All 16 Tenses in English Grammar – Definitions Rules Examples Exercises

Ever wondered how to perfectly express when something happens in English? English tenses are like a time compass that helps us navigate through past, present, and future. Let’s master each tense with clear definitions, examples, and practical usage.

Tense is a way to show when something happens in a sentence – whether it’s happening now, happened before, or will happen later. It’s like a time stamp for verbs that tells you if an action is in the past, present, or future.

Tense is a grammatical tool that helps us understand the timing of an action by changing the form of a verb. It helps us know if someone is doing something right now (present), did something earlier (past), or will do something later (future).

Examples:

• Present Tense: “I walk” (happening now)
• Past Tense: “I walked” (happened before)
• Future Tense: “I will walk” (going to happen)

Tense Group	Tense Type	Structure	Example	Usage
Simple Tenses	Simple Present	Subject + base verb	I walk	Habitual actions, general truths
	Simple Past	Subject + past tense verb	I walked	Completed actions in the past
	Simple Future	Subject + will + base verb	I will walk	Planned future actions
Continuous Tenses	Present Continuous	Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing	I am walking	Actions happening right now
	Past Continuous	Subject + was/were + verb-ing	I was walking	Ongoing actions in the past
	Future Continuous	Subject + will be + verb-ing	I will be walking	Ongoing actions in the future
Perfect Tenses	Present Perfect	Subject + have/has + past participle	I have walked	Actions completed in recent past
	Past Perfect	Subject + had + past participle	I had walked	Actions completed before another past action
	Future Perfect	Subject + will have + past participle	I will have walked	Actions that will be completed by a future time
Perfect Continuous Tenses	Present Perfect Continuous	Subject + have/has been + verb-ing	I have been walking	Ongoing actions that started in the past and continue
	Past Perfect Continuous	Subject + had been + verb-ing	I had been walking	Ongoing actions before another past action
	Future Perfect Continuous	Subject + will have been + verb-ing	I will have been walking	Ongoing actions that will continue until a future point

Present Tense Forms

1. Simple Present

Definition: Expresses habits, routines, facts, or general truths that are always or usually true.

Structure	Affirmative	Negative	Question
Formula	Subject + V1/V1+s	Subject + don’t/doesn’t + V1	Do/Does + Subject + V1
Example	He plays football.	He doesn’t play football.	Does he play football?

Usage Examples:

1. Facts: Water freezes at 0°C.
2. Habits: She walks to work every day.
3. Schedules: The train leaves at 9 AM.

2. Present Continuous

Definition: Describes actions happening right now or temporary situations that are ongoing.

Structure	Affirmative	Negative	Question
Formula	Subject + am/is/are + V1+ing	Subject + am/is/are + not + V1+ing	Am/Is/Are + Subject + V1+ing?
Example	She is studying now.	She is not studying now.	Is she studying now?

Usage Examples:

1. Current actions: I am writing an email.
2. Temporary situations: They are living in Paris this year.
3. Future arrangements: We are meeting tomorrow.

3. Present Perfect

Definition: Shows completed actions with present relevance or continuing situations from past to present.

Structure	Affirmative	Negative	Question
Formula	Subject + have/has + V3	Subject + have/has + not + V3	Have/Has + Subject + V3?
Example	I have finished work.	I haven’t finished work.	Have you finished work?

Usage Examples:

1. Completed actions: She has visited Paris three times.
2. Continuing situations: I have lived here for ten years.
3. Recent past: They have just arrived.

4. Present Perfect Continuous

Definition: Describes actions that started in the past and continue until now, emphasizing duration.

Structure	Affirmative	Negative	Question
Formula	Subject + have/has been + V1+ing	Subject + have/has not been + V1+ing	Have/Has + Subject + been + V1+ing?
Example	I have been working for hours.	I haven’t been working long.	Have you been working long?

Usage Examples:

1. Ongoing actions: We have been waiting since 2 PM.
2. Recent continuous: It has been raining all day.
3. Explaining present results: I’m tired because I have been running.

