English Verb Tenses

Put the verbs between parentheses into the correct tense.

1.
IMIS.

When Carol (call) _______________this afternoon, I (enter) ______________ data into

2.
I (work) ________________for this Organization for more than thirty years, and intend to
stay here until I retire!
3.
Sharon (love) _______________to travel. She (go) _______________abroad almost every
summer. Next year, she plans (go) _______________ to Peru.
4.
Shashi Tharoor is an author. He (write) _______________ numerous articles, short stories
and commentaries in both Indian and Western publications. He (write) _______________since he was
quite young. In fact, by the time he was only 22, he (earn, already) ___________________ his PhD from
the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University. Altogether, he (write) _______________
seven books, four non-fiction and three fiction.
5.
We were late because of a subway delay. By the time we (get) _____________ to the office,
Susan (wait) _______________for us for more than an hour.
6.
Sam (try) _______________to catch a bus when he (slip) __________ and (fell)
_______________.
7.
Everyday I (wake) _______________up at 6 o'clock, (eat) _______________ breakfast at 7
o'clock and (leave) _______________for work at 8 o'clock. However, this morning I (get)
_______________up at 6:30, (skip) _______________breakfast and (leave) _______________for work
late because I (forget) _______________to set my alarm.
8.
Sometimes I feel a bit bored because I always do the same thing. In fact, as I write this, my
Chinese pool colleagues (type) _______________ documents. Yesterday at this time, we (do)
_______________the same thing. We (type) ________________ documents. Tomorrow at this time, we
(do, also) _______________the same thing. We (type) ____________________ UN documents. Its a
very predictable job!
9.
By this time next year, you (pass) _______________the G to P exam and (get)
_______________a higher post. I, on the other hand, (accomplish, not) _______________anything. I
(work, still) _______________ in this same old position, and you (work) _______________in some new
high paying job.
10.
The minutes (be, usually) _______________taken by Mrs. Monty. However, given that Mrs.
Monty is away on leave, this week they (be) _______________ taken by Mr. Tanzer.

Phrasal verbs in English - Fill-in Exercise

Use the following verbs (believe, fill, get, look, put, switch, take, throw, turn, try) and the prepositions (away,
down, for, in, off, on, out) an form meaningful sentences.
Example: My parents are out. So I have to _________ my baby-brother.
Answer: My parents are out. So I have to look after my baby-brother.

1) Quick! _________the bus. It's ready to leave.

2) I don't know where my book is. I have to _________it.
3) It's dark inside. Can you _________the light, please?
4) _________the form, please.
5) I need some new clothes. Why don't you _________these jeans?
6) It's warm inside. _________your coat.
7) This pencil is really old. You can _________it_________.
8) It's so loud here. Can you _________ the radio a little.
9) The firemen were able to _________the fire in Church Street.
10) Does your little brother _________ghosts?

Passive - various tenses - Exercise

Put in the correct form of the verb in Passive into the gaps. Use the verb and the tense given in brackets.
Example:
A letter __________ by Peter. (to write - Simple Present)
Answer:
A letter is written by Peter.

1) The words _______________________by the teacher today. (to explain - Simple Present)
2) We ________________________a letter the day before yesterday. (to send - Simple Past)
3) This car________________________. It's too old. (not/to steal - will-future)
4) This street _________________________ because of snow. (already/to close - Present Perfect)
5) A new restaurant ______________________________ next week. (to open - will-future)
6) He _______________________________to the party yesterday. (to invite - Simple Past)
7) The blue box _______________________________ . (can/not/to see - Simple Present)
8) I _________________________ the book by my friend last Sunday. (to give - Simple Past)
9) The dishes ______________________by my little brother. (not/to wash - Present Perfect)
10) I _____________________________by Robert. (not/to ask - will-future)

Passive sentences - Exercise

Rewrite the given sentences in Passive voice. Sometimes there are two possible answers (two objects in the active
sentence).
Do not use contracted/short forms.
Example:
Tim gave Lisa some flowers.
_______________________
Answer:
Some flowers were given to Lisa by Tim. or
Lisa was given some flowers by Tim.

1) They don't speak English in this shop.

_____________________________________________________________________.
2) Kevin asked Dennis a question.
_____________________________________________________________________.
3) Somebody built the house last year.
_____________________________________________________________________.
4) She gives him a box
_____________________________________________________________________.
5) Max will look after him.
____________________________________________________________________ .
6) The waiter brought Fred a big steak.
_____________________________________________________________________.
7) Somebody broke into our bungalow last Friday.
_____________________________________________________________________.
8) The teacher told us a joke.
_____________________________________________________________________.
9) They will meet Doris at the station.
_____________________________________________________________________.
10) Michael has not sent me a text message.
_____________________________________________________________________.