• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Home of English Grammar
  • Home
  • Exercises
  • Matches
  • Posts
  • Rules
  • Social Media Archive
  • Tools
    • Grammar Checker
    • Very Replacer
    • Word Counter
  • Vocabulary
  • Writing Guides
  • Pro

Sequence of tenses: grammar exercise

April 2, 2013 B1pdf

Complete the following sentences using an appropriate form of the verb.

Progress 0 of 10 answered
1Suddenly she gave a loud scream and ............... to the ground.
Wrong!
Use the simple past "fell" because it follows another completed past action in the same sequence.
2After questioning, he ............... to go home.
Wrong!
Use the passive form "was allowed" because he received permission after the questioning.
3They would have won if they ............... a bit harder.
Wrong!
Use "had played" in the if-clause of a third conditional sentence.
4She ............... to say that she disagreed.
Wrong!
Use the passive form "was heard" because other people heard her say it.
5Although they ............... defeated, they did not lose heart.
Wrong!
Use "were" to match the past time of the main clause.
6Our teacher taught us that virtue ............... its own reward.
Wrong!
Use "is" because a general truth can stay in the present tense after a past reporting verb.
7The teacher asked the boys whether they ............... the problems.
Wrong!
Use "had solved" because the solving happened before the teacher asked.
8He declared that he would not believe it even if he ............... it with his own eyes.
Wrong!
Use "saw" after "even if" to describe a possible future experience from a past point of view.
9The room ..............., but the police failed to find anything suspicious.
Wrong!
Use the passive form "was searched" because the room received the action.
10The government has announced that taxes ...............
Wrong!
Use the future passive "will be raised" because taxes receive the action after a present perfect reporting verb.
Exercise complete
Score 0/10
Share your score!
More Exercises →

Answers

  1. Suddenly she gave a loud scream and fell to the ground.
  2. After questioning, he was allowed to go home.
  3. They would have won if they had played a bit harder.
  4. She was heard to say that she disagreed.
  5. Although they were defeated, they did not lose heart.
  6. Our teacher taught us that virtue is its own reward.
  7. The teacher asked the boys whether they had solved the problems.
  8. He declared that he would not believe it even if he saw it with his own eyes.
  9. The room was searched, but the police failed to find anything suspicious.
  10. The government has announced that taxes will be raised.
ENGLISHGRAMMAR PRO

Make sense of the rules of English

EnglishGrammar Pro explains each rule in plain English and lets you practice it until it sticks. Most lessons take about 10 to 15 minutes.

  • 105 short lessons and 688 practice questions, from your first sentences to advanced editing
  • All 63 Pro exercises, with up to 10 new ones every week
  • Try it free for 7 days, then US$12.99 a month, cancel anytime
See what’s inside Pro

Already a Pro member? Log in

  • Share
  • Post
  • Post
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
NEW: Try Matches, our daily vocabulary challenge. Pick a topic and level and match words with definitions to boost your vocabulary.

Primary Sidebar

2,485,429 
761,532 
Improve Your English
  • Download 2026 Grammar Guide (PDF)
  • Free Weekly Exercises & Vocabulary
  • Join over 3 Million English Learners
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
Grammar Checker - Try Now

Latest Posts

  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Tempted” October 13, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Purity” October 12, 2026
  • Strategic Recommendation Language Exercise October 12, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Attempt” October 12, 2026
  • Should have vs. should of: which is correct? October 12, 2026
  • Appointments Vocabulary Exercise October 12, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Provoked” October 12, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Stranded” October 12, 2026
  • The surprisingly old roots of “newfangled” October 12, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Answer” October 12, 2026
Home of English Grammar

Free English grammar exercises, rules and vocabulary lists, with new exercises every week. Join the leading English grammar site with over 3 million followers.

Pro

Learn

  • Exercises
  • Matches
  • Grammar rules
  • Vocabulary lists
  • Writing guides
  • Online tools

More

  • Top social media posts
  • Various posts
  • Free grammar guide (PDF)
  • Contact

Pro

  • What is Pro?
  • Pro account
  • Pro exercises

Copyright © 2026 EnglishGrammar.org

  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy policy
  • Refund policy
  • Terms
  • Sitemap
Improve Your English
  • Download 2026 Grammar Guide (PDF)
  • Free Weekly Exercises & Vocabulary
  • Join over 3 Million English Learners
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.