Tenses

Top Notch Fundamentals

“Tenses Review”

Material developed by Gabriela Feeney

THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

INTRODUCTION:

Simple Present is also called “Present Simple.” The Simple Present expresses

an action in the present taking place once, never or several times. It is also

used for actions that take place one after another and for actions that are set by

a timetable or schedule. The Simple Present also expresses facts in the

present.

EXAMPLES:

I never go out for lunch when it’s weekend and I have some money.

My neighbor Mary loves going to the beach in the summer.

It snows a lot in Alaska when it is winter.

STRUCTURES:

Subject Affirmative Negative Yes/No Questions

Information Questions

I study don’t study Do I study? What do I study?You knit don’t knit Do you knit? How do you knit?

She/He/It jumps doesn’t jump Does she jump? Who jumps?We/You/They sing don’t sing Do we sing? What time do we

sing?

REMEMBER:

Use Simple Present with the Verb “to be” too:

Valerie and Joseph are really good friends since they were little kids.

1

PRACTICING GRAMMAR

A) Which answers are correct? Check.

1) Which sentences/questions are in

the Simple Present?

Do you speak Spanish?

He's 15.

I'm in room 201.

She didn't help her mother.

She doesn't like milk.

She drives a car.

We are reading a book.

2) Which of the following words are

used with the Simple Present?

always

at the moment

every day

now

often

sometimes

yesterday

3) Which verb forms go with the

Simple Present?

Infinitive

Infinitive + -ed

Infinitive + -ing

Infinitive + s

have + Infinitive + -ed

B) Negate the sentences.

Example: He works on the computer. - He does

not work on the computer.

1) Anne and Sue carry a box.

2) I run to school.

3) Mr. Smith teaches French.

C) Form questions.

Example: where / they / to have / breakfast

Where do they have breakfast?

1) Marie and Joe / to like / homework

2) Frank / to read / comics

3) what / they / to eat / for breakfast

D) Fill in the verbs in brackets into the gaps.

Example: He never writes a letter.

1) She to Menorca every

summer. (to fly)

2) Jill two children. (to have)

3) The boys computer

games. (not/to play)

2

E) Which sentences/questions are correct?

1) Which negative sentence is in the Simple

Present?

He do not reads a book.

He does not read a book.

He is not reading a book.

He not read a book.

2) Which sentence is in the Simple

Present?

He has read a book.

He is reading a book.

He read a book.

He reads a book.

He will read a book.

3) Which question is in the Simple

Present?

Do she work in an office?

Do she works in an office?

Does she work in an office?

Work she in an office?

Works she in an office?

F) Fill in the correct verb forms.

1) Mandy and Susan _________ films

every weekend.

a) watch b) watches

2) The girls __________ the shopping.

a) does b) do

3) Do you___________ milk in your

tea?

a) likes b) like

4) ______ I correct?

a) am b) is c)are

5) Every morning my mother

__________ at 6 o'clock.

a) get up b) gets up

6) It _________ a beautiful day today.

a) am b) is c)are

7) His friend __________ to school.

a) go b) goes

8) Andy ____________ the family car.

a) washes b) wash

9) John often ____________ handball.

a) plays b) play

10) Mr. Black ____________ e-mails in

the evenings.

a) write b) writes

H) Put the verbs into the correct form.

1. I (to like) __________ lemonade very much.

2. The girls always (to listen) __________ to

pop music.

3. Janet never (to wear) __________ jeans.

4. Mr Smith (to teach) ___________ Spanish

and French.

5. You (to do) ____________ your homework

after school.

I) Make negative sentences.

1. My father makes breakfast. →

2. They are eleven. →

3. She writes a letter. →

4. I speak Italian. →

5. Danny phones his father on Sundays. →

J) Make questions.

1. you / to speak / English →

2. when / he / to go / home →

3. they / to clean / the bathroom →

4. where / she / to ride / her bike →

5. Billy / to work / in the supermarket →

K) Find the signal words for simple

present.

1. Which is a signal word for simple present?

now last Monday often


sometimes at the moment

yesterday


last Friday every Friday

next Friday

4. Which is not a signal word for simple

present?

never already usually

5. Which is not a signal word for simple

present?

Listen! first ... then ...

seldom

L) Put the verbs into the correct form.

1. I (to listen) to music

every day.

2. Simon (to collect)

stamps.

3. We (to wash) the dishes

once a day.

4. My mother always (to make)

breakfast.

5. Sarah usually (to meet)

Maria at the tennis club.

M) Put the verbs into the correct form.

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1. Mr Williams often (to teach)

the dogs new tricks.

