Complete the following sentences using an appropriate verb form.
1When I returned from work in the evening, I ............... the house locked.
Wrong!
The past simple verb "found" is used for a completed action after returning home.
2Have you heard the proverb that a stitch in time ............... nine?
Wrong!
The singular subject "a stitch" takes the verb "saves" in this proverb.
3The teacher told us a story to illustrate that honesty ............... a noble virtue.
Wrong!
The verb "is" is used because the sentence states a general truth.
4He asked me yesterday if I ............... him a few dollars.
Wrong!
The reported request uses "could lend" after the past verb "asked".
5They said that they ............... the bus.
Wrong!
The past perfect "had missed" shows that missing the bus happened before they said it.
6Do not quit this job till you ............... another.
Wrong!
After "till" with a future meaning, we use the present simple "get".
7I ............... a message as soon as I reached New York.
Wrong!
The past simple "sent" matches the past time shown by "reached".
8Galileo maintained that the earth ............... round the sun.
Wrong!
The present simple "goes" is used for a scientific fact stated as generally true.
9We believe what we ...............
Wrong!
The present simple "see" matches the general statement "We believe".
Answers
- When I returned from work in the evening, I found the house locked.
- Have you heard the proverb that a stitch in time saves nine?
- The teacher told us a story to illustrate that honesty is a noble virtue.
- He asked me yesterday if I could lend him a few dollars.
- They said that they had missed the bus.
- Do not quit this job till you get another.
- I sent a message as soon as I reached New York.
- Galileo maintained that the earth goes round the sun.
- We believe what we see.
