Beyond CAE

Beyond CAE

Advanced Grammar present tenses

Present Tenses

​Present Simple

Choose the right use for every set of examples.

Multiple Choice

The lights go out and a ligure tears out of the villa.

• habitual actions or permanent states

• arranged future actions (timetables, programmes, etc)

• lows of nature/ scientific facts and instructions

  Ice melts when heated.

• dramatic narration

Multiple Choice

The match begins at 8:30 next Monday evening.

• habitual actions or permanent states

• arranged future actions (timetables, programmes, etc)

• lows of nature/ scientific facts and instructions

  Ice melts when heated.

• dramatic narration

Multiple Choice

First you chop the meat, then you fly it.

• habitual actions or permanent states

• arranged future actions (timetables, programmes, etc)

• lows of nature/ scientific facts and instructions

  Ice melts when heated.

• dramatic narration

Multiple Choice

He goes swimming every day.

She works in a bank.

• habitual actions or permanent states

• arranged future actions (timetables, programmes, etc)

• lows of nature/ scientific facts and instructions

  Ice melts when heated.

• dramatic narration

​Present Continuous

Choose the right use for every set of examples.

Multiple Choice

You’re always leaving the cap off the toothpaste.

• repeated actions with always, forever, constantly (often to show annoyance)

• actions in progress/ temporary actions

• fixed arrangements for the near future

• current trends and developments

Multiple Choice

Oil prices are rising at present.

• repeated actions with always, forever, constantly (often to show annoyance)

• actions in progress/ temporary actions

• fixed arrangements for the near future

• current trends and developments

Multiple Choice

They are going on an excursion tomorrow.

• repeated actions with always, forever, constantly (often to show annoyance)

• actions in progress/ temporary actions

• fixed arrangements for the near future

• current trends and developments

Multiple Choice

He’s sleeping at the moment.

They’re hunting for a flat.

• repeated actions with always, forever, constantly (often to show annoyance)

• actions in progress/ temporary actions

• fixed arrangements for the near future

• current trends and developments

​Present Perfect

Choose the right use for every set of examples.

Multiple Choice

repeated actions still continuing

• recently completed actions

• actions beginning in the past and continuing up to the present, focusing on the result

• indefinite past actions or experiences

• repeated actions still continuing

Multiple Choice

He has written three books.

• recently completed actions

• actions beginning in the past and continuing up to the present, focusing on the result

• indefinite past actions or experiences

• repeated actions still continuing

Multiple Choice

She has seen this film. (We do not know when.)

I’ve been to Berlin twice.

• recently completed actions

• actions beginning in the past and continuing up to the present, focusing on the result

• indefinite past actions or experiences

• repeated actions still continuing

Multiple Choice

She has just painted her room.

• recently completed actions

• actions beginning in the past and continuing up to the present, focusing on the result

• indefinite past actions or experiences

• repeated actions still continuing

​Present Perfect Continuous

Choose the right use for every set of examples.

Multiple Choice

She has been painting her room. (It smells of paint.)

• past actions producing visible results in the present

• an action beginning in the past and continuing up to the present, focusing on the action especially with for or since

• action showing annoyance, irritation or surprise

Multiple Choice

What have you been doing to my computer?

• past actions producing visible results in the present

• an action beginning in the past and continuing up to the present, focusing on the action especially with for or since

• action showing annoyance, irritation or surprise

Multiple Choice

She has been waiting for two hours but there’s still no sign of him.

• past actions producing visible results in the present

• an action beginning in the past and continuing up to the present, focusing on the action especially with for or since

• action showing annoyance, irritation or surprise

Stative verbs

Stative verbs describe a state and do not have continuous forms. Classify the following stative verbs.

Multiple Choice

appear/seem, be, belong, have l=possess), keep (wcontinue), matter, owe, possess/own etc

• senses

• thinking

• emotion & feeling feel

• other

Multiple Choice

think, agree, believe, consider, doubt, expect, feel (=think)

• senses

• thinking

• emotion & feeling feel

• other

Multiple Choice

see, hear, smell, feel, taste

• senses

• thinking

• emotion & feeling feel

• other

Multiple Choice

forgive, hate, loathe, like, dislike, love, mind, wish, etc

• senses

• thinking

• emotion & feeling feel

• other

​Notes

• Verbs of the senses can have continuous forms, but then there's a change in meaning.

I’m seeing my dentist tomorrow. (= a prior arrangement) but: Do you see those birds? (ability to see)

• The verbs think, consider and expect can have continuous forms when they refer to an activity.

Be quiet, please! I’m thinking. but: I think you are wrong. (= I believe)

• Have can have continuous forms in certain expressions such as: have a both, have a nap, have fun, have a good time, etc.

We were having a good time at the party when the fire broke out. but: Since you have his phone number, you can call him. (= possess)

Practice

• Put the verbs in brackets into the appropriate present tense.

​Has been to / has been in / has gone to

Fill in the blanks with have been to, have been in or have gone to in their correct form.