Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
By the time the panel finally asked for evidence, we ............... the same point for nearly twenty minutes, so I switched tactics.
Wrong!
Use the past perfect continuous for an action in progress up to a past moment, especially with a duration phrase.
I ............... the report twice already this morning, so if you still cannot find the typo, it is probably in the data table.
Wrong!
Use the present perfect for a completed action with a present result, especially with already.
Since the merger, the support team ............... more tickets than ever, but response times have improved.
Wrong!
Use the present perfect to describe a change up to now with a result in the present.
When I walked into the lab, the interns ............... the prototype, and the smell of solder was everywhere.
Wrong!
Use the past continuous for an action in progress at a specific past moment.
I cannot believe we are still debating this. We ............... the same argument since Monday.
Wrong!
Use the present perfect continuous for an ongoing repeated activity up to now.
After the keynote ended, people ............... in the lobby for ages, trading contacts and comparing notes.
Wrong!
Use the past continuous to show an activity continuing over a period in the past.
I ............... to call you all week, but every time I picked up the phone, another meeting started.
Wrong!
Use the past perfect continuous for an intended or attempted ongoing action before a past point.
Before we launched the update, we ............... the onboarding flow to remove three unnecessary steps.
Wrong!
Use the past perfect for a completed action finished before another past event.
Over the last decade, the company ............... from a local supplier into a global brand.
Wrong!
Use the present perfect to describe a change over a period up to now.
At first I thought she was improvising, but she ............... that story for weeks, judging by the details.
Wrong!
Use the past perfect continuous to show preparation that happened over a period before a past realization.
I ............... this client since 2019, so I can usually predict what they will push back on.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both the present perfect simple and continuous can be used with since to show a situation continuing to now.
The more I ............... the footage, the more I notice tiny continuity errors in the background.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use the present simple for a general pattern; the present continuous is also possible to describe a current, ongoing pattern of repeated viewing.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- By the time the panel finally asked for evidence, we had been making the same point for nearly twenty minutes, so I switched tactics.
- I have read the report twice already this morning, so if you still cannot find the typo, it is probably in the data table.
- Since the merger, the support team has handled more tickets than ever, but response times have improved.
- When I walked into the lab, the interns were testing the prototype, and the smell of solder was everywhere.
- I cannot believe we are still debating this. We have been having the same argument since Monday.
- After the keynote ended, people were lingering in the lobby for ages, trading contacts and comparing notes.
- I had been meaning to call you all week, but every time I picked up the phone, another meeting started.
- Before we launched the update, we had simplified the onboarding flow to remove three unnecessary steps.
- Over the last decade, the company has grown from a local supplier into a global brand.
- At first I thought she was improvising, but she had been rehearsing that story for weeks, judging by the details.
- I have been working with this client since 2019, so I can usually predict what they will push back on.
I have worked with this client since 2019, so I can usually predict what they will push back on. - The more I watch the footage, the more I notice tiny continuity errors in the background.
The more I am watching the footage, the more I notice tiny continuity errors in the background.

