• Verb Usage (Level: Easy)
Back
0

Verb Usage (Level: Easy)

Description: Present Tense
Number of Questions: 39
Created by:
Tags: Present Tense Sentence Formation Grammar Compound and Conditional Sentences The Past Perfect Tense The Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Start the Quiz
Attempted 0/39 Correct 0 Score 0
‹
›

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks.

The light ___________ out while we ___________ drinks in the hotel.

  1. went, were having

  2. had gone, had been having

  3. has gone, have

  4. was gone, had

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

This is a compound sentence in the past tense. Here, the principal clause demands 'past indefinite', while the subsidiary clause demands 'past continuous'. Hence, option 1 is correct.

Directions: Select the most suitable option and fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

I do not know where he _________.

  1. living

  2. lives

  3. live

  4. have lived

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of present indefinite tense. In such cases, we use only the first form of the verb. 'He' being the singular subject takes singular verb. Thus, option 2.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

My uncle _______ in a school.

  1. teach

  2. teaches

  3. had teached

  4. teaching

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of present indefinite tense. In such cases, we use only the first form of the verb. 'My uncle' being the singular subject takes singular verb. Thus, option 2.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

I ________ received the copies yet.

  1. have

  2. have not

  3. has

  4. has not

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of present perfect tense. In such cases, we use only the third form of the verb along with auxiliary (has/have). 'I' being the first person takes plural helping verb. 'Yet' qualifies the usage of 'not'. Thus, option 2.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

It ___________ heavily since Monday, so all our plans have gone haywire.

  1. is raining

  2. was raining

  3. has been raining

  4. had been raining

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Case of present perfect continuous tense. Key words in the sentence are: 'since' and 'have'. In present perfect continuous tense, we use has/have + been + verb+ing. Hence, option 3 is correct.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

Lend me your rubber. I _______ (make) a mistake and _______ (wish) to rub it out.

  1. made, wish

  2. have made, wish

  3. had made, wished

  4. made, wished

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

This is a compound sentence in the present tense. Option 1 is not used here as there is no reference to a definite time of the past. Opiton 2 best qualifies both the blanks. Hence, option 2 is correct.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

The girl ___________ from the roof while ___________ a kite.

  1. fell, flying

  2. fall, flying

  3. fell, flew

  4. was falling, flying

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

This is a compound sentence in the past tense. Here, the principal clause demands 'past indefinite', while the subsidiary clause demands 'past continuous'. Option 1 satisfies these demands.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

Look, a man ________ (run) after the bus. He __________ (want) to catch it.

  1. was running, wanted

  2. is running, wants

  3. ran, wanted

  4. is running, want

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

This is a compound sentence in the present tense. Here, the principal clause demands 'present continuous', while the subsidiary clause demands 'present indefinite'. 'He' being the singular subject takes singular verb. Thus, option 2.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

We ___________ (try) hard for ten weeks to succeed in solving the puzzle, but there is no solution in sight.

  1. have been trying

  2. had been trying

  3. were trying

  4. are trying

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Case of present perfect continuous tense. Key words in the sentence are: 'for the last three hours'. In present perfect continuous tense, we use has/have + been + verb+ing.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

I always _______ (tell) you to comb your hair, but you never _______ (do) what I say.

  1. telling, do

  2. told, did

  3. tell, do

  4. tells, does

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Case of present indefinite tense. In such cases, we use only the first form of the verb. In present tense, we use plural form of the verb with the first and the second person.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

We ___________ (wait) for the train for the last three hours, but it is nowhere in the sight.

  1. are waiting

  2. have been waiting

  3. had been waiting

  4. were waiting

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of present perfect continuous tense. Key words in the sentence are: 'for the last three hours'. In present perfect continuous tense, we use has/have + been + verb+ing.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

Look, the boys __________ (work) to finish the job by this evening.

  1. are hard working

  2. had been working hard

  3. are working hard

  4. work hard

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Case of present continuous tense. In such cases, we use helping verb (is/am/are) +verb+ing.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

He _______ (visit) this place yesterday along with his friends.

