TENSE FORMS 1111111111

English

TENSE FORMS

Exercise 1. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct present forms.
Well, I (1. never/win)________________ anything like this before ! I (2. only/enter)
________________ a few competitions in my life so this is a big surprise. Of course, I (3.watch)
________________TV quiz shows for years, but now I (4.think) ________________of taking part in more.
The prize is wonderful. We (5. stay) ________________here in Hawaii for ten days now and we (6. have)
________________a great time. We (7. already/see)_______________all the sights and my wife (8. buy)
_______________lots of souvenirs. We (9. send) ________________postcards to all our friends to show
them how we (10. spend) ________________our time. Yes, we really (11. enjoy)
________________ourselves. In fact, we (12. want) ________________to stay forever.
Exercise 2. Fill in with Present simple or Continuous.

1. A: I (1. see) ________________there’s a great film on at the cinema tonight. Would you like to go?

B: No, I (2. see) ________________the dentist about my toothache.

2. A: I (1. think) ________________about going on a picnic this afternoon.

B: I wouldn’t bother. I (2.think) ________________it’s going to rain.

3. A: Is John feeling Ok? He (1.look) _____________very red in the face.

B: Yes, I know. I (2. look) _____________for the doctor’s telephone number now.

4. A: How (1.you /like) _____________your stay in Budapest?

B: I am really enjoying myself. I particularly (2. like) _____________the Hungarian food.
5. A: Why (1.you/taste) _____________the stew?

B: I think you need to add some spices; it (2. taste) _____________a bit bland.
6. A: Why (1.you/feel) _____________the radiator, Dad?
B: I don’t think it’s working; it (2.feel) _____________very cold in here.
7. A: Tom (1.be) _____________usually a very quiet boy.
B: Yes, but he (2.be) _____________very noise today.
8. A: (1.you/have) _____________a car?
B: Yes, but I (have) _____________some problems with it, so it’s at the garage.
9. A: Why (1.you/smell) _____________the roses?
B: They always (2. smell) _____________so wonderful at this time of year.
Exercise 3. Fill in “has/have been to/in”, “has/have gone to”
1. Bertha’s not here. She __________________ the library.
2. I __________________Madrid, but I only spent a few days there.
3. “How long ________you________ Birmingham?” “For nearly two years.”
4. Tom is alone because his parents __________________the seaside for the weekend.
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5. Julia __________________the supermarket – she’ll be back in about an hour.

Exercise 4. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct present forms.
1. Alan (1. fly)_________________ to Barcelona tonight. He (2. already/pack) _________________his
suitcase but he (3. not/call) _________________a taxi yet. His plane (4.leave)
_________________at 8 p.m.
2. Ann and Sally (1. be) _________________flatmates. They sometimes (2. argue)
_________________because Sally (3. always/make) _________________a mess in the kitchen.
3. “Look over there! It’s John Cooper.” “Oh, yes! But he (1. look) _________________so different! He

(2. put on) _________________at least 15 kilos and I (3. think) _________________he (4. wear)
_________________a toupee.”
4. Ever since the accident Susan (1. be) _________________afraid to drive. Next week she (2. see)
_________________a psychologist who (3. specialize) _________________in that sort of problem.
5. “What a great match!” Johnson (1. pass) _________________the ball to Green, who (2. shoot)
_______________________and(3. score) _________________!”
6. “What on earth (1. you/do) _________________? Your clothes are all dirty!” “Well, I (2. work)
_________________in the garden all day. Look! I (3. already/plant) _________________a lot of
flowers. I (4. plan) _________________to cut the grass now.
Exercise 5. Fill in with Present Perfect or Past Simple.
1. A: “Is Paul there, please?”
B: “Sorry, he (leave) _________________about 10 minutes ago.” I think he (2. go)
_________________to the library.
2. A: I (1.live) _________________in Lisbon for two years now.
B: Really? What a coincidence! I (2.live) _________________there for a year before moving to
America.
3. A: I need a holiday. I (1. Only/have) _________________two days off this year.
B: Yes, but last year you (2.go) _________________ on holiday four times!
4. A: My father once (1. see) _________________Elvis Presley in Las Vegas.
B: Well, I (2. see) _________________his daughter, Lisa, many times. She lives near me.
5. A: The chairman (1. decide) _________________to retire.
B: Yes, actually he (2. inform) _______________the managing director of his decision this morning.
Exercise 6. Fill in “will” or “be going to”.
1. A: Why do you need so much sugar?
B: I (go)_____________ make a cake.
2. A: A: Oh no! I’ve left my purse at home and I haven’t got any money on me!
B: Don’t worry. I (lend) _____________you some.
3. A: I don’t know how to use this mixer.
B: That’s OK. I (show) _____________you.
4. A: Why are all these people gathered here?

