Fill in the blanks with an appropriate verb form.
1. The boys were playing games when it ………………………. raining.
We usually use the simple past for an action that happens in the middle of another action.
2. You were watching TV when I ……………………… for my exam.
Continuous tenses are used to talk about two actions that were progressing at the same time.
3. The phone ………………………. while I was cooking dinner.
We usually use the simple past for an action that happens in the middle of another action.
4. How long ……………………… a social activist?
Perfect tenses are usually used to talk about duration.
5. We …………………….. each other for a long time.
We normally use perfect tenses with since and for.
6. We ……………………… nothing from all the wars in history.
When there is no reference to any specific past time, we usually use the present perfect to talk about finished actions or situations.
7. I ………………………… well for the exam.
When there is no reference to any specific past time, we usually use the present perfect to talk about finished actions or situations.
8. I ……………………….. well for the exam, yet I failed.
The past tense in the second clause clearly indicates that the reference is to the past time.
9. The teacher ……………………… an interesting question in the class yesterday.
When there is a definite past time reference we use the simple past to talk about finished actions or situations.
10. I looked around but I ……………………. anyone.
The reference is to the past time here.
11. She threw a glass at me, but ……………………
When one verb is in the past tense, the other verbs will most probably also be in the past tense.
2. If you don’t hurry, you …………………. the train.
Answers
1. The boys were playing games when it started raining.
2. You were watching TV when I was preparing for my exam.
3. The phone rang while I was cooking dinner.
4. How long have you been a social activist?
5. We have known each other for a long time.
6. We have learned nothing from all the wars in history.
7. I have prepared well for the exam.
8. I prepared well for the exam, yet I failed.
9. The teacher asked an interesting question in the class yesterday.
10. I looked around but I didn’t find anyone.
11. She threw a glass at me, but missed.
12. If you don’t hurry, you will miss the train.