  1. visits

  2. has visited

  3. had visited

  4. visited

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Whenever we refer to a definite time of the past, we use past indefinite tense. Thus, option 4.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

Don’t go now. It ________ (rain) very heavily outside.

  1. has been raining

  2. is rain

  3. rains

  4. is raining

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Case of present continuous tense. In such cases, we use helping verb (is/am/are) + verb+ing.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

The train ________ (leave) New Delhi at 4.30 in the evening.

  1. leaves

  2. is leaving

  3. has left

  4. would leave

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Case of present indefinite tense. In such cases, we use only the first form of the verb.

Directions: Select the most suitable option and fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

I consulted the doctor _______ ill.

  1. because I were

  2. because of being

  3. because I was

  4. because I was being

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Case of past in definite tense. Option 3 best qualifies the blank. Here, 'was' acts as a verb of being, and not as a helping verb.

Directions: Select the most suitable option and fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

We ________ about Stocks, Bulls and Bears.

  1. was taught

  2. were teached

  3. were taught

  4. were being teached

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

It is the case of past indefinte tense in the passive voice. In such cases, we use helping verb 'was/were + third form of the verb'. Hence, option (3) is correct.

Directions: Select the most suitable option and fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

I had been working hard to ________.

  1. attain my goal

  2. attaining my goal

  3. attained my goal

  4. attains my goal

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Infinitive 'to' always takes the first form of the verb (in plural form). Thus, option 1.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

Rosa ___________ (fall) down while she ___________ (walk) in the gallery.

  1. fell, was walking

  2. had fallen, walked

  3. has fallen, was walking

  4. was falling, was walking

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

This is a compound sentence in the past tense. Here, the principal clause demands 'past indefinite', while the subsidiary clause demands 'past continuous'.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

I ________ (not like) the dance last night.

  1. had not liked

  2. was not liked

  3. did not like

  4. could not like

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Whenever we refer to a definite time of the past, we use past indefinite tense. Thus, option 3.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

The city of Katagum _________ (build) in the form of an oblong with the chief’s house in the centre _________ (look) like an old English castle.

  1. was built, looking

  2. had been built, looked

  3. is built, looks

  4. was built, had looked

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

This is a compound sentence in the past tense (in passive voice). Here, the principal clause demands 'past indefinite', while in the subsidiary clause, 'looking' is used as a verb of being.  Hence, option 1 is correct.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

If I ______ (be) a ghost, I _______ (try) to frighten all the people I dislike.

  1. was, would try

  2. am, will try

  3. were, would try

  4. were, would have tried

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

This is a case of a wish. In such cases, we always use 'were' for assumption. The subsidiary clause in such cases takes 'would/will' along with the first form of the verb.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

Yesterday I _________ (see) a small group of people who all were _________ (gaze) at the smoke.

  1. saw, gazing

  2. had seen, gazed

  3. have seen, gazing

  4. had seen, gazing

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

This is a compound sentence in the past tense. Here, the principal clause demands 'past indefinite', while the subsidiary clause demands 'past continuous'. 

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

“Come on”, he said, “we _________ (go) to see what _________ (happen) there.”

  1. shall go, will happen

  2. shall go, has happened

  3. can go, can happen

  4. might go, must happen

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

This is a compound sentence. The principal clause needs future indefinte, while the subsidiary clause needs present perfect tense. Double usage of the future is incorrect.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

By the time I reached the station, the train _____________ (leave) the platform.

  1. will leaving

  2. had left

  3. left

  4. has left

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 Whenever two events in the past take place in a sequence, we use 'had + third form of the verb' for the former one and the second form of the verb for the latter one.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

When the aeroplane landed, the pilot __________ (find) that one of the wings _______ (be) damaged by a shell.

  1. had found, had been

  2. found, had been

  3. found, had

  4. had found, being

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The first blank qualifies past indefinte tense, while the subsidiary clause qualifies past perfect continuous tense.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

What ________ (do) just now while I _______ (wash) the dishes?

