Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
1By 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.
2I ............... 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.
3Since 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.
4When 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.
5I 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.
6After 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.
7I ............... 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.
8Before 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.
9Over 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.
10At 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.
11I ............... this client since 2019, so I can usually predict what they will push back on.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
With since + a continuing relationship, both present perfect simple (state) and present perfect continuous (activity) can be correct.
12The more I ............... the footage, the more I notice tiny continuity errors in the background.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
In this pattern, the present simple is standard for a general repeated experience; the present continuous can also be used 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/have worked with this client since 2019, so I can usually predict what they will push back on.
- The more I watch/am watching the footage, the more I notice tiny continuity errors in the background.
