Fill in the blanks with an appropriate simple past or present perfect tense.
1. I’m sure we ……………………… before.
The present perfect tense is more common with the time expressions ever, before, never, yet and already.
2. I don’t believe in ghosts. At least, I …………………………. one yet.
The present perfect tense is more common with the time expressions ever, before, never, yet and already.
3. She ……………………….. never sought anyone’s help in her life.
The present perfect tense is more common with the time expressions ever, before, never, yet and already.
4. I ………………………… her once.
The present perfect tense is common with the time expressions once.
5. I …………………………….. to my parents about my plans.
The present perfect tense is more common with the time expressions ever, before, never, yet and already.
6. I ………………………………… the minister yesterday and he said he would help.
We do not use the present perfect tense with definite past time expressions like yesterday.
7. There ……………………………. an explosion at the castle last night.
Last night is a definite past time expression and we do not use the present perfect tense with past time expressions.
8. My grandparents …………………………….. a lot for me when they were alive.
Here we are thinking about a past time and hence we use the simple past tense.
9. How long ……………………………… married to him?
We use the present perfect tense when we are thinking of a period of time continuing up to the present.
10. He ……………………….. in 1979.
We use the simple past tense to give somebody’s year or date of birth.
11. I can’t go to the party because I ……………………………… my leg.
We use the present perfect tense when we are thinking about past events together with their present results.
12. Who ………………………………. you this mobile phone?
We use the past tense when we identify the person responsible for a present situation.
Answers
1. I’m sure we have met before.
2. I don’t believe in ghosts. At least, I haven’t seen one yet.
3. She has never sought anyone’s help in her life.
4. I have only met her once.
5. I have already spoken to my parents about my plans.
6. I met the minister yesterday and he said he would help.
7. There was an explosion at the castle last night.
8. My grandparents did a lot for me when they were alive.
9. How long have you been married to him?
10. He was born in 1979.
11. I can’t go to the party because I have broken my leg.
12. Who gave you this mobile phone?
