The simple present tense is used to talk about general facts and repeated actions like one’s job, habits etc. The present continuous tense is used to talk about planned future events. Test your knowledge of present tenses with this grammar exercise.
Complete the following sentences using appropriate verb forms. Each question is followed by three suggested answers. Choose the most appropriate one.
1Water ............... at 100 degrees Celsius.
Wrong!
Use the present simple for scientific facts, so the correct answer is "boils".
2I ............... tennis every day.
Wrong!
Use the present simple for daily routines, so the correct answer is "play".
3The earth ............... around the sun.
Wrong!
Use the present simple for general truths, so the correct answer is "moves".
4James ............... for an insurance company.
Wrong!
Use the present simple for regular situations, so the correct answer is "works".
5In Act I, Hamlet ............... the ghost of his father.
Wrong!
Use the present simple to describe events in a play or story, so the correct answer is "meets".
6The kettle ................ Shall I make tea?
Wrong!
Use the present continuous for something happening now, so the correct answer is "is boiling".
7I ............... this song very much.
Wrong!
Use the present simple with the stative verb "like" in this meaning, so the correct answer is "like".
8We ............... to the theater this evening.
Wrong!
Use the present continuous for a fixed future arrangement, so the correct answer is "are going".
9His train ............... at 11:50.
Wrong!
Use the present simple for timetabled events, so the correct answer is "arrives".
10I will phone you when I ............... home.
Wrong!
Use the present simple in a future time clause after "when", so the correct answer is "get".
Answers
- Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
- I play tennis every day.
- The earth moves around the sun.
- James works for an insurance company.
- In Act I, Hamlet meets the ghost of his father.
- The kettle is boiling. Shall I make tea?
- I like this song very much.
- We are going to the theater this evening.
- His train arrives at 11:50.
- I will phone you when I get home.