Past Tense Forms

1. Simple Past

Definition: Describes completed actions or states in the past with a specific time reference.

Structure	Affirmative	Negative	Question
Formula	Subject + V2	Subject + didn’t + V1	Did + Subject + V1?
Example	She walked home.	She didn’t walk home.	Did she walk home?

Usage Examples:

1. Completed actions: I visited London last year.
2. Past states: He lived in Paris for five years.
3. Sequential actions: She went to the store and bought groceries.

2. Past Continuous

Definition: Shows actions in progress at a specific time in the past or actions interrupted by another event.

Structure	Affirmative	Negative	Question
Formula	Subject + was/were + V1+ing	Subject + was/were not + V1+ing	Was/Were + Subject + V1+ing?
Example	I was sleeping when you called.	I wasn’t sleeping then.	Were you sleeping?

Usage Examples:

1. Past ongoing actions: They were playing tennis at 3 PM.
2. Interrupted actions: I was cooking when the power went out.
3. Parallel past actions: While he was reading, she was painting.

3. Past Perfect

Definition: Expresses actions completed before another point in the past.

Structure	Affirmative	Negative	Question
Formula	Subject + had + V3	Subject + had not + V3	Had + Subject + V3?
Example	I had finished before noon.	I hadn’t finished then.	Had you finished?

Usage Examples:

1. Earlier past actions: When I arrived, they had already left.
2. Unfulfilled wishes: If I had studied, I would have passed.
3. Reported speech: She said she had seen the movie.

4. Past Perfect Continuous

Definition: Shows actions that continued up until another point in the past, emphasizing duration.

Structure	Affirmative	Negative	Question
Formula	Subject + had been + V1+ing	Subject + had not been + V1+ing	Had + Subject + been + V1+ing?
Example	We had been talking for hours.	We hadn’t been talking long.	Had you been talking?

Usage Examples:

1. Duration before past: I had been working for six hours when she called.
2. Explaining past results: I was tired because I had been running.
3. Past ongoing actions: They had been living there before the war.

Future Tense Forms

1. Simple Future (Will)

Definition: Expresses predictions, spontaneous decisions, or promises about the future.

Structure	Affirmative	Negative	Question
Formula	Subject + will + V1	Subject + will not + V1	Will + Subject + V1?
Example	I will help you.	I won’t help you.	Will you help me?

Usage Examples:

1. Predictions: It will rain tomorrow.
2. Promises: I will call you tonight.
3. Spontaneous decisions: I will take this one.

2. Future Continuous

Definition: Describes actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.

Structure	Affirmative	Negative	Question
Formula	Subject + will be + V1+ing	Subject + will not be + V1+ing	Will + Subject + be + V1+ing?
Example	I will be working at 8 PM.	I won’t be working then.	Will you be working?

Usage Examples:

1. Future ongoing actions: This time tomorrow, I will be flying to Paris.
2. Polite enquiries: Will you be using the car later?
3. Predicted ongoing actions: He will be studying when you arrive.

3. Future Perfect

Definition: Shows actions that will be completed before a specific point in the future.

Structure	Affirmative	Negative	Question
Formula	Subject + will have + V3	Subject + will not have + V3	Will + Subject + have + V3?
Example	I will have finished by 5 PM.	I won’t have finished by then.	Will you have finished?

Usage Examples:

1. Completed future: By next week, I will have completed the project.
2. Future before future: Before you wake up, I will have left.
3. Duration until future: By December, I will have worked here for ten years.

4. Future Perfect Continuous

Definition: Describes actions that will continue up until a specific point in the future, emphasizing duration.

Structure	Affirmative	Negative	Question
Formula	Subject + will have been + V1+ing	Subject + will not have been + V1+ing	Will + Subject + have been + V1+ing?
Example	I will have been working for 10 hours.	I won’t have been working that long.	Will you have been working?

