EXERCISES ON TENSES:

Present tenses:

● SIMPLE PRESENT : (exercise and correction)

Exercise 1 – Fill in the blanks with the simple present tense

form of the verbs given in brackets

1. The Principal ____ to speak to Raj. (want)

2. The Earth ____ around the Sun. (revolve)
3. The baby ___ all day. (cry)
4. The flight ____ at 8 o’clock in the morning. (leave)
5. What ____ so good? (smell)
6. Hema ___ badminton every evening. (play)
7. Tony ___ to guitar lessons every Sunday. (go)
8. If it ___ today, we will get stuck. (rain)
9. The nurse ____ of my grandfather. (take care)
10. There ___ the topper of our school. (come)
11. I ___ up at 7:00 a.m. every day. (get)
12. Amy rarely ___ her room. (leave)
13. Cows ___ us milk. (give)
14. My granny ___ delicious lasagne. (cook)
15. The birds ___ all day long. (chirp)
16. The boys ___ hard to get good grades. (study)
17. The teacher ____ the parents today. (meet)
18. The movie ____ within a few minutes. (start)
19. The fluffy clouds ___ around. (move)
20. The dogs ___ at night. (bark)

Answers for Exercise 1

1. Wants
2. Revolves
3. Cries
4. Leaves
5. Smells
6. Plays
7. Goes
8. Rains
9. Takes care
 10. Comes
11. Get
12. Leaves
13. Give
14. Cooks
15. Chirp
16. Study
17. Meets
18. Starts
19. Move
20. Bark

Exercise 2 – Identify the verbs and change them into the

simple present tense

Go through the given passage and change the tense of the verbs into the
simple present tense.

Sam’s mother got up at 6 o’clock in the morning. After that, she got fresh and
took a shower. Then she prepared breakfast for all of them. She worked very
hard to sustain the family. Every day, she went down to the market and sold
fruits and vegetables. This way, she earned money for the family and sent her
children to school.

Answers for Exercise 2

Sam’s mother gets up at 6 o’clock in the morning. After that, she gets fresh
and takes a shower. Then she prepares breakfast for all of them. She works
very hard to sustain the family. Every day, she goes down to the market and
sells fruits and vegetables. This way, she earns money for the family and
sends her children to school.

● PRESENT CONTINUOUS:

Exercise 1 – Fill in the blanks

Fill in the blanks with the present continuous form of the given verbs.
 1. I _____ to watch a movie at Inox. (go)
2. We ___ in the nearby park. (play)
3. The boys ____ in the pond. (swim)
4. Rita ____ at the function. (sing)
5. The child ____ baseball. (play)
6. The chef ____ his famous ravioli. (cook)
7. The teacher ____ the students. (teach)
8. I ____ Aladdin and the Magic Lamp. (read)
9. The man ____ a Royal Enfield. (ride)
10. Sheema ____ for her dance performance. (practise)
11. The boys ___ everyone present at the party. (annoy)
12. My mother ____ a sweater for my sister. (knit)
13. The man ___ on the streets. (beg)
14. The baby ___ with her mother. (giggle)
15. Ronaldo ___ his team. (train)

Answers for Exercise 1

1. I am going to watch a movie at Inox. (go)

2. We are playing in the nearby park. (play)
3. The boys are swimming in the pond. (swim)
4. Rita is singing at the function. (sing)
5. The child is playing baseball. (play)
6. The chef is cooking his famous ravioli. (cook)
7. The teacher is teaching the students. (teach)
8. I am reading Aladdin and the Magic Lamp. (read)
9. The man is riding a Royal Enfield. (ride)
10. Sheema is practising for her dance performance. (practise)
11. The boys are annoying everyone present at the party. (annoy)
12. My mother is knitting a sweater for my sister. (knit)
13. The man is begging on the streets. (beg)
14. The baby is giggling with her mother. (giggle)
15. Ronaldo is training his team. (train)

Exercise 2 – Change into the present continuous tense

Read the sentences in different tenses and change them into present
continuous tense.