2. They always (to throw)

their litter in the bin.

3. The referee usually (to stop)

the game after 90

minutes.

4. The kids (to hurry) to

open their presents.

5. This car can (to do) 250

km/h.

N) Rewrite the sentences in the short

form (where the long form is given) or in

the long form (where the short form is

given).

1. She has a nice mobile. →

2. We don't use a computer. →

3. Johnny does not swim in the lake. →

4. They are from Budapest, Hungary. →

5. This isn't my cup of tea. →

6. Danny goes to school from Monday to

Friday. →

7. My rabbit has a cage in the garden. →

8. The children like cats because they are

nice. →

9. Jenny is never late. →

10. Andrew's new mountain bike costs

$1000. →

O) Write the third person singular. Note

that sometimes there are exceptions in

spelling.

1. can - he

2. cry - she

3. say - he

4. go - she

5. kiss - he

P) Choose the correct signal word.

1. I go to the cinema _________________.

a) now b) every week c) yesterday

2. We play volleyball ______________________.

a)on fridays b) now c) next year

3. _________________ we spend our holidays in

Ireland.

a)usually b) in a week c) right now

4. I speak English ______________________.

a)now b) at the moment c) last night

5. Jamie cycles to work __________________.

a)this week b) next month c) twice a week

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“Tenses Review”


THE PRESENT CONTINOUOS TENSE

INTRODUCTION:

It is also called “The Present Progressive Tense”. The Present Continuous

puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action. It is used for actions

going on in the moment of speaking and for actions taking place only for a

short period of time. It is also used to express development and actions that

are arranged for the near future.

EXAMPLES:

I am reading this sentence right now.

The BNA08 class is studying English from Monday to Friday at 9:40.

Elizabeth is buying new clothes next month when she gets paid.

STRUCTURES:

Subject Affirmative Negative Yes/No Questions Information Questions

I am playing am not playing Am I playing? Where am I playing?

You are sewing are not sewing Are you sewing? What are you sewing?

She/He/It is eating is not eating Is he eating? Who is eating?

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We/You/They are cooking are not cooking Are they cooking? When are they cooking?

PRACTICING GRAMMAR

A) Fill in the correct verb forms.

1) I ____________ sending a text message.

2) We ____________ making sandwiches.

3) The teacher ___________ checking the homework.

4) George ______________ wearing a pullover today.

B) Which sentences/questions are correct?

1) In which sentence is the Present Progressive used correctly?

Andrew am washing the dishes.

Andrew are washing the dishes.

Andrew is washing the dishes.

2) Which sentence is in the Present Progressive?

I am reading a comic now.

I reading a comic now.

I' m reading a comic now.

I'm reading a comic now.

3) Which question is in the Present Progressive?

Does he sing in the bathroom?

Is he singing in the bathroom?

Singing he in the bathroom?

4) Which sentence is in the Present Progressive?

He has read a book.

He is going to read a book.

He is reading a book.

He read a book.

He reads a book.

C) Form short forms/contracted forms.

Example: he is writing - he's writing

1) she is wearing -

2) he is repairing -

3) we are playing -

4) it is raining -

D) Negate the sentences.

Example: He is playing on the computer. - He is not playing on the computer.

1) The baby is crying.

2) I am washing my hair.

3) You are listening to music.

4) She is sitting on the chair.

5) We are playing a game.

6) I'm drawing a picture.

7) He is making pizza right now.

8) Susan and her brother are taking photos.

9) Dad is working in the kitchen.

10) She's selling fruit. -

11) We are travelling in an old van. -

12) I'm getting ready for school. -

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13) The thieves are robbing the bank. -

14) My father is smoking a cigarette. -

E) Fill in the verbs in brackets into the gaps.

Example: He is writing a letter now.

1) Listen! Pete and Joe . (to scream)

2) I a bath right now. (to have)

3) I to the pet shop. (to go)

4) Timmy the picnic basket. (to pack)

5) Look! Andy ______________________ in the garden. (to work)

6) I ______________________ TV at the moment. (to watch)

7) We _________________________ a book. (to read)

8) She __________________________ the piano. (play)

9) Listen! Sue and John_____________________ . (sing)

10) My sister (to clean) the bathroom.

11) Look! They (to go) inside.

12) I (to wait) in the car now.

13) Mrs Miller (to listen) to CDs.

14) We (to speak) English at the moment.

15) The dog (to attack) the cat.

16) I (to draw) a picture.

17) My mother (to wave) at me.

18) They (to choose) a cheap airline.

19) Listen! Tom (to make) a phone call.

F) Write questions in present progressive.