  1. were you doing, was washing

  2. are you doing, am washing

  3. did you do, washed

  4. had you done, had been washing

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of a compound sentence where both the clauses qualify present continuous tense. Key word is 'now'.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

Once upon a time, there _________ (live) an old man in the middle of a jungle.

  1. lived

  2. is living

  3. was living

  4. had lived

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Case of past indefinite tense. In such cases, we use only the second form of the verb.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

He was admitted in the hospital last week. He is much better now. He ______ (recover) very fast.

  1. recovered

  2. was recovering

  3. is recovering

  4. recovers

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The blank needs to be filled with the form of the verb in the present continuous tense. Option 3 is the correct choice.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

He ___________ (put) in hard work to secure first rank for three years; he finally achieved success.

  1. has been putting

  2. had been putting

  3. is putting

  4. was putting

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of past perfect continuous tense. Key words in the sentence are: 'for the three hours', and 'achieved'. In past perfect continuous tense, we use had + been + verb + ing.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

Ram ___________ (slip) while he ___________ (climb) up the roof.

  1. had slipped, climbed

  2. has slipped, climbed

  3. slipped, was climbing

  4. slipped, had been climbing

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

This is a compound sentence in the past tense. Here, the principal clause demands 'past indefinite', while the subsidiary clause demands 'past continuous'.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

They ___________ (climb) up the ladder on ___________ (hear) a loud sound.

  1. were climbing, hearing

  2. were climbing, were hearing

  3. climbed, hearing

  4. were climbing, their hearing

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

This is a compound sentence in the past tense. Here, the principal clause demands 'past indefinite', while  the subsidiary clause demands past continuous tense.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

The child _______ (sleep) from three to five o' clock this noon.

  1. was sleeping

  2. slept

  3. had slept

  4. had been sleeping

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Whenever we refer to a definite time of the past, we use past indefinite tense.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

I ______ (write) letters at that time.

  1. would write

  2. was writing

  3. had written

  4. had been writing

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of past continuous tense. We use 'was/were + verb+ing' in such cases.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

My friend _________ (see) me for many years when I met him last week.

  1. has not seen

  2. had not been seeing

  3. had not seen

  4. did not see

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Case of compound sentence in past tense. Here, the principal clause demands past perfect tense as the subsidiary clause is in the past indefinite tense.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blanks to make a logical sentence.

___________ she be ___________ (go) home after Holi?

  1. Would, going

  2. Will, going

  3. Shall, going

  4. Should, gone

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of interrogative sentence in the future continuous tense. For third person we generally use 'will', and not 'shall'.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

I had _______ (do) my homework.

  1. been done

  2. did

  3. been doing

  4. doing

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Case of past perfect countinuous tense: we use 'had + been + verb+ing' in such cases.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

We ______ (eat) dinner before he came.

  1. have eaten

  2. have ate

  3. had been eaten

  4. had eaten

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Here, the principal clause demands past perfect tense as the subsidiary clause is in the past indefinite tense.

Directions: Mark the most suitable option to fill in the blank to make a logical sentence.

By the end of next year I ___________ (finish) my project positively.

  1. would have finished

  2. shall have finished

  3. might have finished

  4. will be finishing

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of future perfect tense. In such cases, we use 'shall' (for the first person) or 'will' (for the second or the third person) + 'have + third form of the verb'.

- Hide questions
ADVERTISEMENT

Find more quizzes from top tags

general knowledge
3615 Quizzes
119858 Questions
 technology
307 Quizzes
36705 Questions
 sports
963 Quizzes
19148 Questions
 history
1187 Quizzes
13475 Questions
 physics
598 Quizzes
13441 Questions
 biology
1160 Quizzes
12174 Questions
 science & technology
551 Quizzes
11015 Questions
 chemistry
490 Quizzes
9892 Questions
 maths
518 Quizzes
9324 Questions
 softskills
0 Quizzes
7131 Questions