Can you use simple past and present perfect tenses correctly? Test your understanding of tenses with this grammar exercise.
1. His father ............................... last year.
When there is a definite past time reference we use the simple past tense.
2. James ........................................ school at fourteen.
When there is a definite past time reference we use the simple past tense.
3. I .................................. him for ten years.
To talk about an action or situation that started in the past and has continued up to the present we use the present perfect tense.
4. I ................................. all of her novels.
When there is no definite time reference we use the present perfect tense.
5. You .................................... me for anything.
When there is no definite time reference we use the present perfect tense.
6. I .................................... a strange experience last night.
When there is a definite past time reference, we use the simple past tense.
7. Suddenly I .................................. a knock on the door.
We use the simple past tense to simply state that something happened in the past.
8. There ................................ no one to rescue the child.
We use the simple past tense to state that something happened or didn't happen in the past.
9. The fox .................................. to eat the bunch of grapes hanging from the vine.
We use the simple past tense to say that something happened in the past.
10. This castle ................................... in the 16th century.
When there is a definite past time reference we use the simple past tense.
11. I ................................... pity for the poor beggar.
We use the simple past tense to say that something happened in the past.
12. You .................................... for the grand finale.
When there is no definite time reference we use the present perfect tense.
Answers
1. His father died last year.
2. James left school at fourteen.
3. I have known him for ten years.
4. I have read all of her novels.
5. You have never thanked me for anything.
6. I had a strange experience last night.
7. Suddenly I heard a knock on the door.
8. There was no one to rescue the child.
9. The fox wanted to eat the bunch of grapes hanging from the vine.
10. This castle was built in the 16th century.
11. I felt pity for the poor beggar.
12. You have been selected for the grand finale.