1. He goes to play in the park.

2. COVID affects our lungs.
3. I ate a cheeseburger.
4. The Prime Minister will visit the school.
5. Ram walks to school.
6. The mason was building this tower.
7. Riya spoke at the inter-school competition.
8. The wrestlers fought hard.
9. The cuckoo sings beautifully.
 10. Prerna left for Dubai.
11. I cleaned my room.
12. We bought a new car.
13. Anurag plays the guitar.
14. You went in the wrong direction.
15. I did a new project.

Answers for Exercise 2

1. He is going to play in the park.

2. COVID is affecting our lungs.
3. I am eating a cheeseburger.
4. The Prime Minister is visiting the school.
5. Ram is walking to school.
6. The mason is building this tower.
7. Riya is speaking at the inter-school competition.
8. The wrestlers are fighting hard.
9. The cuckoo is singing beautifully.
10. Prerna is leaving for Dubai.
11. I am cleaning my room.
12. We are buying a new car.
13. Anurag is playing the guitar.
14. You are going in the wrong direction.
15. I am doing a new project.

● PRESENT PERFECT:

Directions: Write the correct form of the present perfect for each verb given in
parentheses. If there is an adverb, it is included after the verb.

1. Mark (grow) ___________three inches in the last six months!

2. My dog (bury) _____________ many bones in the backyard.
3. Teresa and Anne (talk) _____________ to their landlord many times about the
broken light fixture in their kitchen.
4. Unfortunately, he (fix, still, not) _____________it.
5. I (visit) ______________New York City many times.
6. Elizabeth (catch) _____________ three colds this winter.
7. Because of this, she (go, not) _____________skiing since December.
8. Tom (decide) ___________to join a health club.
9. Rita (write, not) ______________a letter to Paul since the beginning of the semester.
10. Paul wonders why Rita (answer, not) ________________his letters.
11. He thinks that she (forget) __________________him.
12. However, this is not true. She (be) _____________very busy studying and working,
and she will write to him when she gets a chance.
Answer key
1. Mark (grow) has grown three inches in the last six months!
2. My dog (bury) has buried many bones in the backyard.
3. Teresa and Anne (talk) have talked to their landlord many times about the broken light
fixture in their kitchen.
4. Unfortunately, he (fix, still, not) still has not fixed it.
5. I (visit) have visited New York City many times.
6. Elizabeth (catch) has caught three colds this winter.
7. Because of this, she (go, not) has not gone skiing since December.
8. Tom (decide) has decided to join a health club.
9. Rita (write, not) has not written a letter to Paul since the beginning of the semester.
10. Paul wonders why Rita (answer, not) has not answered his letters.
11. He thinks that she (forget) has forgotten him.
12. However, this is not true. She (be) has been very busy studying and working, and she
will write to him when she gets a chance.

● PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS:

Exercise 1 – Fill in the blanks

Fill in the blanks with the present perfect continuous form of the verb given in
brackets.

1. Rahul ____ French for three months. (learn)

2. Mr Rupert _____ in New Orleans for the past four years. (stay)
3. The boys _____ in the park since five o’clock. (play)
4. Tina ____ for some time. (meditation)
5. The child ____ for three hours. (sleep)
6. Mohit ____ for a new PS5 for a long time. (ask)
7. The builder _____ the tower for a few months. ( build)
8. I ____ David Copperfield since Saturday. (read)
9. Uma ____ the three pages since morning. (type)
10. Hira ______ for his friend at the cafe since the evening. (wait)
11. The teacher _____ for the last two hours. (teach)
12. The man ____ to fix the flat tyre for a few hours. (try)
13. The doctors _____ for three hours. (operate)
14. Raj _____ for his examination since the morning. (study)
15. My mother ____ cakes since two o’clock. (baking)
16. The man _____ the streets for hours. (wander)
17. Ron _____ video games since noon. (play)
18. Paro ____ with her friend on the phone for hours. (talk)
19. It ____ since dawn. (rain)
20. The dog ___ since last night. (bark)

