17 TENSES

A. PRESENT TENSES
Exercise 1: Match the sentences to the correct description.
present simple
1. He drinks a litre of milk every day. 1 - ...... a. temporary situation
2. Milk contains a lot of vitamins. 2 - ...... b. repeated action expressing annoyance
3. He is getting stronger. 3 - ...... c. timetables and programmes
httd
4. He is always borrowing money from me. 4 - ...... d. habitual action
5. She is having a party at the moment. 5 - ...... e. fixed arrangement in the near future
6. The movie starts at 8 pm tonight. 6 - ...... f. permanent truth
7. They are getting married next weekend. 7 - ...... g. changing or developing situation

Exercise 2: Match two sentences to their meanings in each pair.

1. Nick’s having a shower. ...... A. There is a shower, not a bath, in his flat.
Neil has a shower. ...... B. He’s wet.
2. Sally works from home. ...... A. Her office is in her home.
Samantha is working from home. ...... B. She is at home today to wait for a builder.
3. David’s cold. ...... A. He feels ill.
Derek has a cold. ...... B. The heating is turned off.
4. Steve always plays his guitar in the evening. ...... A. His guitar playing really annoys me.
Simon is always playing his guitar in the evening. ...... B. I don’t mind his guitar playing.
5. Marianne’s living in Edinburgh. ...... A. She usually lives in London.
Marie lives in Edinburgh. ...... B. She doesn’t live in London.
6. Teresa loses weight every year. ...... A. She’s on a good diet.
Tracy is losing weight. ...... B. She always eats less in the summer.
7. Heidi is a good doctor. ...... A. She visits her when she feels ill.
Helen’s got a good doctor. ...... B. She has lots of experience.
8. Paul travels a lot on business. ...... A. He’s on a plane.
Patrick is travelling on business. ...... B. He’s an international salesman.

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B. FUTURE TENSES
Exercise 1: Match the sentences to the correct description.
1. I like these shoes. I’ll buy them. 1 - ...... a. for offers, promises, threats, etc.
2. Look at them! They are going to catch the 2 - ...... b. for plans, intentions or ambitions we
thieves. have for the future
3. Since you’re tired, I’ll cook dinner tonight 3 - ...... c. fixed arrangement in the near future
4. The bank closes at 5pm in the afternoon. 4 - ...... d. predictions about the future
5. Everyone believes he will win the competition. 5 - ...... e. timetables and programmes
6. We are leaving for Hawaii at 7 am tomorrow. 6 - ...... f. on-the-spot decision
7. I am saving money. I’m going to open my own 7 - ...... g. predictions when there is evidence that
business in the future. something will happen in the near future
Exercise 2: Match two sentences to their meanings in each pair.

1. It’s going to be cold tonight. ...... A. It’s always at night at this time of the year.
It’ll be cold tonight. ...... B. I can feel a cold breeze coming from the north.
2. He’ll probably win. ...... A. The race is almost over and he’s at the front.
He’s going to win. ...... B. He’s won lots of races before.
3. I’m going to do a course at college. ...... A. I’ve been looking at their websites.
I’m doing a course at college. ...... B. I enrolled yesterday.
4. We’ll borrow Sally’s tent. ...... A. I’ll phone and ask her if it’s OK.
We’re borrowing Sally’s tent. ...... B. She’s agreed to lend it to us.
5. I’m taking the children to the park. ...... A. So I’m afraid I can’t stay for lunch.
I’m going to take the children to the park. ...... B. Would you like to join me?
6. The train leaves at ten. ...... A. So I have to finish my dinner quickly.
I’m going to leave at ten. ...... B. I’ve arranged a taxi for that time.
7. He’s going to be late. ...... A. I know him. He’s always late.
He’ll be late. ...... B. There’s a traffic jam on the motorway.
8. We are having a picnic this afternoon. ...... A. We are preparing the sandwiches for this afternoon.
We are going to have a picnic this afternoon. B. We have just arrived at the park and the weather is
...... really nine.

Exercise 3: Fill in the correct form of the verbs in the brackets.

