have spent my whole paycheck.
8- Arthur has taken four days off this week in order to participate in a croquet tournament.
9- By next year, Eloise and Isaac will have built their own log cabin.
10- Carmel’s mathematics professor has inspired her to become a math major.
Tenses
Exercise 8
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1. Everything is going well. We didn’t have / haven’t had any problems so far. |
2. Margaret didn’t go / hasn’t gone to work yesterday. |
3. Look! That man over there wears / is wearing the same sweater as you. |
4. Your son is much taller than when I last saw him. He grew / has grown a lot. |
5. I still don’t know what to do. I didn’t decide / haven’t decided yet. |
6. I wonder why Jim is / is being so nice to me today. He isn’t usually like that. |
7. Jane had a book open in front of her but she didn’t read / wasn’t reading it. |
8. I wasn’t very busy. I didn’t have / wasn’t having much to do. |
9. Mary wasn’t happy in her new job at first but she begins / is beginning to enjoy it now. |
10. After leaving school, Tim found / has found it very difficult to get a job. |
11. When Sue heard the news, she wasn’t / hasn’t been very pleased. |
12. This is a nice restaurant, isn’t it? Is this the first time you are / you’ve been here? |
13. I need a new job. I’m doing / I’ve been doing the same job for too long. |
14. Ann has gone out. — Oh, has she? What time did she go / has she gone? |
15. You look tired. — Yes, I’ve played /I’ve been playing basketball. |
16. Where are you coming / do you come from? Are you American? |
17. I’d like to see Tina again. It’s a long time since I saw her / that I didn’t see her. |
18. Bob and Alice have been married since 20 years / for 20 years. |
Answers :
1. haven’t had | 7. wasn’t reading | 13. I’ve been doing |
2. didn’t go | 8. didn’t have | 14. did she go |
3. is wearing | 9. is beginning | 15. I’ve been playing |
4. has grown | 10. found | 16. do you come |
5. haven’t decided | 11. wasn’t | 17. since I saw her |
6. is being | 12. you’ve been | 18.for 20 years |
1- Everything is going well. We haven’t had any problems so far.
2- Margaret didn’t go to work yesterday.
3- Look! That man over there is wearing the same sweater as you.
4- Your son is much taller than when I last saw him. He has grown a lot.
5- I still don’t know what to do. I haven’t decided yet.
6- I wonder why Jim is being so nice to me today. He isn’t usually like that.
7- Jane had a book open in front of her but she wasn’t reading it.
8- I wasn’t very busy. I didn’t have much to do.
9- Mary wasn’t happy in her new job at first but she is beginning to enjoy it now.
10- After leaving school, Tim found it very difficult to get a job.
11- When Sue heard the news, she wasn’t very pleased.
12- This is a nice restaurant, isn’t it? Is this the first time you’ve been here?
13- I need a new job. I’ve been doing the same job for too long.
14- Ann has gone out. Oh, has she? What time did she go?
15- You look tired. Yes, I’ve been playing basketball.
16- Where do you come from? Are you American?
17- I’d like to see Tina again. It’s a long time since I saw her.
18- Bob and Alice have been married for 20 years.
Tenses
Exercise 9
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1. I ( finish ) my homework by the time I go out. |
2. When my brother ( arrive ) we will have a party. |
3. At this time next year he ( live ) in Hawaii. |
4. As soon as it stops raining we ( leave ) . |
5. By the time you come, he ( study ) for two hours. |
6. John ( buy ) a house next year. |
7. He ( come ) late. |
8. They ( play ) for three hours by the time we have dinner. |
Answers :
1. will have finished | 6. will buy / is going to buy |
2. arrives | 7. will come |
3. will be living | 8. will have been playing / will have |
4. will leave played | |
5. will have studied / will have been studying |
1- I will have finished my homework by the time I go out.
2- When my brother arrives, we will have a party.
3- At this time next year, he will be living in Hawaii.
4- As soon as it stops raining, we will leave.
5- By the time you come, he will have studied for two hours.
6- John will buy a house next year.
7- He will come late.
8- They will have been playing for three hours by the time we have dinner.