Answers for Exercise 1

1. Rahul has been learning French for three months. (learn)

 2. Mr Rupert has been staying in New Orleans for the past four years. (stay)
3. The boys have been playing in the park since five o’clock. (play)
4. Tina has been meditating for some time. (meditation)
5. The child has been sleeping for three hours. (sleep)
6. Mohit has been asking for a new PS5 for a long time. (ask)
7. The builder has been building the tower for a few months. ( build)
8. I have been reading David Copperfield since Saturday. (read)
9. Uma has been typing the three pages since morning. (type)
10. Hira has been waiting for his friend at the cafe since evening. (wait)
11. The teacher has been teaching for the last two hours. (teach)
12. The man has been trying to fix the flat tyre for a few hours. (try)
13. The doctors have been operating for three hours. (operate)
14. Raj has been studying for his examination since morning. (study)
15. My mother has been baking cakes since two o’clock. (baking)
16. The man has been wandering the streets for hours. (wander)
17. Ron has been playing video games since noon. (play)
18. Paro has been talking with her friend on the phone for hours. (talk)
19. It has been raining since dawn. (rain)
20. The dog has been barking since last night. (bark)

Past tenses:

● PAST SIMPLE:

A) Complete the sentences with the Past Simple of the verbs in brackets.

1 - My sister ..................... (try) to bake a cake last Saturday.

2 - We ..................... (not order) steak and chips at the restaurant yesterday.

3 - I ..................... (phone) my cousin in Canada three days ago.

4 - The children ..................... (play) on the computer yesterday.

B) Write the questions. Then answer them

1 - you / watch TV / last night .......................................................................

.........................................................

2- your friends / play football / yesterday

....................................................................... .........................................................
3 - your mum / bake / a cake / last weekend
....................................................................... .........................................................

4 - you / phone / a friend / an hour ago

....................................................................... .........................................................

ANSWERS:

A)

1- tried

2- didn’t order

3- phoned

4- played

B)

1 - Did you watch TV last night? Yes, I did. / No, I didn’t.

2 - Did your friends play football yesterday? Yes, they did. / No, they didn’t.

3 - Did your mum bake a cake last weekend? Yes, she did. / No, she didn’t.

4 - Did you phone a friend an hour ago? Yes, I did. / No, I didn’t

● PAST CONTINUOUS:

Exercise 1 – Fill in the blanks

Fill in the blanks with the past continuous form of the verbs given in brackets.

1. The children ____ hide and seek in the park. (play)

2. They ____ to the movies. (go)
3. I ___ the book you gave me on my birthday. (read)
4. Winnie _____ her new dress. (stitch)
5. The dogs ____ all night. (bark)
6. Ron ___ his room when he heard the noise. (clean)
7. It ___ darker with each passing moment. (get)
8. The gardener ____ the lawn. (water)
9. The army ___ to Ladakh when the enemy attacked them. (go)
10. My sister ____ a Royal Enfield yesterday. (ride)
 11. The students ____ on their assignments. (work)
12. That boy ____ in class. (dance)
13. The kid ____ television all evening. (watch)
14. The girl ____ to rock music. (listen)
15. The birds ____ in the sky. (fly)

Answers for Exercise 1

1. The children were playing hide and seek in the park. (play)
2. They were going to the movies. (go)
3. I was reading the book you gave me on my birthday. (read)
4. Winnie was stitching her new dress. (stitch)
5. The dogs were barking all night. (bark)
6. Ron was cleaning his room when he heard the noise. (clean)
7. It was getting darker with each passing moment. (get)
8. The gardener was watering the lawn. (water)
9. The army was going to Ladakh when the enemy attacked them. (go)
10. My sister was riding a Royal Enfield yesterday. (ride)
11. The students were working on their assignments. (work)
12. That boy was dancing in class. (dance)
13. The kid was watching television all evening. (watch)
14. The girl was listening to rock music. (listen)
15. The birds were flying in the sky. (fly)

Ecercise 2 – Change into the past continuous tense

Read the following sentences and change them into the past continuous
tense.