1. Robin / to ride / his bike -

2. where / she / to go -

3. what / your mother / to do / now -

G) Rewrite the sentences using the short forms

(where long forms are given) or the long

forms (where short forms are given).

1. He is eating. -

2. I am driving. -

3. We are not riding. -

4. You're telling great jokes. -

5. She's not hurrying. -

6.

H) Ask for the information given in bold print.

1. Matthew is making a mistake. -

2. Linda is knocking at the door. -

3. They are flying to Rome. -

4. I'm making the new tree house at the moment. -

5. She is driving the Porsche carefully. -

I) Choose the correct answer.

1. Which of the following words can be a signal

word for an arranged action taking place in the near

future.

every Monday next Monday last

Monday

2. Which of the following words is a signal word for

an action taking place in the moment of speaking?

now next week often

3. Which of the following words is not a signal word

for an action taking place in the moment of speaking?

at the moment Listen! never

4. Which of the following words cannot be a signal

word for an arranged action taking place in the near

future?

tomorrow last night this evening

5. Which of the following words is a signal word for

an action taking place in the moment of speaking?

Look! two days ago every Friday

J) Write the ing form of the verbs.

1) bake -

2) swim -

3) say -

4) travel -

5) lie -

K) Choose the correct answer.

1. I am living in London now. - What does this

sentence mean?

I have moved to London to stay there for ever.

I am in London only for a limited period of time.

I am going to move to London soon.

2. We are meeting Tom tonight. - What does this

sentence mean?

The action is arranged for the near future.

The action is taking place now.

The action might take place.

3. I'm working hard at the moment. - Is the sentence

correct even if I am not working at the moment of

speaking?

yes

no

4. He is playing football. - Which situation cannot be

expressed by present progressive?

To express that the match is going on right now.

To express that he does not play football

regularly, but only for a limited period of time.

To express that he plays football regularly.

5. Look! The Millers are moving house. - Which of

the following situations is expressed by the present

progressive?

They are in the middle of the action.

The action is going to take place next week.

They will come back to this place one day.

L) Choose the correct signal word.

1. The girl is watering the plants

______________.

a)right now b) every day c) yesterday

2. We are going to the theatre

______________.

a) every month b) tonight c) next year

3. My brother is moving to Australia

______________.

a) probably b) every day c) in a week

4. they are playing our song on the radio.

a) Look, b) Yesterday, c) Listen,

5. Greg is walking to work ________________.

a every Friday b) this week c) often

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“Tenses Review”


THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE

INTRODUCTION:

The Simple Past expresses an action in the past taking place once. It can also

be used for actions taking place one after another or in the middle of another

action.

EXAMPLES:

Mark fixed his car twice last month.

Last night, I got home, took a shower and went to bed.

I was watching a scary movie and suddenly, my cell phone rang.

STRUCTURES:


I saw didn’t see Did I see? What did I see?You wrote didn’t write Did you write ? When did you

write?She/He/It practiced didn’t practice Did he practice? Who practiced?

We/You/They put didn’t put Did we put? Where did we put?

REMEMBER:

SIMPLE PAST

SIMPLE PRESENTFUTURE

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Use Simple Past with the Verb “to be” too.

Those boys were my classmates when I was in ninth grade.

PRACTICING GRAMMAR

A) Use the verbs in the Simple Past.

1) He tries - he

2) We arrive - we

3) We cycle - we

4) You live - you

5) go →

6) come →

7) buy →

8) have →

9) do →

10) leave →

11) sell →

12) bring →

13) shut →

14) spend →

15) feel →

16) cost →

17) drive →

18) catch →

19) feed →

B) Form questions in the Simple Past.

Example: when / he / to visit / his uncle

When did he visit his uncle?

1) where / your father / to repair / the kite

2) how / they / to ride / their bikes

3) why / Julia / to ask / questions

4) to be / the boys / in the sun

C) Which answers are correct?

1) Which verb forms are in the Simple Past?

Infinitive + -s

Infinitive + -d

Infinitive + -ed

was/were + Infinitive + -ing

2) Which verb forms are in the Simple Past?

had

has

plaied

played

was

were

3) Which verb forms are correct?

lived

liveed

planed

planned

tried

tryed

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4) Which sentences/questions are in the Simple Past?

He didn't learn for school.

I fell from the tree.

I've found a pen.

She was in Hamburg.

We were watching a film.

D) Which sentences/questions are correct?

1) Which sentence is in the Simple Past?

She has read a book.

She read a book.

She reads a book.

2) In which sentence is the Simple Past used correctly?

The hotel room was very nice.

The hotel room were very nice.

