An Approach To English Grammar & Composition | Chapter 8: ENGLISH TENSE

Exercise 1: Put in the correct Present Tense (Indefinite, Continuous, Perfect, or Perfect Continuous) of the given verbs:

1. He (go) to school everyday.

Ans: He goes to school everyday. (Present Indefinite)

(a) He (do) his work well.

Ans: He does his work well. (Present Indefinite)

(b) She (tell) us a story.

Ans: She tells us a story. (Present Indefinite)

(c) Mother (make) a cup of tea.

Ans: Mother is making a cup of tea. (Present Continuous)

(d) We now (learn) English.

Ans: We are now learning English. (Present Continuous)

(e) The children (play) in the morning.

Ans: The children play in the morning. (Present Indefinite)

(f) The boy (look for) his pen all day.

Ans: The boy has been looking for his pen all day. (Present Perfect Continuous)

(g) I (live) here since 1988.

Ans: I have lived here since 1988. (Present Perfect)

(h) He (not do) his duty.

Ans: He does not do his duty. (Present Indefinite)

(i) They (work) in the factory for five years.

Ans: They have worked in the factory for five years. (Present Perfect)

(j) I (try) to learn Sanskrit for five years, but I (not succeed) yet.

Ans: I have been trying to learn Sanskrit for five years, but I have not succeeded yet. (Present Perfect Continuous, Present Perfect)

Exercise 2: In the following sentences supply the tense of the verbs as directed:

2. He (stand) first in the University this year.

Ans: He has stood first in the University this year. (Present Perfect)

(a) The boys (play) footbal (Present Continuous)

Ans: The boys are playing football. (Present Continuous)

(b) We (hear) a strange story. (Present Perfect)

Ans: We have heard a strange story. (Present Perfect)

(c) He (work) here for the last five years. (Present Indefinite)

Ans: He works here for the last five years. (Present Indefinite)

(d) He (try) his best. (Present Continuous)

Ans: He is trying his best. (Present Continuous)

(e) How long you (learn) English? (Present Continuous)

Ans: How long are you learning English? (Present Continuous)

(f) I (write) two letters already. (Present Perfect)

Ans: I have written two letters already. (Present Perfect)

(g) We (wait) here for him since 5 o'clock. (Present Perfect Continuous)

Ans: We have been waiting here for him since 5 o'clock. (Present Perfect Continuous)  

Exercise 3: Use 'since' or 'for' and complete each of the following sentences:

(a) He has been attending this school ___ 1990.

Ans: He has been attending this school since 1990.

(b) She has been suffering from fever ___ last night.

Ans: She has been suffering from fever since last night.

(c) Grandmother has been telling us the story ___ two hours.

Ans: Grandmother has been telling us the story for two hours.

(d) Have you been living here ___ many years?

Ans: Have you been living here for many years?

(e) Mr. Baruah has been teaching us English ___ January last.

Ans: Mr. Baruah has been teaching us English since January last.