1. Raj drinks coffee.

2. Sweta is singing her favourite song.
3. Siraj left home.
4. My friends played on the field.
5. I will be going to France.
6. The boy cried all night.
7. The cat ran in the streets.
8. I performed at the school function.
9. The parrot talked back.
10. Tia will visit her granny.

Answers for Exercise 2

1. Raj was drinking coffee.

2. Sweta was singing her favourite song.
3. Siraj was leaving home.
4. My friends were playing on the field.
5. I was going to France.
6. The boy was crying all night.
 7. The cat was running in the streets.
8. I was performing at the school function.
9. The parrot was talking back.
10. Tia was visiting her granny.

● PAST PERFECT:

Exercise 1. Join the sentences with the words in brackets. _____________

Example:

They graduated. They got married. (as soon as)

They got married as soon as they had graduated.

They entered the restaurant. They were served. (after)

..................................................................................................................................................................
.. I didn't use my credit card. I lost it. (because)
..................................................................................................................................................................
.. They didn't tell me. Easyjet cancelled the flight. (that)
..................................................................................................................................................................
.. I couldn't go out. I broke my leg. (because)
..................................................................................................................................................................
.. He took up a job. He left school. (as soon as)
..................................................................................................................................................................
.. Susan fell in love with Jack. She told her parents. (after)
..................................................................................................................................................................
.. I was in Paris for a week. I met Ann there. (when)
..................................................................................................................................................................
.. Jim called Jane from his office. He came back home. (before)
..................................................................................................................................................................
.. Maria finished the meal. And I arrived. (by the time)
..................................................................................................................................................................
.. Messi scored the goal. The fans went wild. (as soon as)
..................................................................................................................................................................
..

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences with the words in brackets. _________

He couldn't go skiing, because he ..................................... ill the night before. (fall)

................................................ off the lights before you left home? (you - switch)

The plane crashed because the engines ......................................... fire. (catch)

After Sam ........................... the bank, he got into his car. (leave) When he arrived at the office,
everyone ................................. gone. (be)

.................................................. anything to eat before you fed him? (the dog - have)

By the time Joseph returned home Sarah .......................... to get in touch with him several
times. (try)

Why .......................................... me before you refused their offer? (you - call)

I was so sad because Jill ................................................... somewhere in Spain. (disappear)

What ................................................... with the computer before you called the technician?
(you-do)

ANSWERS:

EXERCISE 1:

After they had entered the restaurant they were served.

I didn't use my credit card because I had lost it.

They didn't tell me that Easyjet had cancelled the flight.

I couldn't go out because I had broken my leg.

He took up a job as soon as he had left school.

After Susan had fallen in love with Jack she told her parents.

When I had been in Paris for a week, I met Ann there.

Jim had called Jane from his office before he came back home.

Maria had finished the meal by the time I arrived.

As soon as Messi had scored the goal, the fans went wild

Exercise 2

He couldn't go skiing, because it had rained the night before.

Had you switched off the lights before you left home?

The plane crashed because the engines had caught fire.

After Sam had left the bank, he got into his car.

When he arrived at the office, everyone had been gone.

Had the dog had anything to eat before you fed him?
By the time Joseph returned home Sarah had tried to get in touch with him several times.

Why had you called me before you refused their offer?

I was so sad because Jill had disappered somewhere in Spain.

What had you done with the computer before you called the technician?

● PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS:

Exercise – Fill in the blanks

Fill in the blanks with the present perfect continuous form of the verb given in
brackets.