B: The Prime Minister (open) _____________the new hospital ward.
5. A: Did you remember to buy the magazine I asked for?
B: Sorry, I didn’t. I (buy) _____________it when I go out again.
6. A: What’s that on your curtains?
B: It’s a stain. I (take) _____________them to the dry cleaner’s tomorrow.
7. A: These bags are very heavy. I can’t lift them.
B: I (carry) _____________them for you.
8. A: I hear you’re going to Leeds University in September.
B: Yes, I (study) _____________French and German.
9. A: Why don’t you tidy your room?
B: I (play) _____________football in ten minutes, so I haven’t got time.
Exercise 7. Complete the sentences using the words in bold. Use two to five words.
1. It’s a week since I last saw him. (seen)
→I _________________________________ a week.
2. When did she moved to France? (since)
→How long _________________________________to France?
3. He has never seen this film before. (ever)
→ It’s the first time _________________________________this film.
4. The last time he visited her was a week ago. (for)
→He _________________________________a week.
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5. They started eating as soon as the last guests arrived. (had)

→They waited until the _________________________________they started eating.

6. They stared learning computing two months ago. (been)
→They _________________________________two months.
7. It’s the fastest car I’ve ever driven. (never)
→I _________________________________fast car.
8. They haven’t come back yet. (still)
→They _________________________________back.
9. How long is it since he broke his leg? (break)
→When _________________________________his leg?
10. It’s the first time he’s ever seen a skyscraper. (never)
→He _________________________________before.
11. She started writing a novel a year ago. (been)
→She _________________________________for a year.
12. That’s the smallest car I’ve ever seen. (small)
→I have _________________________________car.
13. They didn’t go to bed until the programme had finished. (when)
→They _________________________________the programme finished.
14. I haven’t called Ted for a long time. (since)
→ It’s a long time _________________________________Ted.
15. She hasn’t sold the house yet. (still)
→She _________________________________house.
16. This is the most delicious meal I have ever eaten. (such)
→I have _________________________________meal.
17. I’ve never read that book before. (first)
→It’s the _________________________________that book.
18. She started cooking when he arrived. (until)
→She _________________________________she started cooking.
19. I haven’t been swimming for a week. (was)
→The last _________________________________a week ago.
20. He has been learning Russian for six months. (started)
→He _________________________________ago.

Exercise 8. Complete the sentence using the word in bold. Use between two and five words.

1. Paul lived in Brazil when he was young. (live)

→Paul _________________________in Brazil when he was
2. When he was in the army, he used to wake up at 5 o’clock in the morning. (would)
→When he was in the army, _________________________at 5 o’clock in the morning.
3. Rosa didn’t like English food at first, but now she quite likes it. (used)
→Rosa didn’t like English food at first but now ____________________________ it.
4. He meant to make a cup of tea but they had run out of teabags. (going)
→He ____________________________a cup of tea but they had run out of teabags.
5. I don’t think I’ll ever find it easy to eat with chopsticks. (used)
→I don’t think I’ll ever ____________________________with chopsticks.
6. My grandmother rarely travels by plane. (used)
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→My grandmother ____________________________by plane.
7. She wanted to call him but she couldn’t find his phone number. (going)
→ She ____________________________but she couldn’t find his phone number.
8. My mother always gave me a bath every Friday night when I was little. (would)
→My mother ____________________________a bath every Friday night when I was little.
Exercise 9. Underline the correct word.
1. She has gone to Singapore and she’s still/yet there.
2. He doesn’t want to watch the film as he’s seen it already/still.
3. Ann was on a diet five months before/ago. She lost three kilos.

