Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the verbs in the simple present or
present continuous tense. You can use some of the verbs from the box more than
once.
buy stand carry take cost travel do use
go visit like watch miss work play
1 My brother __________________________ this CD very much.
2 He __________________________ in China this summer.
3 We __________________________ to lunch now. Would you like to
join us?
4 We always __________________________ Grandma on Sundays.
5 In this photo, we __________________________ volleyball on the beach.
6 I __________________________ tennis every day.
7 My father can’t come to the phone now. He __________________________ a shower.
8 My father __________________________ as an accountant in a big company.
9 I think this pen __________________________ HK$8.
10 I can’t play online games now. My brother __________________________ the computer to do
his homework.
11 A: ______________ you ___________________ your homework now?
B: Yes, I __________________________.
12 This photo was taken when I was three. My father __________________________ me on his
shoulders.
13 People ______________ always ___________________ new mobile phones.
14 Can you see Anna? She __________________________ at the bus stop.
15 ______________ you still ___________________ TV?
16 A: ______________ they _________________ to Ocean Park on Sunday?
B: No, they __________________________.
17 She often __________________________ class because of illness.
18 A: ______________ you _________________ Kelly Chan’s songs?
B: Yes, I ______________, but my brother _________________.
I have been to Spain three times. (At some unspecified time in the past, I went to Spain).
Compare with the simple past:
I went to Spain three times in 2005. (specified time in the past - the year 2005)
2. An action that occurred in the past, but has a result in the present (now)
We can't find our luggage. Have you seen it? (The luggage was lost in the past, do you know where it is now?)
3. Talking about general experiences (ever, never)
It usually refers to an event happening at some moment in your life.
Has she ever tried Chilean wine before? (in her life)
I've never eaten monkey brains before. (in my life)
4. Events that recently occurred (just)
Do you want to go to a restaurant with me? No, thanks. I've just eaten lunch. (I recently ate lunch.)
5. Events that have occurred up to now (yet)
Are Carlos and Rodrigo here? No, they haven't arrived yet. (they're still not here now)
6. Events that occurred before you expected (already)
I've already graduated from University. (I expected to graduate at a later date.)
7. Events that began in the past and haven't changed (for, since)
Mike has worked at Woodward for 3 years. (Mike started working at Woodward 3 years ago and he still works there now.)
Julie has worked at Woodward since September of last year. (Julie began working at Woodward in September of last year, and that hasn't changed - she still works here now.)
I (visit) lots of interesting places. I (be) with two friends of mine .
In the mornings we (walk) in the streets of London.
In the evenings we (go) to pubs.
The weather (be) strangely fine.
It (not / rain) a lot.
But we (see) some beautiful rainbows.
Where (spend / you) your last holiday?
Put the verbs into thePast Continuous Tense
The past continuous tenseis used to talk about actions or events that were in progress around a particular past time. Test your knowledge ofpast continuous tensewith this grammar exercise.
Fill in the blanks with appropriate past continuous form of the verb given in the brackets.
1. I ……………………………….. TV at eight o’clock yesterday evening.
a) was watching b) watched c) am watching
2. I ……………………………… all day yesterday.
a) painted b) was painting c) had painted
3. They …………………………………… the whole time they were together.
a) quarreled b) were quarreling c) are quarreling
4. As I ……………………………….. down the road, I saw Philip.
a) were walking b) was walking c) walked
5. The phone rang while I ……………………………………. dinner.
a) was having b) had c) am having
6. It happened while I ………………………………….. in Southampton last year.
a) lived b) was living c) had been living
7. When I entered her room, she …………………………………. the piano.
a) was playing b) played c) were playing
8. When I got up this morning, the sun …………………………………….
a) shone b) was shining c) were shining
9. At the time when it happened, I ………………………………… to the opera a lot.
Directions: Select the correct form of the verb in the sentence.
1. Some peopleis/are/am very good at math.
2. Somebody have/has the winning lottery ticket.
3. The doctor who has visited dozens of countries and has helped thousands of patients all around the world is/are/am over there.
4. There is/are/am two sides to every argument.
5. 5,280 feet is/are/am a mile.
6. Jill as well as Jack is/are/am up the hill.
7. Either Heather or I go/goes .
8. A: There is/are/am a lot of people here. B: Yeah. Everybody is/are/am here for you. All of them is/are/am waiting to listen to your speech.
9. Ten dollars is/are/am a nice raise. I need the extra money.
10. Rice is/are/am a common food all over the world. It is/are/am very cheap. Two bags of rice cost/costs only £7. 11. Either the bus driver or the motorcycle rider is/are/am responsible for the accident. 12. Neither the 23 children in the class nor Tony seem/seems to be upset about failing the spelling bee. 13. A large number of countries is/are/am members of the United Nations. 14. Not only the fans but also the team's head coach was/were shocked to be in the championship game. 15. The number of computer advances is/are/am increasing every year.
