Understanding English Tenses

Simple Present Simple Past- Simple Future (will/ going to)

1. Many birds (fly) south in winter.

In the simple present tense, we use the base form of the verb for most subjects. Therefore, the correct answer is "fly".

2. The buses (leave) the depot at 9 o'clock every day.

In the simple present tense, we add -s to the base form of the verb for third person singular subjects. Therefore, the correct answer is "leave".

3. When I grow up, I (wear) my new dress to the party tonight!

When talking about future plans or predictions, we can use "will" or "going to" to form the simple future tense. Therefore, the correct answer is "will wear".

4. If you keep on playing with that knife you (cut) yourself.

In this conditional sentence, we use the simple future tense with "will" for the result that may happen. Therefore, the correct answer is "will cut".

5. I (have) a wonderful time together!

Since the sentence is expressing a future event, we use the simple future tense. Therefore, the correct answer is "will have".

6. Jane (visit) us these days and we (become) an astronaut.

When talking about planned future events, we can use "will" for the simple future tense. Therefore, the correct answers are "will visit" and "will become".

7. Don't worry! The plane (take) off in three hours. We've got lots of time!

When talking about scheduled future events, we can use "will" for the simple future tense. Therefore, the correct answer is "will take".

8. Jenny (be) back soon. You could wait for her if you like.

When talking about future events based on a plan, we can use "will" for the simple future tense. Therefore, the correct answer is "will be".

9. Luke and Tony (fight) over the football match at Robert's house last night.

In the simple past tense, we use the past form of the verb for actions that happened in the past. Therefore, the correct answer is "fought".

Present continuous- Past continuous- Future Continuous

1. I (read) an interesting novel right now.

In the present continuous tense, we use the present participle form of the verb with the "be" verb. Therefore, the correct answer is "am reading".

2. She (stay) with her parents at the moment.

In the present continuous tense, we use the present participle form of the verb with the "be" verb. Therefore, the correct answer is "is staying".

3. This time tomorrow we (celebrate) Raj's birthday.

In the future continuous tense, we use "will be" along with the present participle form of the verb. Therefore, the correct answer is "will be celebrating".

4. The child (wait) soundly last Monday at 7:00 P.M. when the lights went out.

In the past continuous tense, we use "was" or "were" along with the present participle form of the verb. Therefore, the correct answer is "was waiting".

5. I (get) ready when she came.

In the past continuous tense, we use "was" or "were" along with the present participle form of the verb. Therefore, the correct answer is "was getting".

6. He (leave) for his parents yesterday after school.

In the past continuous tense, we use "was" or "were" along with the present participle form of the verb. Therefore, the correct answer is "was leaving".

7. The child (sleep) today in the afternoon.

In the future continuous tense, we use "will be" along with the present participle form of the verb. Therefore, the correct answer is "will be sleeping".

8. The boys (play) in the park when it starts raining.

In the past continuous tense, we use "was" or "were" along with the present participle form of the verb. Therefore, the correct answer is "were playing".

What is Simple Present?

It is easy to construct the basic present tense. Simply use the verb's base form: "I take," "you take," "we take," "they take." The third person singular adds an -s to the end.

We employ the simple present tense when an activity is occurring right now or when it occurs frequently (or ceaselessly, which is why it's sometimes called present indefinite) (he takes, she takes). The simple present tense can be created with the root form or by adding -s or -es to the end, depending on the person. I feel fantastic!

Thus, option A is correct.

A. Answer the following Simple Present Simple Past- Simple Future (will/ going to) 1. Many birds (fly) south in winter. 2. The buses (leave) the depot at 9 o'clock every day. 3. When I grow up, I (wear) my new dress to the party tonight! 4. If you keep on playing with that knife you (cut) yourself. 5. I (have) a wonderful time together! 6. Jane (visit) us these days and we (become) an astronaut. 7. Don't worry! The plane (take) off in three hours. We've got lots of time! 8. Jenny (be) back soon. You could wait for her if you like. 9. Luke and Tony (fight) over the football match at Robert's house last night. Present continuous- Past continuous- Future Continuous 1. I (read) an interesting novel right now. 2. She (stay) with her parents at the moment. 3. This time tomorrow we (celebrate) Raj's birthday. 4. The child (wait) soundly Last Monday at 7:00 P.M. when the lights went out. 5. I (get) ready when she came. 6. He (leave) for his parents yesterday after school. 7. The child (sleep) today in the afternoon. 8. The boys (play) in the park when it starts raining.

Simple Present is the form in the paragraph. Hence, option A is correct.

← The alliteration in naomi shihab nye s making a fist Discover the contrasting reactions in the walrus and the carpenter →