Usage Examples:

1. Duration until future: By June, I will have been teaching for 20 years.
2. Ongoing future actions: Next week, we will have been living here for a month.
3. Future continuous duration: By midnight, it will have been snowing for 24 hours.

Going to’ Future and Special Cases

1. ‘Going to’ Future

Definition: Expresses planned future actions or predictions based on present evidence.

Structure	Affirmative	Negative	Question
Formula	Subject + am/is/are going to + V1	Subject + am/is/are not going to + V1	Am/Is/Are + Subject + going to + V1?
Example	I am going to study tonight.	I’m not going to study.	Are you going to study?

Usage Examples:

1. Future plans: We are going to buy a house.
2. Evidence-based predictions: Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.
3. Intentions: I am going to learn Japanese next year.

Special Tense Cases

1. Future in the Past

Definition: Describes future events from a past perspective.

Structure	Example	Usage
was/were going to + V1	I was going to call you.	Changed or abandoned plans
would + V1	She would become famous.	Past predictions

2. Mixed Time References

Type	Example	Explanation
Zero Conditional	If ice melts, it becomes water.	Universal truths
First Conditional	If it rains, I will stay home.	Possible future
Second Conditional	If I had money, I would travel.	Hypothetical present
Third Conditional	If I had studied, I would have passed.	Impossible past

Time Markers for Different Tenses

Tense	Common Time Markers
Present Simple	always, usually, often, every day
Present Continuous	now, at the moment, currently
Present Perfect	just, already, yet, ever, never
Past Simple	yesterday, last week, ago, in 2020
Future Simple	tomorrow, next week, in the future

Common Irregular Verbs Table

Base Form	Past Simple	Past Participle
be	was/were	been
do	did	done
go	went	gone
have	had	had
say	said	said
see	saw	seen
take	took	taken
write	wrote	written

 

Practice Exercises and Common Mistakes

General Tense Practice

1. Mixed Tense Exercise Complete with correct tense forms:

Sentence Start	Correct Form	Explanation
I _____ (wait) here since morning.	have been waiting	Present Perfect Continuous for ongoing action
By next month, she _____ (work) here for 10 years.	will have been working	Future Perfect Continuous for duration
When I arrived, the movie _____ (already/start).	had already started	Past Perfect for earlier past action

2. Time Clause Exercise

Base Sentence	Correct Form	Rule Applied
When I _____ (get) home, I _____ (call) you.	get, will call	Simple Present with Future
While she _____ (cook), he _____ (clean).	was cooking, was cleaning	Past Continuous for parallel actions
After I _____ (finish), I _____ (help) you.	have finished, will help	Present Perfect with Future

Common Mistakes and Corrections

1. Present Perfect vs Simple Past

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I have gone there yesterday.	I went there yesterday.	Specific past time needs Simple Past
I already went there.	I have already gone there.	‘Already’ typically uses Present Perfect
I never saw that movie.	I have never seen that movie.	‘Never’ with present relevance uses Present Perfect

2. Continuous vs Simple Forms

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I am knowing the answer.	I know the answer.	State verbs don’t use continuous
I see her tomorrow.	I am seeing her tomorrow.	Arranged future needs Present Continuous
He is having a car.	He has a car.	Possession uses Simple Present

Advanced Usage and Special Cases

1. State Verbs Special Rules

Verb Type	Simple Form	Continuous Form	Meaning Change
think	I think he’s right. (believe)	I’m thinking about it. (considering)	Mental process
have	I have a car. (possess)	I’m having lunch. (doing/experiencing)	Action vs. possession
look	She looks happy. (appears)	She’s looking at me. (action of seeing)	State vs. action
be	She is kind. (permanent)	She’s being kind. (temporary behavior)	Character vs. behavior

2. Modal Verbs with Different Tenses

Time	Structure	Example	Usage
Present	modal + V1	You should study.	Current advice
Past	modal + have + V3	You should have studied.	Past advice
Future	modal + be + V-ing	You must be leaving soon.	Future probability

