Fill in the blanks with an appropriate tense form.
1. An addressing machine ……………………… the handling of bulk mail.
We use the simple present tense to talk about facts.
2. The old shepherd at age 95 still …………………………… the full possession of his faculties.
We use the simple present tense to talk about facts.
3. Jim is an extrovert who ………………………….. to meet people.
We use the simple present tense to talk about facts.
4. Let’s see how she ………………………….. herself from this embarrassing situation.
In subordinate clauses we often use a simple present tense to indicate future.
5. The hillside …………………………. with an exuberant growth of weeds.
We need a passive verb here.
6. The play was so successful that it ………………………. an extended engagement at the local theater.
When the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, we need a past verb in the subordinate clause as well.
7. An extensive desert …………………………. much of northern Africa.
8. During World War II, many Germans ………………………… in the United States.
To simply state that something happened in the past, we use the simple past tense.
9. The novel Tom Sawyer …………………………….. 19th century life in the United States.
Use the simple present tense to talk about facts.
10. Chess ………………………….. a lot of mental exertion.
11. I have bought a chicken in case your father ……………………… stay to lunch.
Should + infinitive can be used with the same meaning as might + infinitive after in case.
12. In case the ranch burns down, we ……………………….. the insurance money.
Answers
1. An addressing machine facilitates the handling of bulk mail.
2. The old shepherd at age 95 still enjoys the full possession of his faculties.
3. Jim is an extrovert who loves to meet people.
4. Let’s see how she extricates herself from this embarrassing situation.
5. The hillside is covered with an exuberant growth of weeds.
6. The play was so successful that it had an extended engagement at the local theater.
7. An extensive desert covers much of northern Africa.
8. During World War II, many Germans settled in the United States.
9. The novel Tom Sawyer exemplifies 19th century life in the United States.
10. Chess requires a lot of mental exertion.
11. I have bought a chicken in case your father might / should stay to lunch.
12. In case the ranch burns down, we will get the insurance money.