1. I (check) …………………………..……...….…… with you before I (buy) …………………………..……...….…… the tickets.
2. We (meet) …………………………..……...….…… Sophie at 7:00. Would you like to join us?
3. I (phone) …………………………..……...….…… you as soon as I (hear) …………………………..……...….…… any news.
4. Because of unexpected demand, there (be) …………………………..……...….…… an extra show on Friday.
5. Once we know, the survey results, we (be able to) …………………………..……...….…… plan our campaign.
6. Next year, Thanksgiving Day (be) …………………………..……...….…… on Thursday, 26th November.
7. I can’t come tomorrow, I (spend) …………………………..……...….…… the day with my cousin.
8. After I (pass) …………………………..……...….…… my driving test, I (buy) …………………………..……...….…… a car.
I have been saving money for it for months.
9. I’ve checked the itinerary. The bus (get back) …………………………..……...….…… at 4:45.
10. I (look) …………………………..……...….…… for some oranges because I (make) …………………………..……...….……
marmalade tonight with my friends.

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Exercise 3: Read the notes and choose the correct words in bold in the conversation.

Vanessa: I hear you’ve booked your flights to Bangkok.

When 1 are you leaving / will you leave?
Peter: On Monday. We’re 2 getting / going to get the
overnight flight.
3
Vanessa: Are you staying / Will you stay long?
Peter: A couple of weeks. We 4 will fly / ’re flying
back on the 26th.
Vanessa: What about accommodation?
Peter: We’ve booked a hotel for the first two nights.
5
We’re staying / We’ll stay at the Asia Hotel
on Sukhumvit Road.
Vanessa: That sounds nice. But I’ve heard Thailand can be terribly hot in February.
Peter: No, I’ve been there before, so I know it 6 won’t / isn’t going to be too hot then.
Vanessa: What are you plans while you’re in the city?
Peter: Do you remember John? 7 We will / We’re going to look around and see what’s available. We’d
like to go to the beach.
Vanessa: How are you going to get there?
Peter: We’ll 8 probably / certainly get the bus. I’m not sure really.
9
Vanessa: Shall / Will I look on the Internet? There might be a timetable or something.
Peter: That’s a good idea.
Vanessa: OK. 10 I’m getting / I’ll get my computer.

C. PAST TENSES
Exercise 1: Match the sentences to the correct description.

1. People used to have/ had very simple lives 1 - ....... a. action in progress when another
in those days. action interrupted it
2. She was talking on the phone when her 2 - ....... b. two or more simultaneous actions
boss came in. c. past habit or state which is now
3. I was cooking lunch while he was pouring 3 - ....... finished
the drinks. d. to talk about actions of people who
4. Princess Diana did a lot of work for charity. 4 - ....... are no longer alive
5. At two o’clock this afternoon they were 5 - ....... e. actions which happened immediately
having lunch at work. after the other in the past
6. First, she knocked on the door. Then, she 6 - ....... f. action which was in progress at a
went inside. stated time in the past