3. Passive Voice in Different Tenses

Tense	Active	Passive	Structure
Present Simple	They build houses.	Houses are built.	am/is/are + V3
Present Perfect	They have built houses.	Houses have been built.	have/has been + V3
Future	They will build houses.	Houses will be built.	will be + V3

4. Conditional Mixed Tenses

Type	If Clause	Main Clause	Usage
Mixed 1	If + Present Perfect	Future Simple	Past affecting future
Mixed 2	If + Past Perfect	Would + Present	Past affecting present
Mixed 3	If + Past Perfect	Would + Perfect	Complete hypothetical

Example Table:

Conditional	Example	Meaning
Mixed 1	If you have finished work, we will go out.	Past completion affecting future
Mixed 2	If you had told me earlier, I would know now.	Past affecting present knowledge
Mixed 3	If I had studied, I would have passed.	Complete past hypothetical

 

Advanced Concepts and Special Applications

1. Perfect Modals in Different Contexts

Modal Type	Past Form	Example	Usage
Possibility	might/may have + V3	He might have missed the train.	Past uncertainty
Necessity	must have + V3	She must have left early.	Past logical conclusion
Obligation	should have + V3	You should have called.	Past unfulfilled duty
Ability	could have + V3	I could have won.	Past unrealized ability

2. Time Clauses with Future Reference

Time Word	Present Tense	Future Reference	Rule
when	When I see her	I will tell her	Present for future
before	Before she leaves	I will finish	Present with future
after	After he has arrived	We will eat	Present Perfect with future
until	Until it stops	I will wait	Present for future

3. Reported Speech Tense Changes

Direct Speech	Reported Speech	Tense Change
“I am working”	He said he was working	Present Continuous → Past Continuous
“I have finished”	She said she had finished	Present Perfect → Past Perfect
“I will help”	They said they would help	Will → Would
“I can do it”	He said he could do it	Can → Could

4. Sequence of Tenses

First Action	Second Action	Example	Rule
Past Simple	Past Perfect	When I arrived, she had left	Earlier action in Past Perfect
Present Perfect	Present	Since he has arrived, he is happy	Current result of past action
Future Perfect	Future Simple	By the time you arrive, I will have finished	Completed future before another

 

Practical Applications and Complex Usage

1. Narrative Tenses

Tense Combination	Example	Purpose
Past Simple + Past Continuous	I was reading when she called	Background + Main event
Past Perfect + Past Simple	After I had eaten, I went to bed	Sequential events
Past Continuous + Past Continuous	While I was cooking, she was studying	Parallel actions

2. Academic Writing Tenses

Context	Tense	Example	Usage
Literature Review	Present Perfect	Studies have shown that…	Previous research
Methodology	Past Simple	The experiment was conducted…	Completed procedures
Results	Present Simple	The data indicates that…	Current findings
Discussion	Present Perfect/Simple	This study has demonstrated/shows…	Conclusions

3. Business English Tenses

Situation	Tense	Example	Purpose
Emails	Present Perfect	I have attached the report.	Completed actions
Meetings	Present Continuous	We are discussing the budget.	Current process
Presentations	Going to	We are going to launch next month.	Planned future
Negotiations	Would/Could	We would be interested in…	Polite suggestions

4. Common Expressions with Fixed Tenses

Expression	Fixed Tense	Example	Note
Used to	Past Simple	I used to play tennis.	Past habits
Would rather	Past/Present	I would rather stay home.	Preferences
It’s time	Past Simple	It’s time we left.	Present/Future meaning
Wish	Past/Past Perfect	I wish I knew/had known.	Present/Past regrets

 

Comprehensive Tense Practice Exercises

        ( Check the answer below)

Exercise Set 1: Present Tenses

Fill in the blanks with the correct present tense form:

