Tense Worksheet Practice Exercises with Answers

Lesson 37: Tense

Question 1. For each verb below, decide if it is in its present tense or past tense form: sends
Answer: Present tense
In simple words: The verb "sends" shows an action happening now, in the present time.

Exam Tip: Look for verbs without added endings like "-ed" to spot present tense forms.

Question 2. For each verb below, decide if it is in its present tense or past tense form: felt
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "felt" shows an action that already took place in the past.

Exam Tip: Irregular verbs like "felt" change their form entirely in past tense, not just by adding "-ed".

Question 3. For each verb below, decide if it is in its present tense or past tense form: perceived
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "perceived" has the "-ed" ending added to it, which shows it happened in the past.

Exam Tip: Regular verbs form the past tense by adding the suffix "-ed" to the base form.

Question 4. For each verb below, decide if it is in its present tense or past tense form: am
Answer: Present tense
In simple words: The verb "am" is a present tense form of the verb "be".

Exam Tip: The forms "am," "is," and "are" all show present tense for the verb "be".

Question 5. For each verb below, decide if it is in its present tense or past tense form: has
Answer: Present tense
In simple words: The verb "has" is the present tense form of the helping verb used with past participles.

Exam Tip: The forms "has" and "have" both show present tense; "had" shows past tense.

Question 6. For each verb below, decide if it is in its present tense or past tense form: wrote
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "wrote" is an irregular past tense form that shows an action already finished.

Exam Tip: Irregular verbs like "write" change to "wrote" in the past, not following the regular "-ed" pattern.

Question 7. For each verb below, decide if it is in its present tense or past tense form: sat
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "sat" is the irregular past tense form of "sit".

Exam Tip: Many common verbs like "sit," "see," and "go" have irregular past tense forms you should memorize.

Question 8. For each verb below, decide if it is in its present tense or past tense form: walk
Answer: Present tense
In simple words: The verb "walk" is in its base form, showing a present tense action.

Exam Tip: The base form of a verb without any endings or changes shows the present tense.

Question 9. For each verb below, decide if it is in its present tense or past tense form: arose
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "arose" is the irregular past tense form of "arise".

Exam Tip: Irregular past tense verbs do not follow the "-ed" rule and must be identified individually.

Question 10. For each verb below, decide if it is in its present tense or past tense form: sing
Answer: Present tense
In simple words: The verb "sing" is in its base form and shows a present tense action.

Exam Tip: Verbs in their base form without any helping verbs or endings point to present tense.

Understanding Tense vs. Time

Grammatical tense and real-world time are not always the same. In sentences like "She studied yesterday" and "She was studying yesterday," the tense form and the actual time match - both are past. However, in "I am going to France next summer," the grammatical tense is present (form of "be"), but the real-world time is future. Similarly, "She has bought the books for the course" uses present perfect tense, but refers to a past action. This lesson focuses on grammatical tense form, not real-world time.

Key Concept: Tense Information in Sentences

In simple sentences, tense is carried by a single verb. When a sentence has helping verbs along with a main verb, the first verb always carries the tense information, whether it is a helping verb or the main verb itself. Examples include: "John studies" (present), "John studied" (past), "John has studied" (present perfect), "John is studying" (present progressive), and "John had been studying" (past perfect progressive). Modals such as "might," "can," and "should" do not carry clear tense information, so they are called tenseless - the same modal form can refer to present, future, or past time.

Question 11. Decide if each sentence is in the present or past tense. They deliver furniture on Tuesdays.
Answer: Present tense
In simple words: The verb "deliver" is in its base form and shows a repeated action happening now.

Exam Tip: Look for verbs with no helping verbs and no "-ed" ending to spot simple present tense.

Question 12. Decide if each sentence is in the present or past tense. The senator supports that bill.
Answer: Present tense
In simple words: The verb "supports" shows a present-time action with the "-s" ending.

Exam Tip: Present tense verbs often end in "-s" when the subject is third-person singular.

Question 13. Decide if each sentence is in the present or past tense. I voted for him.
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "voted" has the "-ed" ending, showing a past action.

Exam Tip: Regular verbs ending in "-ed" show simple past tense, indicating an action already finished.

Question 14. Decide if each sentence is in the present or past tense. I ate a sandwich for lunch.
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "ate" is the irregular past tense form of "eat" and shows a finished action.

Exam Tip: Irregular past tense verbs change their form completely, so recognize them by memorizing common examples.

Question 15. Decide if each sentence is in the present or past tense. The shortstop hit a home run.
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "hit" is an irregular past tense form that stays the same in present and past.