1. Rahul ____ French for three months. (learn)

2. Mr Rupert _____ in New Orleans for the past four years. (stay)
3. The boys _____ in the park since five o’clock. (play)
4. Tina ____ for some time. (meditation)
5. The child ____ for three hours. (sleep)
6. Mohit ____ for a new PS5 for a long time. (ask)
7. The builder _____ the tower for a few months. ( build)
8. I ____ David Copperfield since Saturday. (read)
9. Uma ____ the three pages since morning. (type)
10. Hira ______ for his friend at the cafe since the evening. (wait)
11. The teacher _____ for the last two hours. (teach)
12. The man ____ to fix the flat tyre for a few hours. (try)
13. The doctors _____ for three hours. (operate)
14. Raj _____ for his examination since the morning. (study)
15. My mother ____ cakes since two o’clock. (baking)
16. The man _____ the streets for hours. (wander)
17. Ron _____ video games since noon. (play)
18. Paro ____ with her friend on the phone for hours. (talk)
19. It ____ since dawn. (rain)
20. The dog ___ since last night. (bark)

Answers for Exercise

1. Rahul has been learning French for three months. (learn)

2. Mr Rupert has been staying in New Orleans for the past four years. (stay)
3. The boys have been playing in the park since five o’clock. (play)
4. Tina has been meditating for some time. (meditation)
5. The child has been sleeping for three hours. (sleep)
6. Mohit has been asking for a new PS5 for a long time. (ask)
7. The builder has been building the tower for a few months. ( build)
8. I have been reading David Copperfield since Saturday. (read)
 9. Uma has been typing the three pages since morning. (type)
10. Hira has been waiting for his friend at the cafe since evening. (wait)
11. The teacher has been teaching for the last two hours. (teach)
12. The man has been trying to fix the flat tyre for a few hours. (try)
13. The doctors have been operating for three hours. (operate)
14. Raj has been studying for his examination since morning. (study)
15. My mother has been baking cakes since two o’clock. (baking)
16. The man has been wandering the streets for hours. (wander)
17. Ron has been playing video games since noon. (play)
18. Paro has been talking with her friend on the phone for hours. (talk)
19. It has been raining since dawn. (rain)
20. The dog has been barking since last night. (bark)

Future tenses:

● FUTURE SIMPLE:

Fill in the blanks with the right form of the simple future tense in the following
sentences:

1. Quinn __________ (sing) at the final auditions.

2. Madame Smith _________ (be) the judge for the cultural competitions.

3. _________ you __________ (finish – negative interrogative) writing the song

before the event?

4. I don’t think he ____________ (enjoy) something like this.

5. Sandy had told me that it _____________ (rain – negative) today.

6. ________ Adharsh ____________ (visit) you or not?

7. Amal ____________ (arrive – negative) in time for the reception.

8. Santana _____________ (be) your partner for the dance.

9. Do you think it ____________ (matter) to them at all?

10. Abdul ____________ (give) you all the instructions regarding what should
be done when you get here.

The answers to the above questions are given below. Find out if you got the
answers right.

1. Quinn will sing at the final auditions.

2. Madame Smith will be the judge for the cultural competitions.

3. Won’t you finish writing the song before the event?

4. I don’t think he will enjoy something like this.

5. Sandy had told me that it will not rain today.

6. Will Adharsh visit you or not?

7. Amal will not arrive in time for the reception.

8. Santana will be your partner for the dance.

9. Do you think it will matter to them at all?

10. Abdul will give you all the instructions regarding what should be done
when you get here.

● FUTURE CONTINUOUS:

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the future continuous tense in the
following sentences:

1. Next month, at this time, I ______________ (chill) in Maldives along with my

friends.

2. Nathan _____________ (reach) home at this time tomorrow.

3. Bindhu _______________ (work – negative) for a month as she has to take

care of her sick mother.
4. __________ Sue ____________ (attend – interrogative) the Glee club
rehearsals the day after tomorrow?

5. ________ Gowtham ____________ (come – negative interrogative) along

with you to Chennai?

6. Tania _______________ (try out – negative) for the relay this year.

7. Sandhya ______________ (help) us with the arrangements for tomorrow as

Theena will not be able to do it.

8. ____________ Irene ___________ (lead – interrogative) the drill on Sports

Day?

9. _________ they ____________ (perform – negative interrogative) Don’t Stop

Believing for the Sectionals?

