GRAMMAR EXERCISES ON TENSES

Circle the best alternative.

1. This afternoon Richard wants to do some work 8. Julian joined the band after he _____ to play the
on the book he________ . He has very little time to trumpet.
finish it.
A) has learned
A) has written B) had learned
B) was writing C) was learning
C) has been writing D) would learn
D) had written
9. Bill_____ it is a good offer so he _____ of
2. Since I came here, I _____ five cans of coke. accepting it.

A) have been drinking A) is thinking / is thinking

B) was drinking B) is thinking / thinks
C) have drunk C) thinks / thinks
D) drunk D) thinks / is thinking

3. I was angry with him because he______ to buy a 10. David is going to be famous someday. He_____
present for the baby’s birthday. in three movies already.

A) used to forget A) has been appearing

B) has forgotten B) has appeared
C) was forgotten C) is appearing
D) had forgotten D) appeared

4. I haven’t ironed the shirts yet, but I ______ them 11. The little girl started to cry because she ______
in an hour. her doll, and no one was able to find it.

A) am ironing A) is losing
B) am going to iron B) was lost
C) would iron C) had lost
D) have ironed D) has lost

5. He____ away the paper cup after he uses it. 12. Sally, could you please turn off the cooker? The
eggs _____ for the last ten minutes.
A) will throw
B) is throwing A) have been boiling
C) threw B) have boiled
D) had thrown C) were boiling
D) had been boiling
6. When she watched the commercial of the new
brand of shampoo, she_____ to buy one the other 13. I am now at a very big store. A lot of people
day. _____ the bargains that the store is selling.
A) was deciding
B) had decided A) are buying
C) has decided B) buy
D) decided C) had bought
D) were buying
7. Bill_____ soccer when he broke his leg.

A) was playing
B) played
C) had played
D) will play
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14. Why _____ at me? I am just trying to jump over 21. When I phoned her she______ out so I left
the wall. a message.

A) did you laugh? A) had gone

B) do you laugh? B) went
C) are you laughing? C) was going
D) were you laughing? D) has gone

15. In ancient times man ____ primitive guns used 22. A: Have you heard that Jill is ill?
for hunting. B: Yes, we______ her tomorrow afternoon.

A) had had A) visit

B) has had B) have visited
C) has C) are going to visit
D) had D) would visit

16. Since the industrial revolution, 23. How long_______ your best friend? I really
engineering_____ a lot. admire your friendship.

A) has improved A) do you know

B) has been improving B) had you known
C) improved C) have you known
D) is improving D) did you know

17. The number of architects who are interested in 24. The police arrested the man because he
modern architecture ______ nowadays. _______ some gold from jewellery shop.

A) was increasing A) has stolen

B) is increasing B) might steal
C) increase C) used to steal
D) increased D) had stolen

18. After reading the instructions, Mary ______ the 25. As soon as you_______ your work,
new dvd player. we_______ chess.

A) was starting A) finish / will play

B) starts B) finished / will play
C) had started C) will finish / will play
D) started D) are finishing/ will play

19. When you______ exhausted, ______ some tea 26. When the new school______ in September,
with lemon. It will do you good. you _______ one of the first instructors to
be hired.
A) felt / drank
B) feel / drink A) opened / have been
C) had felt / drank B) will open / will be
D) felt / drink C) is opening / are
D) opens / will be
20. When the thief heard the footsteps,
he_______ to unlock the safe. 27. By the time Kate arrives home,
we__________ all the preparations for the
A) was trying party.
B) has tried
C) is trying A) will have finished
D) has been trying B) will be finishing
C) would have finished
D) would finish

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28. I _____ any time to talk to you right 35. We can’t buy a new house until we __________
now. enough money.

A) didn’t have a) will save up

B) am not having b) saved up
C) won’t have c) have saved up
D) don’t have d) had saved up

29. Alice and John __________ each other for 36. By the time you finished taking a shower, I
more than twelve years. They are very close __________ the dinner ready.
friends.
a) will have made
A) had known b) has made
B) have been knowing c) had made
C) had been knowing d) made
D) have known
37. Next November she __________ Italian for
30. Mary______ dishes for over an hour, but there seven years.
are still some glasses and plates.
a) would study
A) has washed b) will study
B) washed c) is studying
C) was washing d) will have been studying
D) has been washing
38. I __________ here for 15 years.
31. An increasing number of governments
____________ to concentrate on ecological a) have been living
problems. b) will be living
c) am living
A) are going to start d) would live
B) are starting
C) start 39. A: How long have you been teaching
D) will be starting Spanish, Eric?
B: Since I _________ from university.
32. The children __________ in the playgrounds
when it suddenly started to snow. a) have graduated
b) graduated
a) played c) had graduated
b) have been playing d) graduate
c) had played
d) were playing 40. Peggy found everything rather strange, as
she __________ abroad before.
33. I will work until my husband __________.
a) would never be
a) will come back b) had never been
b) came back c) has never been
c) has come back d) will never be
d) had come back
41. When the fire broke out, the film _______.
34. His clothes are in a mess because he
__________ the house all the morning. a) has just started
b) just started
a) has been painting c) would just start
b) will be painting d) had just started
c) had been painting
d) is painting

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42. Ever since Anne was a child, she _______ 47. By the time you arrive there, I am sure the
afraid of spiders. secretary __________ typing the report.
a) is
b) was a) will finish
c) has been b) will be finishing
d) had been c) would finish
43. A: Have you seen any play lately? d) will have finished
B: No, the last time I _________ to the
theatre was a year ago. 48. That was the first time I _________ cheese
a) went cake.
b) had gone
c) have gone a) have eaten
d) was going b) had eaten
c) will have eaten
44. A: Rick _________ an accident. d) would have eaten
B: Really? I knew he would have an
accident some day. He drives too fast. 49. I hadn’t taken my umbrella with me
a) will have because I didn’t think it __________, but it
b) has had rained.
c) had had
d) is going to have a) was going to rain
45. We are short of money and yet we are b) is going to rain
spending too much too quickly. I think, c) was raining
before the end of our holiday, we _______ d) is raining
all our money.
a) have spent 50. That famous author _________ many plays so
b) will have spent far and each __________ a unique plot.
c) will spend
d) spend a) has written / has
46. I am afraid I can’t help you because I b) writes /
_________ to finish my term paper. c) had written
a) am trying d) has been writing
b) have tried
c) try
d) would try