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Exercise 2.1: Fill in the gaps with an appropriate past forms.
A. One fine morning, a man 1 (fish) ………………..………… in a river. The sun 2 (shine) …………..……………… and
the man 3 (sit) ……………..…………… on the river bank. Everything was very quiet and peaceful. The man
waited patiently for several hours then suddenly he 4 (feel) ………..………………… something pulling on the
fishing line. He 5 (stand up) …………………..……… quickly and 6 (begin) …………..……………… to take in the
line. He 7 (lift) ……………………..…… the huge fish he caught out of the water then there was a loud splash
and it fell back into the river. At first, the man didn’t know what 8 (happen) …………..……………… . Then,
he 9 (look) ………………..………… carefully at his fishing line. It had snapped. The poor man was so
disappointed that he 10 (pack) ……………………..…… away all his things and went home.
B. When Simon 1 (arrive) ……………..…………… at the cinema, dozens of people 2 (queue) ……….…………………
outside. They 3 (wait) ………………………..… to see the same film as Simon. Simon, however, had bought a
ticket in advance, so he 4 (walk) ……………..…………… straight to the front of the queue and 5 (enter) ........
.....…………..……… the cinema. He 6 (feel) ………………..………… relieved that he didn’t have to queue. He
7
(reach) ………………..………… his seat just as the lights 8 (go down) ………………..………… for the start of the
film.
C. Last weekend, Cathy 1 (hire) ……………..…………… a car and 2 (drive) …………………..……… to the seaside.
When she 3 (arrive) ……………..……………, the wind 4 (blow) and the sky 5 (be) ……………..…………… cloudy.
She 6 (get out) ……………..…………… of the car and 7 (take) ……………..…………… a walk along the seafront.
Then she 8 (decide) ……………..…………… to go for fish and chips at a nearby restaurant that she 9 (see) ....
…………..…………… earlier and liked the look of. When she 10 (leave) ……………..…………… the restaurant,
the sky 11 (be) ……………..…………… dark. As she 12 (walk) ……………..…………… to her car, it 13 (begin) ...........
………..…………… to rain. However, Cathy 14 (not/ mind) ……………..…………… because she 15 (have) .............
…..…………… a wonderful day.

Exercise 2.2: Give an example of past forms in the text above are used to express.
1. action which happened at a definite time in the past-time stated, known or implied ................................
2. to describe the atmosphere, the setting, etc. in the introduction to a story ................................
3. actions which happened immediately one after the other in the past. ................................

Exercise 3: Complete each sentence with two to five words, including the word in bold.

1. The car broke down when we were in the middle of our drive to Manchester. (as)
The car broke down …………………………………………………………....…………………………...……….……. to Manchester.
2. It’s Friday and I heard from Julian on Tuesday about the job application. (ago)
I heard from Julian ………………………………………………………………..……………..……...…. about the job application.
3. Before we were aware of global warming, we drove bigger cars. (drive)
Before we were aware of global warming, we……………………………..……………………...….……………. bigger cars.
4. They enquired at five hotels before they found one with a vacancy. (enquiring)
After …………………………………………………………………………………........…. hotels, they found one with a vacancy.
5. The play was cancelled when the group was in the middle of rehearsals. (rehearsing)
The group ………………………………………………………………………..............…...…………….…………….. it was cancelled.
6. We spent the summers at the seaside when we were little, but we wouldn’t swim in the sea very often.
(use)
We spent the summers at the seaside when we were little, but we ………...……..…..……………………………………
………………………………………………………..................................................................….……. in the sea very often.

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D. PRESENT PERFECT
Exercise 1: Match the sentences to the correct description.
1. Every summer, our family takes a beach trip. 1 - ...... a. emphasis on number
2. She has just passed her exams. 2 - ...... b. past habit or state which is now finished
3. She has phoned him three times this morning. 3 - ...... c. recently completed action
4. When I was a kid, I used to play/ played hide 4 - ...... d. past action having visible results in the
and seek with my friends every day. present
5. I have lost my key. I am searching for it now. 5 - ...... e. habitual action
Exercise 2: Match two sentences to their meanings in each pair.

1. How far did you travel? ...... A. I’m asking about today.
How far have you travelled? ...... B. I’m asking about yesterday.
2. The doctor called this morning. ...... A. It is still morning.
We’ve been to the bank this morning. ...... B. It is now the afternoon.
3. How many criminals have you arrested, Sally? ...... A. Sally used to be a detective.
How many criminals did you arrest, Sally? ...... B. Sally is a detective.
4. Mike did the reports. ...... A. He finished them and went home.
Mike has done the reports. ...... B. He is doing the accounts now.
5. Sylvia has worn glasses for many years. ...... A. She wears contact lenses now.
Samantha wore glasses for many years. ...... B. She’s just bought a new pair.
6. We went there twice in the summer. ...... A. It is still the summer.
We’ve been there several times this summer. ...... B. Now it is winter.

Exercise 3: Complete the conversation with words and phrases in the box. There are three
extra words or phrases.

was told ‘s been happened hasn’t told ‘ve just fallen

just has told ‘ve used has given has decided have you done

Alec: Hi, Judi, I’m home!