3) Which negative sentence is in the Simple Past?

They didn’t sing a song.

They didn't sing a song.

They don't sang a song.

4) In which sentence is the Simple Past used correctly?

Steven forgetted his homework.

Steven forgot his homework.

Steven forgots his homework.

E) What is the correct Verb “to be” Simple Past form?

1) she __________

2) it ____________

3) we ___________

4) you __________

F) Put the sentences into simple past.

1. We open the door. →

2. You write poems. →

3. Richard plays in the garden. →

4. Kerry does not speak English. →

5. Do you see the bird? →

6. We move house. →

7. They catch the ball. →

8. He crosses the street. →

9. They do not sell furniture. →

10. Does she practice her English? →

11. They repeat the question. →

12. She hugs her little brother. →

13. The snowman melts in the sun. →

14. The candle does not burn. →

15. Do they chat in a forum? →

G) Write sentences in simple past.

1. Janet / the bus / miss

2. she / her room / tidy

3. not / Rupert / the number / dial

4. she / a friend / phone

5. not / Andy / the ball / pass

6. Jim / his head / cover

7. she / the chapter / copy

8. not / the clouds / disappear

9. he / to our question / refer

10. not / we / our punishment / escape

11. you / cards / play

12. I / a car / want

13. we / the game / lose

14. not / I / early / get up

15. not / Jeff and Linda / home / cycle

H) Ask for the bold part of the sentence.

1. My friends swam in the lake.

2. He paid the bill.

3. The teacher pointed to the board.

4. They felt good.

5. He hurt his leg because he was not

careful.

6. He clicked the mouse button.

7. Robby Robber robbed a bank.

8. The house burnt down.

9. The children respected their teacher.

10. Billy ate an apple.

11. The children played in the garden.

12. Laura came home at six o'clock.

13. The boy read a book.

14. The girl wrote five letters.

15. They welcomed the new pupil warmly.

I) “Was“ or “Were“?

1. I ________ hungry.

2. You __________ in Australia last year.

3. She ________ not there.

4. Charly Chaplin _________ a famous actor.

5. Lisa and James __________ at home.

6. It _________ the right thing to do.

7. The shop ___________ open.

8. The men __________ very strong.

9. The weather __________ great.

10. My father and I ____________ in the car.

11. The book _____________ on the table.

12. You ___________ very clever.

13. He ____________ in trouble.

14. George Washington _____________ the

first US president.

15. The cars _____________ new.

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“Tenses Review”


THE FUTURE TENSE

INTRODUCTION:

“Going to” future expresses a conclusion regarding the immediate

future or an action in the near future that has already been planned or

prepared.

EXAMPLES:

I’m going to study harder next year.

The sky is absolutely dark. It’s going to rain.

“Will” future expresses a spontaneous decision, an assumption with

regard to the future, a promise or an action in the future that cannot be

influenced. It is used to talk about “possibilities”.

EXAMPLES:

Wait! I will help you to carry those bags.

He will probably come back tonight.

I will not drink this weekend. I promise you I won’t…

It seems like it will rain tomorrow.

SIMPLE PRESENT

SIMPLE PAST

FUTURE

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STRUCTURES:

“GOING TO”:


I am going to dance

am not going to dance

Am I going to dance?

Where am I going to dance?

You are going to exercise

are not going to exercise

Are you going to exercise?

What time are you going to

exercise?She/He/It is going to cut is not going to

cutIs she going to cut? Who is going to

cut?We/You/They are going to

cleanare not going to

cleanAre they going to

clean?When are they going to clean?

“WILL”:


I will garden will not garden Will I garden? When will I garden?

You will drive will not drive Will you drive? Who will drive?She/He/It will keep will not keep Will she keep? What will she

keep?We/You/They will speak will not speak Will you speak? What language

will you speak?

REMEMBER:

You can also use “won’t” as a contraction of “will not”. But remember,

this is only used in spoken English.

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PRACTICING GRAMMAR

A) Put in the verbs in brackets into the gaps and

form sentences. Use the going to-future.

1. He his friend. (to phone)

2. We a new computer game. (to play)

3. My sister TV. (to watch)

4. You a picnic next Tuesday. (to have)

5. Jane to the office. (to go)

6. They to the bus stop this afternoon. (to walk)

7. His brother a letter to his uncle today. (to write)

8. She her aunt. (to visit)

9. I my homework after school. (to do)

10. Sophie and Nick her friends. (to meet)

B) Put in the verbs in brackets into the gaps and

form sentences. Use the will-future.