1. Sarah _____ (work) at the hospital now.
2. They _____ (live) in Paris since 2010.
3. I _____ (study) English for six months.
4. He usually _____ (take) the bus to work.
5. The Earth _____ (revolve) around the Sun.
6. We _____ (wait) here for two hours.
7. She _____ (cook) dinner every Sunday.
8. John _____ (read) this book for a week.
9. The baby _____ (sleep) right now.
10. They _____ (play) tennis every weekend.
11. I _____ (work) on this project since Monday.
12. The sun _____ (rise) in the east.
13. She _____ (teach) at this school for ten years.
14. The children _____ (play) in the garden now.
15. He _____ (not/smoke) anymore.
16. We _____ (discuss) this issue since morning.
17. The train always _____ (leave) on time.
18. I _____ (think) about changing my job.
19. They _____ (build) a new house currently.
20. Mary _____ (practice) piano for three hours.

Exercise Set 2: Past Tenses

Complete with appropriate past tense forms:

21. When I arrived, she _____ (already/leave).
22. I _____ (study) when you called.
23. They _____ (live) here before they moved.
24. He _____ (work) all day when I saw him.
25.  We _____ (wait) for an hour when she came.

Exercise Set 3: Future Tenses

Complete with appropriate future tense forms:

26. By next week, I _____ (finish) this project.
27. This time tomorrow, we _____ (fly) to Paris.
28. He _____ (work) here for ten years by June.
29. I _____ (meet) her at 6 PM tomorrow.
30. They _____ (arrive) by the time we get there.
31. She _____ (study) medicine next year.
32. We _____ (live) here for twenty years by 2025.
33. The train _____ (leave) at 9 AM tomorrow.
34. I _____ (complete) the task before you return.
35. They _____ (wait) when you arrive.

Exercise Set 4: Mixed Tenses

Choose the correct tense:

36. By the time you get there, I _____ (leave).
37. If I _____ (know) earlier, I would have told you.
38. She _____ (work) here since she graduated.
39. While he _____ (cook), I cleaned the house.
40. I _____ (never/see) such a beautiful sunset before.
41. When the phone rang, I _____ (take) a shower.
42. After she _____ (finish), she went home.
43. He _____ (live) here for ten years now.
44. I _____ (study) when the earthquake happened.
45. They _____ (already/eat) when we arrived.

Exercise Set 5: Special Cases

Fill in the blanks with appropriate tenses:

46. I wish I _____ (be) taller.
47. If only he _____ (tell) me earlier.
48. It’s time we _____ (go) home.
49. You’d better _____ (start) working.
50. Would you rather _____ (stay) or go?

Exercise Set 6: Mixed Complex Tenses

Complete the sentences with appropriate tenses:

51. By the time the police arrived, the thieves _____ (disappear).
52. I _____ (work) on this novel for the past three months.
53. She _____ (teach) at this school since before I _____ (be) born.
54. After we _____ (finish) dinner, we _____ (go) for a walk.
55. They _____ (travel) around Europe before they _____ (settle) here.
56. While I _____ (shop), I _____ (meet) an old friend.
57. He _____ (not/sleep) well since he _____ (start) his new job.
58. We _____ (live) here by the time the new mall _____ (open).
59. The movie _____ (already/begin) when we _____ (reach) the theater.
60. She _____ (study) English before she _____ (move) to London.

Exercise Set 7: Passive Voice Tenses

Transform these sentences into passive voice with correct tenses:

61. They build this bridge in 1990. (Past Simple)
62. Someone has stolen my wallet. (Present Perfect)
63. They are repairing my car. (Present Continuous)
64. They will announce the results tomorrow. (Future Simple)
65. They had completed the project before the deadline. (Past Perfect)

Exercise Set 8: Conditional Tenses

Complete these conditional sentences:

66. If I _____ (have) time, I _____ (help) you yesterday.
67. Unless it _____ (rain), we _____ (go) to the beach tomorrow.
68. If she _____ (study) harder, she _____ (pass) the exam last week.
69. If I _____ (be) you, I _____ (take) the job.
70. Had I known earlier, I _____ (come) to help.