Exam Tip: Some irregular verbs have the same form in both present and past tense; context tells you which time is meant.

Question 16. Decide if each sentence is in the present or past tense. Michigan State beat Ohio State.
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "beat" is an irregular verb in past tense showing a finished event.

Exam Tip: Irregular past tense forms must be recognized from your knowledge of verb patterns.

Question 17. Decide if each sentence is in the present or past tense. Our niece studies anthropology.
Answer: Present tense
In simple words: The verb "studies" shows a current ongoing action with the "-s" ending for third-person singular.

Exam Tip: Present tense with "-s" ending describes actions that happen regularly or are true now.

Question 18. Decide if each sentence is in the present or past tense. The weather is humid today.
Answer: Present tense
In simple words: The verb "is" is the present tense form of "be" showing a current state.

Exam Tip: Forms of "be" like "is," "am," and "are" always indicate present tense.

Question 19. Decide if each sentence is in the present or past tense. The repairman arrived at noon.
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "arrived" has the "-ed" ending and shows an action that finished in the past.

Exam Tip: Regular verbs add "-ed" to form the simple past tense.

Question 20. Decide if each sentence is in the present or past tense. My daughter came for a visit.
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "came" is an irregular past tense form showing a past event.

Exam Tip: Irregular verbs like "come" change to "came" in the past tense and should be memorized.

Future Tense

Sentences with future tense use the modal helping verb "will" followed by the base form of the main verb. Examples include "John will study tomorrow" and "Jessica will visit her soon." The future tense can also be formed with "shall," though "shall" has limited use in American English and is mainly found in formal styles.

Question 21. Decide if each sentence is in the present, past, or future tense. He sleeps late on weekends.
Answer: Present tense
In simple words: The verb "sleeps" shows a regular action that happens now or repeatedly.

Exam Tip: Simple present tense describes habits, routines, or general truths.

Question 22. Decide if each sentence is in the present, past, or future tense. Zach was proud of his son.
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "was" is the past tense form of "be" and shows a past state.

Exam Tip: "Was" and "were" are the past tense forms of "be".

Question 23. Decide if each sentence is in the present, past, or future tense. Bethany will get married soon.
Answer: Future tense
In simple words: The verb phrase "will get" shows an action that will take place at a later time.

Exam Tip: The modal "will" always signals future tense.

Question 24. Decide if each sentence is in the present, past, or future tense. The show began promptly at 8 P.M.
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "began" is an irregular past tense form showing an event that already finished.

Exam Tip: Irregular past tense verbs change their form; "begin" becomes "began".

Question 25. Decide if each sentence is in the present, past, or future tense. My sister will run in the New York City marathon.
Answer: Future tense
In simple words: The verb phrase "will run" uses "will" to show an action planned for the future.

Exam Tip: Any sentence with "will" plus a main verb is in the future tense.

Question 26. Decide if each sentence is in the present, past, or future tense. The coffee tasted bitter.
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "tasted" is a regular past tense form showing a past event.

Exam Tip: Regular verbs add "-ed" to show past tense.

Question 27. Decide if each sentence is in the present, past, or future tense. I study in England every summer.
Answer: Present tense
In simple words: The verb "study" shows a repeated action that occurs in the present or regularly.

Exam Tip: Present tense can show habits or routines that happen repeatedly.

Question 28. Decide if each sentence is in the present, past, or future tense. My younger brother beat me at chess.
Answer: Past tense
In simple words: The verb "beat" is an irregular past tense form showing a finished action.

Exam Tip: Irregular verbs do not follow the "-ed" pattern and must be recognized individually.

Question 29. Decide if each sentence is in the present, past, or future tense. Stu gets up at 7 A.M. every morning.
Answer: Present tense
In simple words: The verb "gets" is in present tense with "-s" ending for third-person singular, showing a regular morning action.

Exam Tip: Present tense describes routines or actions that happen regularly.

Question 30. Decide if each sentence is in the present, past, or future tense. We will hold a family reunion in July.
Answer: Future tense
In simple words: The verb phrase "will hold" uses "will" to show a planned future event.

Exam Tip: The presence of "will" before the main verb always marks future tense.

Perfect Tense with "Have"

Sentences with the helping verb "have" also change form to show tense. The verb form after "have" is always in its past participle form, which does not change to show tense. When a sentence has both tense and aspect (perfect aspect in this case), the term "tense" is used to describe it. So "I have bought the books" is in present perfect tense, while "I had bought the books" is in past perfect tense. The present tense forms of "have" are "have" and "has," while the past tense form is "had."

Question 31. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect or past perfect tense. She had wanted to do everything her way.
Answer: Past perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "had" is the past tense form, so this sentence is in past perfect tense.

