Practice Questions
Bank updating
Concept Explanation
Tense questions test correct time reference: simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous forms. Context (time markers, since/for, when-clauses) decides the form.
How to solve fast
- Underline time expressions (yesterday, since 2020, when I arrived).
- Continuous = ongoing; perfect = link to another time; simple = fact or habit.
- Do not shift tense without a reason in the sentence.
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Q1 EasyShe ___ here since 2019.ExplanationSince + starting point takes present perfect.
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Q2 EasyIf it rains tomorrow, we ___ the picnic.ExplanationFirst conditional: present in if, will in the result.
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Q3 EasyIf I ___ you, I would accept the offer.ExplanationUnreal present conditional uses were after if I.
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Q4 EasyHe ___ the news when I called.ExplanationAn action in progress at a past moment uses past continuous.
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Q5 EasyThe train ___ before we reached the station.ExplanationThe earlier of two past actions uses past perfect.
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Q6 EasyWater ___ at 100 degrees Celsius.ExplanationScientific facts stay in the simple present.
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Q7 EasyLook! The children ___ in the yard.ExplanationLook! points to an action happening now.
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Q8 EasyI ___ this letter yesterday.ExplanationA finished time word (yesterday) takes simple past, not present perfect.
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Q9 EasyShe usually ___ to work by bus.ExplanationUsually marks a simple-present habit.
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Q10 EasyWe ___ dinner when the lights went out.ExplanationPast continuous frames the interrupted action.
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Q11 EasyI wish the printer ___ faster.ExplanationI wish about a present situation takes a past-form verb.
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Q12 EasyHe ___ the alarm when the message arrived.ExplanationPast continuous for the background action.
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Q13 EasyThe sun ___ when we started.ExplanationBackground weather at a past start uses past continuous.
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Q14 EasyShe ___ just ___ the email.ExplanationJust commonly pairs with present perfect.
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Q15 EasyWe ___ never ___ this hallway so quiet.ExplanationNever + life experience to now uses present perfect.
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Q16 EasyHe ___ to Delhi last Monday.ExplanationLast Monday is a finished time, so simple past is required.
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Q17 EasyI ___ never ___ such a storm.ExplanationNever with life experience to now uses present perfect.
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Q18 EasyWhile I ___, the kettle boiled.ExplanationWhile + past continuous, simple past for the shorter event.
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Q19 EasyShe ___ the piano since she was six.ExplanationSince she was six continues to the present: present perfect.
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Q20 EasyLook! The tide ___ faster than usual.ExplanationLook! requires present continuous.
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Q21 EasyIf he ___ harder, he would pass.ExplanationSecond conditional uses past in the if-clause.
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Q22 EasyThey ___ the house before the guests came.ExplanationThe earlier past action uses past perfect.
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Q23 EasyThe film ___ by the time we sat down.ExplanationBy the time + past pairs with past perfect.
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Q24 EasyNext year they ___ in a new office.ExplanationA future-in-progress plan can use future continuous.
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Q25 MediumThey ___ for two hours when the bus arrived.ExplanationA duration before a past point takes past perfect continuous.
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Q26 MediumThe intern ___ the logs since dawn and is still at the desk.ExplanationSince dawn + still continuing uses present perfect continuous.
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Q27 MediumBy next March she ___ the course.ExplanationBy + future time takes future perfect.
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Q28 MediumIf the spare key ___ in the bag, we would not be locked out.ExplanationUnreal present uses were in the if-clause.
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Q29 MediumBy 8 p.m. the crew ___ the last cable.ExplanationBy 8 p.m. as a future point takes future perfect.
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Q30 MediumHe ___ in this office for ten years now.ExplanationFor + duration continuing to now takes present perfect continuous.
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Q31 MediumIf she had left earlier, she ___ the train.ExplanationThird conditional: had + past participle, would have + past participle.
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Q32 MediumI wish I ___ the answer.ExplanationI wish about the present takes a past-form verb.
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Q33 MediumIt is time we ___ home.ExplanationIt is time + subject takes a past-form verb.
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Q34 MediumBy the time you arrive, we ___ the hall.ExplanationBy the time + present points to a future perfect result.
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Q35 MediumIf they had labelled the wires, the repair ___ safer.ExplanationThird conditional result uses would have been.
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Q36 MediumThe committee ___ tomorrow at ten.ExplanationA fixed timetable can use simple present for the future.
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Q37 MediumI ___ this novel for a week and I am still on chapter two.ExplanationAn unfinished action over a period uses present perfect continuous.
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Q38 MediumIt is high time the team ___ a backup plan.ExplanationIt is high time takes a past-form verb.
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Q39 MediumShe said she ___ the keys.ExplanationBackshift after she said commonly uses past perfect.
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Q40 MediumShe ___ in the queue for an hour when the counter opened.ExplanationDuration before a past opening uses past perfect continuous.