4. She’s only been playing the violin for two years and she can already/still play several of Mozart’s
most difficult pieces.
5. Even after twenty-five years she is still/yet actively involved in the club.
6. Jo’s yet/still got a good figure even though she’s five months pregnant.
7. “Has Sandra typed up those reports yet/still? I need them now.”
8. Peter left the party two hours before/ago because he wasn’t feeling well.
9. She had come back ago/before he returned.
10. I can’t do the exam – I haven’t finished doing all my revision still/yet.
Exercise 10. Complete the sentence using the words in bold. Use two to five words.
1. She didn’t go out until after Philip had called. (before)
→ She waited until Philip __________________________________ out.
2. She started taking ballet lessons ten years ago. (been)
→ She __________________________________for ten years.
3. How long ago did he move to Canada? (moved)
→ How long __________________________________to Canada?
4. I’ve never driven such a fast car! (ever)
→It’s the __________________________________driven.
5. We haven’t been abroad for two years. (time)
→The last __________________________________two years ago.
6. How long is it since you visited Spain? (visit)
→When __________________________________Spain?
7. She has never eaten lobster before. (time)
→ It’s the first __________________________________lobster.
8. He hasn’t turned up yet. (still)
→He __________________________________up.
9. The last time I saw Emily was six months ago. (for)
→I __________________________________six months.
10. When did Patricia finish writing her essay? (since)
→ How long __________________________________writing her essay?
11. She took up knitting five years ago. (been)

→She __________________________________five years.
12. They have never been outside Britain before. (first)
→ It’s the __________________________________outside Britain.
13. He can’t speak Italian yet. (still)
→He __________________________________Italian.
14. How long is it since they met? (ago)
→How __________________________________meet?
15. They waited until sunrise before they got up. (get)
→ They __________________________________after sunrise.
16. I haven’t smoked a cigarette for six months. (since)
→It’s __________________________________a cigarette.
17. I’ve never seen such a pretty girl. (ever)
→She’s the __________________________________seen.
18. She didn’t start serving until all the guests had arrived. (before)
→ She waited until all the guests __________________________________serving.
19. Geoff hasn’t come back from his holiday yet. (still)
→ Geoff __________________________________from his holiday.
Exercise 11. Find the word which should not be in the sentence.
1. She is being looking for a new job these days.
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Jerry has been given me a lot of help.
Do they know what time does the plane leaves?
We have been gone to that restaurant twice this month.
He opened the door, switched off the light and had left the house.

Tony was used to live on a farm as a young boy.
Simon was being happy because he had been offered a scholarship.
They had returned from New York late last night.
We can leave as soon as we will have the results.
I am see what you mean.
The Mayor is be going to open the new school tomorrow.
Sue has joined our company four years ago.
He has to been working as a chef for twelve years.
As long as you will promise to be back before ten, you can go out.
The workers will have had finished the repairs by Wednesday.
He isn’t being used to addressing big audiences.
Is Fiona will going to get married in June?
He is owns a luxurious mansion.
Exercise 12. Complete the sentences using the words in bold. Use two to five words.
1. I’m sure it wasn’t Jim who phoned. (have)
→ It ______________________________ Jim who phoned.
2. They say he was the best footballer of the decade. (said)
→He ______________________________the best footballer of the decade.
3. It wasn’t necessary for us to get a visa to visit Spain. (need)
→We ______________________________a visa to visit Spain.
4. I’m sure she has already left the office. (have)
→She ______________________________the office.
5. When did you get a letter from him? (since)
→How long ______________________________a letter from him?
6. Mr Pearce didn’t take up golf until he retired. (took)
→It wasn’t until Mr Pearce ______________________________golf.
7. He advises people on buying and selling houses. (advice)
→ He ______________________________buying and selling houses.
8. It might snow this Christmas. (possibility)
→There ______________________________this Christmas.