Exercise Set 9: Reported Speech Tenses

Change to reported speech with correct tense changes:

71. “I am studying.” → He said that…
72. “I have finished my work.” → She told me…
73. “We will visit Paris.” → They said…
74. “I can help you.” → He promised…
75. “I have been waiting.” → She mentioned…

Exercise Set 10: Perfect Modal Tenses

Complete with perfect modal forms:

76. She _____ (must + work) late last night; her car was there.
77. They _____ (could + win) if they tried harder.
78. He _____ (should + tell) me about the meeting.
79. You _____ (might + lose) your way in the dark.
80. We _____ (would + finish) earlier with more help.

Exercise Set 11: Advanced Mixed Tenses

Fill in with appropriate tenses:

81. No sooner _____ (I/arrive) than it _____ (start) raining.
82. Hardly _____ (she/leave) when the guest _____ (arrive).
83. By next month, I _____ (work) here for 20 years.
84. Not only _____ (he/lose) his job, but also _____ (he/break) his leg.
85. Scarcely _____ (we/begin) when the power _____ (go) out.

Exercise Set 12: Time Clauses

Complete with correct time-related tenses:

86. Before she _____ (arrive), we _____ (clean) the house.
87. After they _____ (eat), they _____ (watch) a movie.
88. As soon as he _____ (come), we _____ (leave).
89. Until she _____ (return), we _____ (wait) here.
90. The moment _____ (she/walk) in, everyone _____ (start) clapping.

Exercise Set 13: States vs. Actions Tenses

Complete with appropriate tenses based on state or action:

91. I _____ (think) she’s right. (state of belief)
92. I _____ (think) about the problem. (action of considering)
93. He _____ (have) a new car. (possession)
94. We _____ (have) lunch now. (action)
95. She _____ (look) tired today. (state/appearance)

Exercise Set 14: Future Time Clauses

Use correct tense combinations:

96. When she _____ (arrive), we _____ (go) to dinner.
97. Before the sun _____ (set), we _____ (reach) the top.
98. After I _____ (finish) work, I _____ (call) you.
99. As soon as he _____ (get) here, we _____ (leave).
100. Until it _____ (stop) raining, we _____ (stay) inside.

Exercise Set 15: Final Mixed Practice

Complete with any appropriate tense:

101. By the time you read this, I _____ (already/leave).
102. I _____ (never/be) to Paris before last summer.
103. She _____ (work) here since she _____ (graduate).
104. While he _____ (cook), the phone _____ (ring).
105. Tomorrow at this time, I _____ (sit) on the beach.

 

      Answer

Exercise Set 1: Present Tenses

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	Sarah _____ (work) at the hospital now.	Sarah is working at the hospital now.
2	They _____ (live) in Paris since 2010.	They have lived in Paris since 2010.
3	I _____ (study) English for six months.	I have been studying English for six months.
4	He usually _____ (take) the bus to work.	He usually takes the bus to work.
5	The Earth _____ (revolve) around the Sun.	The Earth revolves around the Sun.
6	We _____ (wait) here for two hours.	We have been waiting here for two hours.
7	She _____ (cook) dinner every Sunday.	She cooks dinner every Sunday.
8	John _____ (read) this book for a week.	John has been reading this book for a week.
9	The baby _____ (sleep) right now.	The baby is sleeping right now.
10	They _____ (play) tennis every weekend.	They play tennis every weekend.
11	I _____ (work) on this project since Monday.	I have been working on this project since Monday.
12	The sun _____ (rise) in the east.	The sun rises in the east.
13	She _____ (teach) at this school for ten years.	She has been teaching at this school for ten years.
14	The children _____ (play) in the garden now.	The children are playing in the garden now.
15	He _____ (not/smoke) anymore.	He does not smoke anymore.