Judi: Shh. Don’t disturb the children. They 0 ‘ve just fallen asleep.
Alec: OK. I’ll be quiet. So, how are thing? What 1…………….……………........……… today?
Judi: Not much. It 2…………….……………........……… a quiet day really. What about you?
Alec: Quite an exciting day. The boss 3…………….……………........……… me a new job!
Judi: Wow. That’s fantastic. What 4…………….……………........………?
Alec: Sylvia 5…………….……………........……… to move Eddie to the Toronto office. So I’ve got his job! She
6
…………….……………........……… about it at lunchtime. It 7…………….……………........……… a real surprise.
Judi: Well, I hope it’s more money because we 8…………….……………........……… all our savings!

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Exercise 4: Circle ten mistakes in the conversation and correct them.

Dave: Have brought you the new car?

Alice: Yes. I’ve park it outside. Come and have a look…
Dave: It’s lovely. How fast did it go?
Alice: I don’t know. I yet haven’t driven it on the motorway.
Dave: I bet it’s really fast. Pete’s got one of these and he says he’s did over 125 mph in it!
Alice: Oh, that’s too fast for me. I’ve ever driven over 80 or 90.
Dave: I haven’t driven a car like this already either. Could I have a go?
Alice: I’m afraid not. Just I’ve arranged the insurance and I’m the only person that’s allowed to drive it.
Dave: That’s a pity. How has you turn on the CD player?
Alice: Hmm, I’m not sure. I’ve looked at the manual yet.
Dave: Has it got air-conditioning?
Alice: Yes. I’m really looking forward to the hot weather so I can try it out. I’ve never have before a car
with air conditioning!
1. ….………………... 2. ….………………... 3. ….………………... 4. ….………………... 5. ….………………...
6. ….………………... 7. ….………………... 8. ….………………... 9. ….………………... 10. ….……………....

Exercise 5: Complete each sentence with two to five words, including the word in bold.

1. It’s four weeks since I spoke to Paul. (have) 12. He’s never played football before. (time)
I ………………………………...………………… for four weeks. It’s the first ............................................................
2. When did they announce their engagement? (ago) ................................................................. football.
How long ………………………………… their engagement? 13. John hasn’t played golf for years. (time)
3. She began to play tennis when she was 10. (since) The ........................................................................
She …………………………………………………… she was 10. ............................................... golf was years ago.
4. They are still discussing the problem. (finished) 14. We didn’t start tidying up until after the guests
They …………………………………………… the problem yet. left. (before)
5. I bought this coat three years ago. (for) We waited until the guests left ……………....……….
I …………………………………...….……………… three years. …………………………………......................……….……… .
6. When did Mary move to Liverpool? (since) 15. He is the kindest man I’ve ever met. (never)
How long is it ………………………….………....................... I have ...................................................................
............................................................ to Liverpool? ......................................................... man before.
7. I haven’t finished writing the report yet. (still) 16. It’s the worst headache she’s ever had. (bad)
I …………………………………………………………. the report. She has ................................................................
8. We’ve never seen such a funny film. (ever) ............................................................. headache.
It’s the ...……………………………………………………… seen. 17. Kate was about to leave the house when the
9. This is the first time I met a film star. (never) postman came. (point)
I ………………………………………..……. a film star before. Kate was ……………………………………………………………
10. We haven’t played squash for six months. (last) ………………. the house when the postman came.
We ……………………………………………… six months ago. 18. The waiter didn’t take our order until everyone
11. Kim was on the point of closing the shop when a decided what they wanted. (before)
customer walked in. (about) The waiter waited until everyone had decided
Kim …………………………………….………… the shop when what they wanted …………………………….….………...
a customer walked in. ………………………………………….……………. our order.

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E. MIXED TENSES
Exercise 1: Give the correct form of the verbs in the brackets.

