Fun with English Tenses

What is NOT a dimension of Tense?

• Past

• Future

• Progressive

• Present

Answer explanation

Present, Past and Future are all time-based dimensions of Tense!

Which is the Tense of the following sentence:

Machu Picchu is one of the Wonders of the World.

• Simple Past

• Present Perfect

• Simple Present

• Past Perfect

Answer explanation

The Simple Present Tense is used to describe objects, places, people, etc!

I … French and German.

• am speaking

• spoke

• speak

• was speaking

Answer explanation

You SPEAK Gujarati, Hindi and English! (present truths = Simple Present Tense)

He writes letters every day.

• Present Simple

• Present Continuous

• Present Perfect

• Past Simple

Answer explanation

Simple Present Tense can be used to show habitual actions/daily routines!

Which of the following sentences represents Present Progressive ?

• I don't like pizza.

• He's studying for tomorrow's exam.

• They were cooking yesterday.

• She will stay herefor two weeks.

Answer explanation

Present Progressive/Continuous tense is used for actions which are in progress at the time of speaking!

Which of these sentences expresses a future action?

• Sodium explodes on contact with water.

• She did her homework last night.

• I am eating right now.

• We are visiting our grandparents this weekend.

Answer explanation

The Present Progressive Tense can also be used to show FUTURE action!

 She is very happy: her son (to finish) school.

•  had finished
•  has finished
•  was finishing
•  finished

Answer explanation

The Present Perfect Tense shows that an action was completed at sometime in the past, and the completed action is relevant to the present moment!

The work is almost done. We … it for 6 six hours!

• have done

• were doing

• have been doing

• are doing

Answer explanation

The Present Perfect Progressive Tense (has/have + been + verb + ing) is used to show the action began at some point in the past and continued without a break until the present moment of speaking!

Fill in the blank with the past tense of the underlined verb.

Tim said "I am an engineer".

Tim said that he ______ an engineer.

• was

• were

• had been

• has been

Answer explanation

The Simple Past Tense is used to indicate a SINGLE action or activity!

While he was watching the football match, his phone _______(ring)

• was ringing

• rang

• rung

• ringed

Answer explanation

Simple Past Tense uses the V2 form!

V1 Ring/Sing/Eat

V2 Rang/Sang/Ate

V3 Rung/Sung/Eaten