Fill in the blanks with an appropriate tense form.
1. He ........................... since last week.
The present perfect continuous is used to talk about an action or situation that started in the past and has continued up to the present.
2. They .............................. fixing the roof by evening.
3. Who do you think .............................. the match?
4. You look hot. Yes, I ................................
5. By the time the cops reached the store, the burglars ................................
The past perfect is used for the earlier of two past actions.
6. He ............................. at gun point.
7. You never tell me what you ..............................
8. Although I had no ticket, I ................................ able to get in.
9. This .............................. for a while.
The present perfect continuous is commonly used with the time expressions for and since.
10. It is important that the meeting .............................. on time.
This is an example of a structure called subjunctive.
11. He ........................... ill for several months before he died.
12. If he does not have an accident I ................................ surprised.
Answers
1. He has been absconding since last week.
2. They will have finished fixing the roof by evening.
3. Who do you think will win the match?
4. You look hot. Yes, I had been running.
5. By the time the cops reached the store, the burglars had escaped.
6. He was robbed at gun point.
7. You never tell me what you are thinking.
8. Although I had no ticket, I was able to get in.
9. This has been going on for a while.
10. It is important that the meeting start / should start on time.
11. He was / had been ill for several months before he died.
12. If he does not have an accident I will be surprised.