1. You (get) …………………………… lots of presents for your birthday, didn’t you?
2. I (help) …………………………… with the laundry if I have time.
3. He (be) …………………………… in prison since he (try) …………………………… to set a fire in a neighbour’s house.
4. Sheila often (listen) …………………………… to rock music. She (not like) …………………………… pop music.
5. Finally, last week we (find) …………………………… a cheap flat. We (definitely move) …………………………… next
Saturday.
6. It usually (snow) …………………………… a lot in Ankara in winter.
7. …………………………… you (see) …………………………… the new Marvel movie yet? – No, not yet. I am studying
for my final exam.
8. What …………………………… you (do) …………………………… at midnight yesterday, Mr Holmes?
9. They booked the tickets a week ago and (visit) …………………………… their relatives in Manchester
tomorrow.
10. How long …………………………… it (take) …………………………… to arrive at the airport? The plane (leave) .......
……………………… at 7 am and I am in a big hurry.
11. We (have) …………………………… dinner when the light (go) …………………………… out last night.
12. I (know) …………………………… Peter since we (be) …………………………… in high school.
13. Martha (be) …………………………… from Portugal. She (speak) …………………………… Portuguese.
14. My sister and her husband (go) …………………………… to Madrid for their holiday last year. They really
(have) …………………………… a good time there.
15. She (be) …………………………… to Singapore a few times already.

Exercise 2: Underline the correct word in bold.

1. We’re learning about plant life in biology this term / every year.
2. I always / already do the housework on Saturdays.
3. She was combing her hair since / when the cat broke her favourite flower vase.
4. The secretary has typed twenty letters yet / so far this morning.
5. Tomorrow / This morning we’re spending two weeks by the sea – it’s holiday time!
6. I have worked here since / still July.
7. We haven’t booked our summer holiday just / yet.
8. My sister never / sometimes goes running before school, but not today – it’s raining cats and dogs!
9. My brother has just / yet joined the football club.
10. We were studying when / while the birds were singing.
11. Linda has already / ever bought a new dress for the party.
12. I have music practice after school at the moment / on Mondays so I always get home late.
13. Have you so far / ever tasted Japanese food?
14. I often / right now go to bed at 8:30 pm.
15. Joe has been in Paris since / for two weeks.
16. I have an exam this afternoon / tomorrow so I’m going to bed early tonight.
17. I have never / just seen this film before.
18. Alice can’t answer the phone right now / ever – she’s having a shower.
19. The Taylors have moved their house so far / recently.
20. They still / already haven’t employed a new janitor.

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Exercise 3: Choose the correct options to complete the sentences.

1. Why are you so tired? – Well, I ……… any sleep last night.
A. am not getting B. wasn’t getting C. didn’t get D. won’t get
2. What’s wrong? You ……… very upset!
A. are looking B. looks C. looked D. look
3. Oh no! It ……… again. We can’t go on our picnic in Central Park today.
A. is raining B. rains C. rained D. will rain
4. The buses ……… at Depot at 9 o’clock this afternoon.
A. leaves B. are leaving C. leave D. will leave
5. I ……… Brenda five years ago when I ……… as a waitress.
A. met – worked B. met – was working C. was meeting – worked D. would meet - worked
6. Father ……… his job when the shoe factory ……… down last year.
A. loses - closes B. lost – was closing C. lost – closed D. losing - closed
7. Why are you ……… in bed? – I don’t feel well. I think I ……… a cold.
A. lying – caught B. laying – catch C. lying – catch D. laying - caught
8. I ……… from Paul for two weeks. I hope he is fine.
A. didn’t hear B. heard C. don’t hear D. haven’t heard
9. We ……… on Main Street when a dog ……… in front of our car.
A. were driving – run B. drove – ran C. were driving – ran D. drove – was running
10. The grass needs cutting. – Yes, I know. I ……… to the lawn tomorrow.
A. will mow B. am mowing C. am going to mow D. mow

Exercise 4: Correct the mistakes in each sentence. Two sentences have more than one mistake.