Tenses
Exercise-10
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1. Mary always ( buys / is buying ) a lot of clothes. |
2. He ( looked / was looking ) at the picture when we saw him. |
3. Somebody ( was breaking / broke ) two windows last night. |
4. He ( thought / was thinking ) about his mother when the door opened. |
5. The President ( thought / was thinking ) that the war should stop. |
6. How long is it since you ( were buying / bought ) that coat? |
7. Shut up, John! You ( are / are being ) very noisy today! |
8. I can’t remember all the film, but I’m sure I must ( have seen / have been seen ) it before. |
9. I’ll give you a ring when I’m in Paris. Where ( will you stay / will you be staying ) ? |
10. I don’t know where Henry is. He should ( have arrived / have been arriving ) long before this. |
Answers :
1. buys | 2. was looking | 3. broke | 4. was thinking | 5. thought | 6. bought |
7. are / are being | 8. have seen | 9. will you be staying | 10. have arrived |
1- Mary always buys a lot of clothes.
2- He was looking at the picture when we saw him.
3- Somebody broke two windows last night.
4- He was thinking about his mother when the door opened.
5- The President thought that the war should stop.
6- How long is it since you bought that coat?
7- Shut up, John! You are / are being very noisy today! (Both forms are correct)
8- I can’t remember all the film, but I’m sure I must have seen it before.
9- I’ll give you a ring when I’m in Paris. Where will you be staying?
10- I don’t know where Henry is. He should have arrived long before this.
Exercise-11
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1. He is working for Sony since he came to the United States. |
2. Most of the children in my country are wearing a uniform to school. |
3. A teacher doesn’t want to have students in her class who had caused a lot of trouble. |
4. In kindergarten, teachers usually are teaching students the alphabet and the spelling of simple words. |
5. In the picture, the woman who sits in the middle looks like the most powerful member of the family. |
6. We see a lot of changes in China because right now a lot of people trying hard to educate themselves. |
7. This is the first time that my brother was in the hospital. |
8. They are sitting in the restaurant for the last three hours. |
9. They will start building a new house as soon as they will get a mortgage. |
10. Most people are doing exercises after work. |
Answers :
1. has been working | 2. wear | 3. cause | 4. teach | 5. is sitting |
6. are trying | 7. has been | 8. have been sitting | 9. get | 10. do |
1- He has been working for Sony since he came to the United States.
2- Most of the children in my country wear a uniform to school.
3- A teacher doesn’t want to have students in her class who have caused a lot of trouble.
4- In kindergarten, teachers usually teach students the alphabet and the spelling of simple words.
5- In the picture, the woman who is sitting in the middle looks like the most powerful member of the family.
6- We see a lot of changes in China because right now a lot of people are trying hard to educate themselves.
7- This is the first time that my brother has been in the hospital.
8- They have been sitting in the restaurant for the last three hours.
9- They will start building a new house as soon as they get a mortgage.
10- Most people do exercises after work.
Exercise-12
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1. I have been in Mexico during the summer of 1970. |
2. Mary had prepared dinner when I arrived, so we were able to eat immediately. |
3. Three years ago he had been a student at a university in California. |
4. We have collected stamps for many years. |
5. We took the bus downtown, did a few errands, and had gone to lunch. |
6. Since he bought a new car, he has been driving to work every day. |
7. Last night they have recognized us from the party we went to earlier in the week. |
8. Since Ted graduated, he has been working with his father. |
9. The doctor had seen ten patients since eight o’clock this morning. |
10. He is studying English for the last five years. |
Answers :
1- F, I was in Mexico during the summer of 1970.
2- T
3- F, Three years ago he was a student at a university in California.
4- T
5- F, We took the bus downtown, did a few errands, and went to lunch.
6- T
7- F, Last night they recognized us from the party we went to earlier in the week.
8- T
9- T
10- F, He has been studying English for the last five years.
