Choose the correct verb form to complete each sentence.
1Since I started working from home last year, I ............... much less money on travel.
Wrong!
The period from last year to the present is still continuing, so use the present perfect: "have spent".
2I ............... the supplier twice this morning, but it is now afternoon and neither call was answered.
Wrong!
It is now afternoon, so “this morning” is a finished time period requiring the past simple: "called".
3This is the first time I ............... a meeting with clients from several countries.
Wrong!
After “This is the first time,” use the present perfect to describe experience up to now: "have led".
4We have stayed at that hotel twice, but on our last visit we ............... an apartment instead.
Wrong!
“On our last visit” refers to one specific completed occasion in the past, so use "rented".
5The project is still in progress, and we ............... three of the five stages so far.
Wrong!
The project is still in progress, and “so far” connects the completed stages to the present: "have completed".
6When ............... your application? I need the exact date for our records.
Wrong!
The question asks when a completed action happened, so use the past simple: "did you submit".
7My brother ............... for the same company since 2020, and he still works there.
Wrong!
“Since 2020” and “still works there” show that the situation continues to the present, so use "has worked".
8During last week's training session, I ............... how to use the new booking system.
Wrong!
“During last week's training session” is a finished past period, so use "learned".
9This is the most useful app I ............... so far for managing my schedule.
Wrong!
“So far” describes experience up to the present, so the correct form is "have used".
10I ............... Carla at a conference in May, and we have kept in touch ever since.
Wrong!
“In May” identifies the specific past occasion when the meeting happened, so use "met".
11Our course is not over until June. How many assignments ............... so far?
Wrong!
The course is not over and “so far” refers to progress up to now, so use "have you completed".
12I know Paris quite well now, but I ............... it for the first time in 2019.
Wrong!
“For the first time in 2019” identifies a specific finished event, so use "visited".
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- Since I started working from home last year, I have spent much less money on travel.
- I called the supplier twice this morning, but it is now afternoon and neither call was answered.
- This is the first time I have led a meeting with clients from several countries.
- We have stayed at that hotel twice, but on our last visit we rented an apartment instead.
- The project is still in progress, and we have completed three of the five stages so far.
- When did you submit your application? I need the exact date for our records.
- My brother has worked for the same company since 2020, and he still works there.
- During last week’s training session, I learned how to use the new booking system.
- This is the most useful app I have used so far for managing my schedule.
- I met Carla at a conference in May, and we have kept in touch ever since.
- Our course is not over until June. How many assignments have you completed so far?
- I know Paris quite well now, but I visited it for the first time in 2019.