10. The students ______________ (participate) in the extracurricular activities

organised by the senior students on Children’s Day.

Now, check the answers given below to find out how far you have understood
and answered the questions correctly.

1. Next month, at this time, I will be chilling in the Maldives along with my
friends.

2. Nathan will be reaching home at this time tomorrow.

3. Bindhu will not be working for a month as she has to take care of her sick
mother.

4. Will Sue be attending the Glee club rehearsals the day after tomorrow?

5. Won’t Gowtham be coming along with you to Chennai?

6. Tania will not be trying out for the relay this year.
7. Sandhya will be helping us with the arrangements for tomorrow, as Theena
will not be able to do it.

8. Will Irene be leading the drill on Sports Day?

9. Will they not be performing Don’t Stop Believing for the Sectionals?

10. The students will be participating in the extracurricular activities organised

by the senior students on Children’s Day.

● FUTURE PERFECT:

Fill in the blanks with the right form of the future perfect tense in the following
sentences:

1. Mom ______________ (cook) our favourite meal since we are going home
after a really long time.

2. I think all the plants ________________ (grow) before I return.

3. Sindhu _____________ (forget – negative) anything by now.

4. __________ you ___________ (complete – interrogative) the invitations

before 7 p.m.

5. He ________________ (learn) all the songs by heart before anyone else

does.

6. Do you think Karl _______________ (find) all the answers to the questions
you gave him by now?

7. I guess I ___________ (finish) my painting by Monday.

8. All our relatives ___________ (arrive) at the hotel in the morning.

9. ________ they ___________ (paint – negative interrogative) the house before

the guests arrived?
10. We ___________________ (meet) the Principal before noon.

Check if you have used the future perfect tense correctly from the answers
given below.

1. Mom will have cooked our favourite meal since we are going home after a
really long time.

2. I think all the plants will have grown before I return.

3. Sindhu will not have forgotten anything by now.

4. Will you have completed the invitations before 7 p.m.

5. He will have learnt all the songs by heart before anyone else does.

6. Do you think Karl will have found all the answers to the questions you gave
him by now?

7. I guess I will have finished my painting by Monday.

8. All our relatives will have arrived at the hotel in the morning.

9. Won’t they have painted the house before the guests arrived?

10. We will have met the Principal before noon.

● FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS:

Fill in the blanks with the right form of the future perfect continuous tense in
the following sentences:

1. Sam and Quinn will definitely not be that exhausted when they get here as
they ______________ (drive – negative) for so long.

2. Vinita _______________ (walk) around for hours.

3. How long ______ they ______________ (play – interrogative) the guitar next
year?

4. Next week, Tharun _________________ (work – negative) for more than a

year.

5. In November, Devika _________________ (teach) at this school for three

years.

6. We are late. I guess Aldrin and Sam ______________ (wait) for us.

7. Ashwin will be very tired when he gets home as he ______________

(exercise) for over an hour.

8. ________ Neelaveni Ma’am ____________ (train – negative interrogative)

students for more than twenty years at the end of this academic year?

9. ________ you _______________ (live – interrogative) in Australia for over a

year when you finish your studies?

10. When you come at 8 p.m, __________ they ______________ (practise) long
enough?

The answers to the above questions are given below. Go through them to
check out how far you have understood the topic.

1. Sam and Quinn will definitely not be that exhausted when they get here as
they will not have been driving for so long.

2. Vinita will have been walking around for hours.

3. How long will they have been playing the guitar next year?

4. Next week, Tharun will not have been working for more than a year.

5. In November, Devika will have been teaching at this school for three years.

6. We are late. I guess Aldrin and Sam will have been waiting for us.
7. Ashwin will be very tired when he gets home as he will have been exercising
for over an hour.

8. Won’t Neelaveni Ma’am have been training students for more than twenty
years at the end of this academic year?

9. Will you have been living in Australia for over a year when you finish your
studies?

10. When you come at 8 p.m, will they have been practising long enough?