Tenses
Exercise-13
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1. Who speaks French in your family?— I ………A ) have B ) do C ) am |
2. When …….. you buy the new TV set?A ) did B ) were C ) are |
3. We …….. never been to London.A ) had B ) were C ) have |
4. Where …….. you going when I met you last night?A ) did B ) were C ) are |
5. …….. your friend like to watch TV in the evening?A ) do B ) does C ) is |
6. What are you doing?— I …….. reading a book.A ) was B ) am C ) is |
7. We thought they …….. be late.A ) would B ) shall C ) will |
8. Many new buildings …….. built in our town last year.A ) had B ) are C ) were |
9. The letter …….. sent tomorrow.A ) will be B ) has C ) will |
10. I …….. Dick today.A ) haven’t seen B ) hadn’t seen C ) didn’t see |
11. Were you tired after skiing yesterday?— Yes, I ………A ) were B ) did C ) was |
12. When we came into the hall they …….. this problem.A ) were discussing B ) discussed C ) have discussed |
13. We …….. from the institute in five years.A ) have graduated B ) graduated C ) shall graduate |
14. Don’t go out. It…….. hard.A ) is raining B ) was raining C ) rains |
15. They …….. the institute five years ago.A ) have entered B ) entered C ) had entered |
16. Does the professor …….. a lot of experience?A ) has B ) have C ) had |
17. Did he …….. the weekend in the country?A ) spent B ) spend C ) spends |
18. I shall call you as soon as I …….. home.A ) came B ) shall come C ) come Tenses |
19. The report …….. ready by 6 o’clock yesterday.A ) was B ) has been C ) had been |
20. She usually …….. to bed very early.A ) goes B ) has gone C ) going What auxiliary verbs will be used to put a question to the following sentences: A ) do B ) did C ) does D ) had |
21. Mary goes in for skating.A ) do B ) did C ) does D ) had |
22. I like skiing in the forest.A ) do B ) did C ) does D ) had |
23. First spring flowers appeared in the fields.A ) do B ) did C ) does D ) had |
24. She had to miss the last lecture. Choose the English equivalents for the words given in brackets:
|
25.The meeting ( ? ) at 5 o’clock.A ) has begun B ) began C ) was beginning |
26.At 5 o’clock yesterday I ( ? ) to the station.A ) was going B ) was gone C ) went |
27. I ( ? ? ) this text yet.A ) didn’t translate B ) haven’t translated C ) hadn’t translated |
Answers:
1. C | 2. A | 3. C | 4. A | 5. B | 6. B | 7. A | 8. C | 9. A | 10. A |
11. C | 12. A | 13. B | 14. A | 15. B | 16. B | 17. B | 18. C | 19. C | 20. A |
21. C | 22. C | 23. B | 24. ? | 25. B | 26. C | 27. B |
1- Who speaks French in your family? — I ……… (C) am.
2- When …….. you buy the new TV set? — When ……… (A) did.
3- We …….. never been to London. — We …….. (C) have.
4- Where …….. you going when I met you last night? — Where ……… (A) did.
.5- ……. your friend like to watch TV in the evening? — …….. (B) Does.
6- What are you doing? — I …….. (B) am reading a book.
7- We thought they …….. be late. — We thought they …….. (A) would.
8- Many new buildings …….. built in our town last year. — Many new buildings …….. (C) were.
9- The letter …….. sent tomorrow. — The letter …….. (A) will be.
10- I …….. Dick today. — I …….. (A) haven’t seen.
11- Were you tired after skiing yesterday? — Yes, I …….. (C) was.
12- When we came into the hall they …….. this problem. — When we came into the hall they …….. (A) were discussing.
13- We …….. from the institute in five years. — We …….. (B) graduated.
14- Don’t go out. It…….. hard. — Don’t go out. It…….. (A) is raining.
15- They …….. the institute five years ago. — They …….. (B) entered.
16- Does the professor …….. a lot of experience? — Does the professor …….. (B) have.
17- Did he …….. the weekend in the country? — Did he …….. (B) spend.
18- I shall call you as soon as I …….. home. — I shall call you as soon as I …….. (C) come home.
19- The report …….. ready by 6 o’clock yesterday. — The report …….. (C) had been ready.
20- She usually …….. to bed very early. — She usually …….. (A) goes.
21- Mary goes in for skating. — …….. (C) Does.
22- I like skiing in the forest. — I …….. (C) do.
23- First spring flowers appeared in the fields. — First spring flowers …….. (B) did.
24- She had to miss the last lecture. – had to – miss – last – son
25- The meeting ( ? ) at 5 o’clock. — The meeting …….. (B) began.
26- At 5 o’clock yesterday I ( ? ) to the station. — At 5 o’clock yesterday I …….. (C) went to the station.