1. Tomorrow it in the north-west. (to rain)

2. My friend 12 next Monday. (to be)

3. Hey John! Wait a minute. I a word with you. (to have)

4. She her boss next week. (to contact)

5. I think you this job. (to get)

6. They at about 6 pm. (to arrive)

7. The teacher this exercise. (to explain)

8. He the bottle of water. (to drop)

9. Lots of accidents in that weather. (to happen)

10. She if you show her the spider. (to scream)

C) Put in the verbs in brackets into the gap. Use

will-future or going to-future.

1. Philipp 15 next Wednesday. (to be)

2. They a new computer. (to get)

3. I think, my mother this CD. (to like)

4. Paul's sister a baby. (to have)

5. They at about 4 in the afternoon. (to arrive)

6. Just a moment. I you with the bags. (to help)

7. In 2020 people more hybrid cars. (to buy)

8. Marvin a party next week. (to throw)

9. We to Venice in June. (to fly)

10. Look at the clouds! It soon. (to rain)

D) Write negative sentences in will future.

1. (I / answer / the question)

_______________________

2. (she / read / the book)

__________________________

2

3. (they / drink / beer)

____________________________

4. (we / send / the postcard)

_______________________

5. (Vanessa / catch / the

ball)______________________

6. (James / open / the door)

_______________________

7. (we / listen / to the

radio)________________________

8. (they / eat / fish)

______________________________

9. (she / give / him / the

apple)_____________________

10. (the computer / crash)

_________________________

E) Write negative sentences in going to future.

1. (I / sell / my

car)______________________________

2. (he / help /

us)_______________________________

3. (they / study /

hard)___________________________

4. (we / cook / dinner

tonight)______________________

5. (I / celebrate / my birthday this year)

______________

6. (she / clean / her

room)______________________

7. (they / move / house)

_________________________

8. (she / stay / with

Amy)_________________________

9. (they / change / their

clothes)___________________

10. (we / get up early / next

Sunday)________________

F) Write questions in will future.

1. (you / ask /

him)________________________

2. (Jenny / lock / the

door)__________________

3. (it /

rain)______________________________

4. (the teacher / test / our

English)____________

5. (what / they /

eat)_______________________

6. (when / she / be /

back)__________________

7. (who / drive / us / into town)

______________

8. (where / we /

meet)_____________________

9. (when / I / be /

famous)_________________

10. (what / you /

do)_______________________

G) Write questions in going to future.

1. (he / cook dinner /

tonight)_______________

2. (you / run / in the

race)__________________

3. (they / climb / that

mountain)_____________

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4. (she / exercise / at the gym / in the

afternoon)

__________________________________

5. (you / carry / that heavy box)

_______________

6. (Peter / fall in

love)________________________

7. (we / eat / fish /

tonight)____________________

8. (he / play football /

tomorrow)_______________

9. (Lucy / call / a

taxi)________________________

10. (you / sing / a song / for

us)_________________

H) Complete these conversation with Will or Going to Future.

Sandra: Where is Tim going to meet us?

Marcus: He (wait) ___________________ for us when our train arrives. I am sure he (stand) ____________________

on the platform when we take the station.

Sandra: And then what?

Marcus: We (pick) ______________________ Michele up at work and go out for dinner.

Ted: When we get to the party, Jerry (watch) ______________________ TV, Sam (make)__________________

drinks, Beth (dance)_______________________ by herself, and Thad (complain)

_______________________ about his day at work.

Robin: Maybe, this time they won't be doing the same things.

Ted: I am absolutely sure they (do) ___________________ the same things; they always do the same things.

Florence: Oh, look at that mountain of dirty dishes! Who (wash)____________________ all of those?

Jack: I promise I (do)___________________ them when I get home from work.

Florence: Thanks.

Jack: When you get home this evening, that mountain won’t be there and nice stacks of sparkling clean dishes (be)

____________________ settled in the cabinets.

Doug: If you need to contact me next week, I (stay) ____________________ at the Hoffman Hotel.

Nancy: I (call)____________________ you if there are any problems.

Doug: This is the first time that I will be away from the kids.

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Nancy: Don't worry, they (be) __________________ be fine.

Samantha: Just think, next week at this time, I (lie) ___________________ on a tropical beach in Maui drinking Mai

Tais and eating pineapple.

Darren: While you are luxuriating on the beach, I (stress) ___________________ out over this marketing project.. How

are you going to enjoy yourself knowing that I am working so hard?

Samantha: I’ll manage somehow.

Darren: You're terrible. Can't you take me with you?

Samantha: No. But I (send) ______________________ you a postcard of a beautiful, white sand beach.

Darren: Great, that (make) ___________________ me feel much better.

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Tenses

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