Fill in the blanks with an appropriate verb form.
1. I will call you when I ………………………. ready.
When both clauses refer to the future, we use the simple present in the subordinate clause.
2. She told me that she ……………………………. quitting.
When the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, we use a past tense in the subordinate clause as well.
3. People loved him because he …………………………… very kind.
4. If you buy the tickets, I ………………………… the food.
In the first conditional, we use a simple present tense in the if-clause and will + first form of the verb in the main clause.
5. She was not very beautiful but she ………………………….. very popular.
6. We climbed up a tree so that we …………………………… get a better view of the procession.
When the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, we use a past tense in the subordinate clause as well.
7. They took him to hospital when he …………………………….. of uneasiness.
8. No one helped me when I ……………………… money.
9. While I was mowing the lawn, a scorpion ………………………… me.
We use the past continuous for a longer background action that was going on while another action interrupted it.
10. He talks as if he ………………………… an insider but he isn’t.
We use a past tense with a present meaning after as if and as though to show that a comparison is unreal.
11. As well as …………………………. his parents, he invited the displeasure of his boss.
12. While you were holidaying in France, I …………………………….. the midnight oil.
Answers
1. I will call you when I am ready.
2. She told me that she was quitting.
3. People loved him because he was very kind.
4. If you buy the tickets, I will bring the food.
5. She was not very beautiful but she was very popular.
6. We climbed up a tree so that we could get a better view of the procession.
7. They took him to hospital when he complained of uneasiness.
8. No one helped me when I needed money.
9. While I was mowing the lawn, a scorpion stung me.
10. He talks as if he was an insider but he isn’t.
11. As well as embarrassing his parents, he invited the displeasure of his boss.
12. While you were holidaying in France, I was burning the midnight oil.