27- I ( ? ? ) this text yet. — I …….. (B) haven’t translated this text yet
Tenses
Exercise-14
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1. How long …….. you …….. English?A ) do …….. learn B ) have …….. been learning C ) are …….. learning |
2. She …….. tennis since she was eight.A ) has been playing B ) plays C ) is playing |
3. Bob has a black eye and Bill has a cut lip. Bob and Bill ………A ) were fighting B ) fought C ) have been fighting |
4. You have just arrived to meet your friend who is waiting for you. …….. he …….. long?A ) has …….. been waiting B ) has …….. waited C ) does …….. wait |
5. George smokes. He …….. for five years.A ) is smoking B ) has been smoking C ) has smoked |
6. We …….. with my model railway since early morning, — said Jim.A ) are playing B ) play C ) have been playing |
7. Linda is from Australia. Mow she is travelling round Europe. She began her tour three months ago. She …….. six countries so far.A ) has visited B ) has been visiting C ) visited |
8. There is a strange smell in the kitchen. …….. you …….. something?A ) Did …….. cook B ) Have …….. cooked C ) Have …….. been cooking |
9. Tom’s hands are very dirty. He …….. his car for the whole morning.A ) has repaired B ) was repairing C ) has been repairing |
10. Jim …….. tennis three times this week.A ) has been playing B ) has played C ) is playing |
11. Somebody …….. all my porridge. The plate is empty.A ) has eaten B ) has been eaten C ) is eating |
12. He …….. our family since we came to London.A ) has been knowing B ) knew C ) has known |
13. I …….. Ann for a long time.A ) haven’t seen B ) didn’t see C ) has known Tenses |
14. I was very tired when I arrived home. I …….. hard all day.A ) was working B ) had worked C ) had been working |
15.Tom was watching TV. He was feeling very tired. He …….. all day.A ) was studying B ) had been studying C ) studying |
16.I tried to call Jack but I couldn’t. He …….. very fast.
A ) had been running B ) ran C ) was running |
17. We …….. along the road for about 20 minutes when a car stopped and the driver offered us a lift.A ) were walking B ) had been walking C ) walked |
18. When I arrived, Ann …….. for me.A ) was waiting B ) had been waiting C ) had waited. |
19. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins …….. in the south of France for six months when Mr. Jenkins died.A ) lived B ) were living C ) had been living |
20. When I arrived, everyone was sitting around the table with their mouths full. They ………A ) had been eating B ) were eating C ) ate |
Answers :
1. B | 2. A | 3. C | 4. A | 5. B | 6. C | 7. A | 8. C | 9. C | 10. B |
11. A | 12. C | 13. A | 14. C | 15. B | 16. C | 17. B | 18. A | 19. C | 20. B |
1- How long …….. you …….. English? — How long …….. (B) have …….. been learning.
2- She …….. tennis since she was eight. — She …….. (A) has been playing.
3- Bob has a black eye and Bill has a cut lip. Bob and Bill ……… — Bob and Bill …….. (C) have been fighting.
4- You have just arrived to meet your friend who is waiting for you. …….. he …….. long? — …….. (A) Has …….. been waiting.
5- George smokes. He …….. for five years. — He …….. (B) has been smoking.
6- We …….. with my model railway since early morning, — said Jim. — We …….. (C) have been playing.
7- Linda is from Australia. Mow she is travelling round Europe. She began her tour three months ago. She …….. six countries so far. — She …….. (A) has visited.
8- There is a strange smell in the kitchen. …….. you …….. something? — …….. (C) Have …….. been cooking.
9- Tom’s hands are very dirty. He …….. his car for the whole morning. — He …….. (C) has been repairing.
10- Jim …….. tennis three times this week. — Jim …….. (B) has played.
11- Somebody …….. all my porridge. The plate is empty. — Somebody …….. (A) has eaten.
12- He …….. our family since we came to London. — He …….. (C) has known.
13- I …….. Ann for a long time. — I …….. (A) haven’t seen.
14- I was very tired when I arrived home. I …….. hard all day. — I …….. (C) had been working.
15.15- Tom was watching TV. He was feeling very tired. He …….. all day. — He …….. (B) had been studying.
16.16- I tried to call Jack but I couldn’t. He …….. very fast. — He …….. (C) was running.
17- We …….. along the road for about 20 minutes when a car stopped and the driver offered us a lift. — We …….. (B) had been walking.
18- When I arrived, Ann …….. for me. — When I arrived, Ann …….. (A) was waiting.
19- Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins …….. in the south of France for six months when Mr. Jenkins died. — Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins …….. (C) had been living.
20- When I arrived, everyone was sitting around the table with their mouths full. They ……… — They …….. (B) were eating.
Tenses
Tenses in English, Statements – Exercise
Tenses |
Tenses