Exam Tip: When you see "had" followed by a past participle, the tense is past perfect.

Question 32. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect or past perfect tense. Martha has known about the surprise.
Answer: Present perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "has" is the present tense form, making this sentence present perfect tense.

Exam Tip: When "has" or "have" precedes a past participle, the tense is present perfect.

Question 33. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect or past perfect tense. Samantha had decided to do that.
Answer: Past perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "had" shows past tense, making this sentence past perfect tense.

Exam Tip: "Had" always marks past perfect tense when followed by a past participle.

Question 34. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect or past perfect tense. I have written to him about that issue.
Answer: Present perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "have" is in present tense form, so this is present perfect tense.

Exam Tip: "Have" marks present perfect tense when followed by a past participle.

Question 35. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect or past perfect tense. You have been a good friend.
Answer: Present perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "have" is in present tense, making this sentence present perfect tense.

Exam Tip: "Have" combined with a past participle shows present perfect tense.

Question 36. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect or past perfect tense. They have purchased a new home.
Answer: Present perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "have" is in present tense form, showing present perfect tense.

Exam Tip: Use "have" or "has" with a past participle for present perfect tense.

Question 37. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect or past perfect tense. On our trip, we had converted $200 to euros.
Answer: Past perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "had" is in past tense, making this sentence past perfect tense.

Exam Tip: "Had" with a past participle always shows past perfect tense.

Question 38. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect or past perfect tense. Andy has promised to tell the truth.
Answer: Present perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "has" is in present tense form, so this is present perfect tense.

Exam Tip: "Has" followed by a past participle marks present perfect tense.

Question 39. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect or past perfect tense. The detective had found an important witness.
Answer: Past perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "had" shows past tense, making this sentence past perfect tense.

Exam Tip: "Had" with any past participle signals past perfect tense.

Question 40. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect or past perfect tense. The Democrats have won the presidency.
Answer: Present perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "have" is in present tense, making this sentence present perfect tense.

Exam Tip: "Have" with a past participle always shows present perfect tense.

Future Perfect Tense

Sentences with both "will" and a form of "have" as helping verbs are in the future perfect tense. Examples include "John will have studied by then" and "It will have been an easy test." These sentences combine the future time indicator "will" with the perfect aspect shown by "have."

Question 41. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect tense. They have finished the assignment.
Answer: Present perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "have" is in present tense form, making this sentence present perfect tense.

Exam Tip: Look for "have" or "has" without "will" to identify present perfect tense.

Question 42. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect tense. The alarm clock will have gone off by then.
Answer: Future perfect tense
In simple words: The verbs "will have" combine to show a future event that will be completed by a specific time.

Exam Tip: When "will" comes before a form of "have," the tense is future perfect.

Question 43. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect tense. Linda had locked the door.
Answer: Past perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "had" is in past tense, making this sentence past perfect tense.

Exam Tip: "Had" followed by a past participle always indicates past perfect tense.

Question 44. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect tense. My friend John has been a great help to me.
Answer: Present perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "has" is in present tense, so this sentence is present perfect tense.

Exam Tip: "Has" with a past participle signals present perfect tense.

Question 45. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect tense. By then, I will have finished studying.
Answer: Future perfect tense
In simple words: The verbs "will have" show that the action will be completed by a specific future time.

Exam Tip: "Will" combined with "have" and a past participle creates future perfect tense.

Question 46. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect tense. Frank had appeared in a movie once.
Answer: Past perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "had" is in past tense, making this sentence past perfect tense.

Exam Tip: "Had" always indicates past perfect tense when used with a past participle.

Question 47. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect tense. You have encouraged me many times.
Answer: Present perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "have" is in present tense, so this sentence is present perfect tense.

Exam Tip: "Have" with a past participle shows present perfect tense.

Question 48. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect tense. She has written a letter to her sister.
Answer: Present perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "has" is in present tense, making this sentence present perfect tense.

Exam Tip: "Has" followed by a past participle marks present perfect tense.

Question 49. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect tense. There had been a flood of inquiries.
Answer: Past perfect tense
In simple words: The verb "had" is in past tense, so this sentence is past perfect tense.

Exam Tip: "Had" with any past participle always indicates past perfect tense.

Question 50. Decide if each sentence is in the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect tense. You will have left a great legacy to your children.
Answer: Future perfect tense
In simple words: The verbs "will have" combine to show an action completed at a future time.

Exam Tip: "Will" before "have" and a past participle always marks future perfect tense.

Progressive Tense with "Be"