---

Exercise Set 2: Past Tenses

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	When I arrived, she _____ (already/leave).	When I arrived, she had already left.
2	I _____ (study) when you called.	I was studying when you called.
3	They _____ (live) here before they moved.	They had lived here before they moved.
4	He _____ (work) all day when I saw him.	He had been working all day when I saw him.
5	We _____ (wait) for an hour when she came.	We had been waiting for an hour when she came.

---

Exercise Set 3: Future Tenses

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	By next week, I _____ (finish) this project.	By next week, I will have finished this project.
2	This time tomorrow, we _____ (fly) to Paris.	This time tomorrow, we will be flying to Paris.
3	He _____ (work) here for ten years by June.	He will have worked here for ten years by June.
4	I _____ (meet) her at 6 PM tomorrow.	I will meet her at 6 PM tomorrow.
5	They _____ (arrive) by the time we get there.	They will have arrived by the time we get there.

 

Exercise Set 4: Mixed Tenses

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	By the time you get there, I _____ (leave).	By the time you get there, I will have left.
2	If I _____ (know) earlier, I would have told you.	If I had known earlier, I would have told you.
3	She _____ (work) here since she graduated.	She has been working here since she graduated.
4	While he _____ (cook), I cleaned the house.	While he was cooking, I cleaned the house.
5	I _____ (never/see) such a beautiful sunset before.	I had never seen such a beautiful sunset before.
6	When the phone rang, I _____ (take) a shower.	When the phone rang, I was taking a shower.
7	After she _____ (finish), she went home.	After she had finished, she went home.
8	He _____ (live) here for ten years now.	He has lived here for ten years now.
9	I _____ (study) when the earthquake happened.	I was studying when the earthquake happened.
10	They _____ (already/eat) when we arrived.	They had already eaten when we arrived.

---

Exercise Set 5: Special Cases

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	I wish I _____ (be) taller.	I wish I were taller.
2	If only he _____ (tell) me earlier.	If only he had told me earlier.
3	It’s time we _____ (go) home.	It’s time we went home.
4	You’d better _____ (start) working.	You’d better start working.
5	Would you rather _____ (stay) or go?	Would you rather stay or go?

---

Exercise Set 6: Mixed Complex Tenses

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	By the time the police arrived, the thieves _____ (disappear).	By the time the police arrived, the thieves had disappeared.
2	I _____ (work) on this novel for the past three months.	I have been working on this novel for the past three months.
3	She _____ (teach) at this school since before I _____ (be) born.	She has been teaching at this school since before I was born.
4	After we _____ (finish) dinner, we _____ (go) for a walk.	After we had finished dinner, we went for a walk.
5	They _____ (travel) around Europe before they _____ (settle) here.	They had traveled around Europe before they settled here.
6	While I _____ (shop), I _____ (meet) an old friend.	While I was shopping, I met an old friend.
7	He _____ (not/sleep) well since he _____ (start) his new job.	He has not slept well since he started his new job.
8	We _____ (live) here by the time the new mall _____ (open).	We will have lived here by the time the new mall opens.
9	The movie _____ (already/begin) when we _____ (reach) the theater.	The movie had already begun when we reached the theater.
10	She _____ (study) English before she _____ (move) to London.	She had studied English before she moved to London.

 

All 16 Tenses in English Grammar

Exercise Set 7: Passive Voice Tenses

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	They build this bridge in 1990. (Past Simple)	This bridge was built in 1990.
2	Someone has stolen my wallet. (Present Perfect)	My wallet has been stolen.
3	They are repairing my car. (Present Continuous)	My car is being repaired.
4	They will announce the results tomorrow. (Future Simple)	The results will be announced tomorrow.
5	They had completed the project before the deadline. (Past Perfect)	The project had been completed before the deadline.