1. I’m playing chess since I was eight years old. ......................................................

2. I was readed a book when Nick phoning. ......................................................
3. He was lieing on the sofa when I came. ......................................................
4. We have learnt English since 3 months. ......................................................
5. What does your children often do in their free time? ......................................................
6. Did you late for school yesterday? ......................................................
7. We will go to Paris tomorrow. The tickets have been booked. ......................................................
8. You haven’t finished your homework already? ......................................................
9. Did your mother bought you a T-shirt last week? ......................................................
10. I hardly never surf the Internet. ......................................................
11. I used to eat at that restaurant three times last week. ......................................................
12. They haven’t still delivered my television. ......................................................
13. We haven’t read yet his letter. ......................................................
14. If you won’t turn on the speakers, you not hear anything. ......................................................
15. I didn’t won many prizes last year. ......................................................
16. I’ll make dinner when I will get home ......................................................
17. When was the last time you have seen Tony? ......................................................
18. Take some food in case you will get hungry. ......................................................
19. I have seen this film three months before. ......................................................
20. She hasn’t been to a party since she has returned from her holiday. ......................................................

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 Exercise 5: Fill the correct form of the verbs in the brackets.

ONE - MINUTE LESSON

Verbs in time clauses and conditionals follow the same patterns as in other clauses except:
 In clauses with time words like when, after, until we often use present tense forms to talk
about the future.
(I’ll come home when/ after I finish work.)
(You have to want here until your father comes.)
 In conditional clauses with if, unless, whether, in case we often use present tense forms to
talk about the future.
(If Barcelona win tomorrow, they will be champions.)
(I will come tomorrow unless I have to look after the children.)
(Whether the cake arrives or not, we will celebrate.)
(Take the umbrella with you in case it rains.)

A. My car is being repaired and I don’t know when it 1 (be) ……………………………… ready. I doubt whether I
2
(be able to) ……………………………… collect it before the weekend. I wonder if John 3 (give) ...................
…………… me a lift to the party on Saturday. I’ll ask him when he 4 (come) ……………………………… home.
B. I was calling to ask if you’d like to go out after we 1 (finish) ……………………………… work tomorrow or if
you 2 (want) ……………………………… to watch a video instead. Call me back as soon as you 3 (get) ...........
…………………… in. I’ll wait until I 4 (hear) ……………………………… from you.
C. I will leave the hotel early in case there 1 (be) ……………………………… a lot of traffic. I don’t know how
long the journey 2 (take) ……………………………… or what time the plane 3 (land) ………………………………,
but I 4 (call) ……………………………… you as soon as I 5 (arrive) ……………………………… at the airport. Then, I
will wait until you 6 (come) ……………………………… to collect me.

D. Paul is drinking tea as she is waiting for Charles. She wonders if he 1 (be) ……………………………… late as
usual. She will wait until the clock 2 (strike) ……………………………… five and then she will call him in case
he 3 (forget) ……………………………… .
E. I come from a very large family and recently my parents 1 (decide) ……………………………… that they
2
(spend) ……………………………… long enough living in an overcrowded house in Birmingham. ‘We
3
(move) ……………………………… to the country’, my father 4 (announce) ……………………………… one
evening. ‘I 5 (sell) ……………………………… this house and we 6 (live) ……………………………… on a farm’. So
last week we 7 (load) ……………………………… all our belongings into two hired vans, and for the last few
days we 8 (try) ……………………………… to organise ourselves in our new home. Yesterday, for example,
my two brothers and I 9 (start) ……………………………… painting the upstairs rooms. Unfortunately, while
I 10 (mix) ……………………………… the paint, one of my brothers 11 (open) ……………………………… the door.
Nobody 12 (tell) ……………………………… him that we 13 (be) ……………………………… in the room. So instead
of painting the walls we 14 (spend) ……………………………… all morning cleaning paint off the floor. But
worse things 15 (happen) ……………………………… since then. This morning, when I 16 (wake) ....................
……………… up, water 17 (drip) ……………………………… through the ceiling next to my bed. We 18 (spend)
……………………………… the last five hours repairing the roof. It is not all bad news though. The school in
the village nearby 19 (close) ……………………………… down two years ago, and my parents 20 (not/ find) ...
…………………………… another school for us yet.

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