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Tenses

Description: Free English Grammar Exercises, Online Tests, lessons and Quizzes for Students, Perfect for Entrance Exams, Competitive Exams, Home Schooling, ESL, Language Arts Classes
Number of Questions: 25
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Tags: Tenses The Simple Past Tense The Past Perfect Tense The Future Perfect Tense The Past Continuous Tense The Simple Present Tense The Present Perfect Continuous Tense The Past Perfect Continuous Tense Letter C Letter QR
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Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. The only inhabitants of the village said that they have never known anyone cross the hills in deep snow.

  1. had never known

  2. never knew

  3. had never been known

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Case of past perfect tense. 'Said' is the past form of 'say', so 'have never known' should be replaced by 'had never known'.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. The peasant told the youth that the weather is stormy and the way was long.

  1. was stormy

  2. had been stormy

  3. has been stormy

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

As per the rules of English grammar, if the principal clause of a sentence is in the past tense, the subordinate clause must be in the same tense. Therefore, 'is stormy' should be replaced by 'was stormy', as 'told' is past of 'tell'.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. The pickpocket confessed that he had picked the man's pocket.

  1. had been picked

  2. has picked

  3. has been picked

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Case of past perfect tense. There are two actions in the past. He confessed (simple past); and 'had picked' (action before simple past, i.e. past perfect)

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. I was going to have meals when they were calling me.

  1. had called

  2. called

  3. were called

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of correct usage. This is a case of 'point of time' versus 'period of time'. We call somebody 'at some point of time', and not 'for some period of time'. So, 'were callling' should be replaced by 'called'.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. If you had asked me I would have been helped you with pleasure.

  1. would help

  2. would have helped

  3. had helped

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of past perfect tense. 'Had +  third form of the verb' is followed by 'would have + third form of the verb'. 'Been' isn't required.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. No one could explain how the prisoner was escaped from the prison.

  1. had escaped

  2. has escaped

  3. had been escaped

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Case of past perfect tense. Usage of modal 'could' demands for 'had escaped' in place of 'was escaped', as 'had escaped' means that something had happened before the other.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. The teacher asked the boys whether they have solved the sums.

  1. had solved

  2. were solved

  3. solve

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Case of past perfect tense. Whenever two actions in the past happen one after the other, we use past perfect tense. 'Asked' (past of 'ask') demands 'had solved' (past of 'have solved').

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. He was so tired that he might barely stand.

  1. would

  2. should

  3. could

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

This is a case of ability (in the past) rather than the case of probability. And for past ability we use 'could'.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. Since the doctors couldn't move him to a hospital, he operated upon at home.

  1. has operated upon

  2. was operated upon

  3. had operated upon

  4. No Improvement needed


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of passive voice. Here, the verb 'operated' needs to be changed with 'verb of being' (was operated).

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. The sage enjoined his disciples not to blame others for their failures.

  1. enjoined upon

  2. enjoined to

  3. enjoined with

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Case of idiomatic usage. Verb 'enjoin' when used with preposition 'upon' means 'to order someone or something not to do something'.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentencethree possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. That politics is a dirty game is now believed by many people.

  1. is now being believed

  2. has now believed

  3. was now being believing

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Perfectly correct sentence that means that the real colours of the game of politics have now (present tense) been understood.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer.

It was a long time before she completely used to working with old people.

  1. she was completely

  2. she had completely

  3. she is completely

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Error of sentence formation. If the principal clause is in the past tense, the subordinate clause must also be in the past.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer.

In spite the fact that she had three small children, the judge sent her to prison.

  1. Despite of the fact

  2. In spite of the fact

  3. In spite of

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Error of sentence formation. 'Inspite' itself has no releveant meaning. 'In spite of' means 'without regard to someone or something; even though another course had been prescribed; ignoring a warning'.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. The finance minister has announced an across-the-board wage increase.

  1. across-the-horde

  2. over-the-board

  3. over-the-table

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Idiomatic usage. 'Across-the-board' means 'equally for everyone or everything'.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below each sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. A grammar rule, unless true, is useless unless it can be understood.

  1. however true

  2. whether true

  3. if true

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Error of sentence formation. Double usage of negative words (unless) is not allowed. Option 1, best fits the sentence.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. Had you finished your homework in time, you would be allowed to go home.

  1. would have been allowed

  2. had been allowed

  3. were allowed

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Case of passive voice. In case of past perfect tense, we use 'would have been + third form of the verb'. Thus, option 1.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. Deepak has wanted to join the medical college, but he failed to get admission.

  1. had wanted

  2. was wanting

  3. would want

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Case of past perfect tense. Whenever two incidents in the past happen one after the other, we use 'had' with the former one.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. Unauthorized settlements in many parts of the city have demolished.

  1. have been demolished

  2. had demolished

  3. was demolished

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Case of passive voice. In cases like this where we need to show the continuity of an action in the present, we use 'has/have been + third form of the verb'.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. The father expressed his desire that his son became a doctor.

  1. should become

  2. had become

  3. become

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Expression of a feeling is followed by modal 'should'.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence, three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. Although they had defeated, they did not lose heart.

  1. were defeated

  2. have been defeated

  3. have defeated

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

'Had defeated' is a verb, but the sentence talks about a fact of past. So, verb needs to be changed to 'verb of being'. So, 'were defeated' should be used in place of 'had defeated'.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence, three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. A great city once stood where the village of Rajgir now lied.

  1. lies

  2. had lied

  3. lying

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Error of verb form usage Word 'now' itself makes it clear that a fact of present is being talked about. And for present, first form of the verb is used, rather than the second one. So, 'lies' is the right option.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence, three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. He said that he would not believe it even if he saw it with his own eyes.

  1. will not

  2. could not

  3. had not

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Perfectly correct sentence

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence, three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. My pen was stealing by somebody yesterday.

  1. was stolen

  2. has stolen

  3. had stolen

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 Here, we use 'third form of the verb' with 'was/were' in cases where no continuity is shown. 

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below the sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer. This passage is so difficult that I can't comprehend it.

  1. am not comprehending

  2. could not comprehend

  3. was not comprehending

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Overcoming a difficulty depends on our capability. And modal 'can' is used for describing the capability. Thus, the sentence is perfectly correct.

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below each sentence three possible substitutions are given for the underlined part. If one of the possible substitutions is better than the underlined part, indicate it as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your answer.

The girl requested that she was allowed to have another helping of the pudding.

  1. should be allowed

  2. be allowed

  3. would be allowed

  4. No improvement


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of past indefinite tense. Here, her being allowed is demonstrated by the request of the girl. In such cases, we do not need modals. Thus, option 2.

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