Exercise Set 8: Conditional Tenses

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	If I _____ (have) time, I _____ (help) you yesterday.	If I had had time, I would have helped you yesterday.
2	Unless it _____ (rain), we _____ (go) to the beach tomorrow.	Unless it rains, we will go to the beach tomorrow.
3	If she _____ (study) harder, she _____ (pass) the exam last week.	If she had studied harder, she would have passed the exam last week.
4	If I _____ (be) you, I _____ (take) the job.	If I were you, I would take the job.
5	Had I known earlier, I _____ (come) to help.	Had I known earlier, I would have come to help.

Exercise Set 9: Reported Speech Tenses

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	“I am studying.” → He said that…	He said that he was studying.
2	“I have finished my work.” → She told me…	She told me that she had finished her work.
3	“We will visit Paris.” → They said…	They said that they would visit Paris.
4	“I can help you.” → He promised…	He promised that he could help me.
5	“I have been waiting.” → She mentioned…	She mentioned that she had been waiting.

 

Exercise Set 10: Perfect Modal Tenses

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	She _____ (must + work) late last night; her car was there.	She must have worked late last night; her car was there.
2	They _____ (could + win) if they tried harder.	They could have won if they had tried harder.
3	He _____ (should + tell) me about the meeting.	He should have told me about the meeting.
4	You _____ (might + lose) your way in the dark.	You might have lost your way in the dark.
5	We _____ (would + finish) earlier with more help.	We would have finished earlier with more help.

Exercise Set 11: Advanced Mixed Tenses

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	No sooner _____ (I/arrive) than it _____ (start) raining.	No sooner had I arrived than it started raining.
2	Hardly _____ (she/leave) when the guest _____ (arrive).	Hardly had she left when the guest arrived.
3	By next month, I _____ (work) here for 20 years.	By next month, I will have worked here for 20 years.
4	Not only _____ (he/lose) his job, but also _____ (he/break) his leg.	Not only did he lose his job, but also he broke his leg.
5	Scarcely _____ (we/begin) when the power _____ (go) out.	Scarcely had we begun when the power went out.

Exercise Set 12: Time Clauses

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	Before she _____ (arrive), we _____ (clean) the house.	Before she arrived, we had cleaned the house.
2	After they _____ (eat), they _____ (watch) a movie.	After they had eaten, they watched a movie.
3	As soon as he _____ (come), we _____ (leave).	As soon as he comes, we will leave.
4	Until she _____ (return), we _____ (wait) here.	Until she returns, we will wait here.
5	The moment _____ (she/walk) in, everyone _____ (start) clapping.	The moment she walked in, everyone started clapping.

Exercise Set 13: States vs. Actions Tenses

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	I _____ (think) she’s right. (state of belief)	I think she’s right.
2	I _____ (think) about the problem. (action of considering)	I am thinking about the problem.
3	He _____ (have) a new car. (possession)	He has a new car.
4	We _____ (have) lunch now. (action)	We are having lunch now.
5	She _____ (look) tired today. (state/appearance)	She looks tired today.

Exercise Set 14: Future Time Clauses

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	When she _____ (arrive), we _____ (go) to dinner.	When she arrives, we will go to dinner.
2	Before the sun _____ (set), we _____ (reach) the top.	Before the sun sets, we will reach the top.
3	After I _____ (finish) work, I _____ (call) you.	After I finish work, I will call you.
4	As soon as he _____ (get) here, we _____ (leave).	As soon as he gets here, we will leave.
5	Until it _____ (stop) raining, we _____ (stay) inside.	Until it stops raining, we will stay inside.

Exercise Set 15: Final Mixed Practice

Question Number	Exercise	Answer
1	By the time you read this, I _____ (already/leave).	By the time you read this, I will have already left.
2	I _____ (never/be) to Paris before last summer.	I had never been to Paris before last summer.
3	She _____ (work) here since she _____ (graduate).	She has worked here since she graduated.
4	While he _____ (cook), the phone _____ (ring).	While he was cooking, the phone rang.
5	Tomorrow at this time, I _____ (sit) on the beach.	Tomorrow at this time, I will be sitting on the beach.