Tenses Exercise
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate verb form.
1. We …………………………… to Greece next summer.
go
will go
are going
We use the present continuous tense to talk about pre-planned future events.
2. I knew she ………………………….. before long.
will arrive
would arrive
can arrive
When the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, we use a past tense in the subordinate
clause as well.
3. The Prime Minister ……………………………. London in December.
visits
would visit
is to visit
We use the simple present to talk about plans and schedules.
4. Phone me when you ………………………….
arrive
will arrive
would arrive
In the subordinate clause we often use a present tense to refer to future.
5. ‘I’m hungry.’ ‘I …………………………….. you something to eat.’
will get
am getting
would get
We use the simple future to tell people about a decision as we make it.
6. …………………………… I open the window?
Shall
Will
Would
Shall I is often used to ask for instructions.
7. I …………………………… you tonight.
will phone
would phone
am phoning
We use the simple future to announce our decisions.
8. I will pay you back when I …………………………….. a job.
will get
get
would get
When the verb in the main clause is in the future tense, we use a present tense in the
subordinate clause to refer to future.
9. By next year, we …………………………………. here for twenty-five years.
will be
would be
will have been
We use the future perfect to say that something will have been achieved by a certain time in
the future.
10. I ………………………….. break his neck.
will
shall
Either could be used here
With the first person pronouns we use will in threats.
11. I promise I ………………………………. do that again.
don’t do
won’t do
can’t do
We use will in promises.
12. It is no use phoning them now – they ………………………………….. by
now.
will leave
will have left
would have left
The future perfect can also be used to predict the present.
PLAY AGAIN !
Answers
1. We are going to Greece next summer.
2. I knew she would arrive before long.
3. The Prime Minister is to visit London in December.
4. Phone me when you arrive.
5. ‘I’m hungry.’ ‘I will get you something to eat.’
6. Shall I open the window?
7. I will phone you tonight.
8. I will pay you back when I get a job.
9. By next year, we will have been here for twenty-five years.
10. I will break his neck.
11. I promise I won’t do that again.
12. It is no use phoning them now – they will have left by now.