Fill in the blanks with an appropriate tense form.
1. I knew she ......................... arrive before long.
When the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, we will need a past tense in the subordinate clause as well.
2. I will call you when I ............................... ready.
When the verb in the main clause is in the future tense, we use a present tense in the subordinate clause to refer to the future.
3. It ................................. before long.
We do not normally use the present continuous to make predictions about events that are outside people’s control.
4. You ............................... cricket in my garden.
5. We ................................. a new car next month.
Both the present continuous and going to can be used to talk about future events that are already planned.
6. She ................................... here since July.
We use the present perfect continuous tense to talk about an action or situation that started in the past and has continued up to the present.
7. I ...................................... my wallet at home.
We normally use the present perfect tense to talk about finished events when there is no time reference. The simple past is also possible here.
8. It would be nice if you ................................... me a bit with the housework.
In the second conditional, we use a simple past tense in the if-clause and would + infinitive in the main clause.
9. Hardly had I arrived when trouble ................................
When the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, we will need a past tense in the subordinate clause as well.
10. How long ................................... a doctor?
We often use the present perfect to talk about how long present situations have lasted.
11. I have ................................................... in this city for ten years.
The present perfect and the present perfect continuous can both be used to talk about actions and situations that started in the past and have continued up to the present.
12. One day scientists .......................................................... to find a cure for cancer.
We often use 'will be able to' to talk about future possibility and ability.
Answers
1. I knew she would arrive before long.
2. I will call you when I am ready.
3. It is going to rain before long.
4. You are not playing / are not going to play cricket in my garden.
5. We are getting / are going to get a new car next month.
6. She has been working here since July.
7. I have left / left my wallet at home.
8. It would be nice if you helped me a bit with the housework.
9. Hardly had I arrived when trouble started.
10. How long have you been a doctor?
11. I have lived / have been living in this city for ten years.
12. One day scientists will be able to find a cure for cancer.