9. The accident wasn’t my fault. (blame)
→I ______________________________the accident.
10. January was the last time I saw him. (since)
→I ______________________________January.
11. The book was so difficult that I couldn’t understand it. (for)
→ The book was ______________________________understand..
12. Tom didn’t feel like going out. (mood)
→ Tom wasn’t ______________________________out.
Exercise 13. Give the correct form of the words in brackets.
There comes a time when not having a car becomes (0.practical)___________ . Choosing your first
car is an (1. excite) ___________experience. Most men’s (2.imagine) ___________is so vivid that they see
themselves speeding along in a (3.power) ___________sports car, attracting (4.envy) ___________looks
from those they pass. In (5. real) ___________this does not happen that often. More practical and
(6.finance) ___________aspects have to be considered when choosing a car. The (7.choose)
___________normally between a small city car which is (8.economy) ___________to run and easy to park
and a larger family car which would be more (9.comfort) ___________and probably be fitted with more
(10.safe) ___________features.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

15.
16.
17.
18.

Exercise 14. Fill in the correct preposition.

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Success depends _______ good organization.
18. He was found guilty ______six robberies.
The old woman died _______pneumonia.
19. There’s no excuse _____his terrible behavior.
He had difficulty _______understanding her.
20. He’s an expert ______Middle-Eastern
mythology.
The helicopter crashed ______a hill.
21.
The
plumber
was
an
expert
She’s very fond ______ her grandchildren.
______unblocking drains.

He doesn’t care ______his appearance.
22. If there’s a delay ______claiming the money,
She was very disappointed ______her rise.
you’ll never get it back.
Tom is envious ______his friends.
23.
He’s experienced ______archaeology.
He was delighted ______his presents.
24. The little girl dreams ______the same
They decided ______a quiet wedding.
fearsome monster every night.
Pisa is famous ______its Leaning Tower.
25.
I would never dream ______leaving you.
She was furious _____him______ being late.
26.
His
failure ______appear in court lead to his
We are grateful ______you______ your help.
being
fined.
Have you heard ______Aunt Sheila?
27. Her failure ______the exams disappointed
Did you hear ______the robbery?
her.
Have you heard ______this singer?
28.
She is efficient ______typing.
Smoking is harmful ______one’s health.
Exercise 15. Fill in the blank with ONE suitable word.

Since the Channel Tunnel opened, getting to France has never been (0.)_____easy. The fastest train
arrives (1.) _____Calais thirty-five minutes after (2.)_____departure from England, and from there travelers
can easily (3.) _____some of the (4.) _____picturesque towns in France (5.) _____Le Touquest and
Honfleur. The former is a pleasant resort (6.) _____was originally created for rich cosmopolitan Britons (7.)
_____the turn of the century. As a(8.)____, it still retains an air of faded, fashionable beauty. The town
(9.)_____has a numerous boutiques selling the latest designer clothes from Paris. In (10.) _____, there is a
beautiful beach which makes a good place for a walk or a swim (11.) _____the weather is hot enough.
Honfleur is another port which is becoming a popular destination (12.) _____the British. Tourists are
attracted (13.) _____it because of its quaint atmosphere. The small commercial area is surrounded (14.)
_____tall narrow houses and outdoor cafes which spread onto the cobbled quays. Honfleur also boasts some
of the best restaurants in (15.) _____north of France, which is another of its attractions.
Exercise 16. Fill in “do” or “make” in the correct form.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

1. Have you _______ the washing up yet?
2. Will you _______me a favor?
3. She tried to _______a soufflé but it was a

9. Don’t take so many pills. They won’t

4. Don’t _______such a fuss about unimportant

11. She _______a fortune selling cosmetics.
12. After eight years of war, both countries

complete failure.

5.
6.
7.
8.

things.
She_______ a very good impression at the
interview yesterday.
They’ve already _______all the preparations
for the party.
I promise I’ll _______my best to make it
work.
I don’t think this _______any sense.

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_______you any good.

10. I’m not feeling well. I’d better _______an

appointment with the doctor.

agreed to _______peace.
13. He _______a very good job mending my
roof.
14. I can’t believe this is my old house. You
_______wonders with it!
15. The oil-producing companies _______an
agreement to keep the prices low this year.