Fill in the blanks.
1. I ................... a discussion with my boss in the morning.
Correct!
Wrong!
In the morning usually refers to past time; hence, the simple past is preferred with it.
2. They ...................... to our proposal.
Correct!
Wrong!
The present perfect is commonly used to announce news.
3. Nobody knows how he .................... from the prison.
Correct!
Wrong!
4. The ship has ……………………………….
Correct!
Wrong!
People drown; ships sink.
5. When I talked to her I realized that she ....................... depressed
Correct!
Wrong!
When the main verb is in the past tense, we usually use past tenses in the subordinate clauses as well.
6. I ..................... to him since our last meeting.
Correct!
Wrong!
The present perfect is used to talk about time up to now.
7. I .................... out every day.
Correct!
Wrong!
The simple present is used to talk about habits, routines etc.
8. Neither the manager nor his secretary ...................... present in the office.
Correct!
Wrong!
When we connect two singular subjects with neither/nor, the verb is singular.
9. The quality of life in urban areas ......................... deteriorating.
Correct!
Wrong!
Here the subject is the singular noun quality.
10. Even the mightiest .................... prey to death.
Correct!
Wrong!
The mightiest is a plural expression.
11. He ...................... here a moment ago.
Correct!
Wrong!
12. She .................... yet.
Correct!
Wrong!
Answers
- I had a discussion with my boss in the morning.
- They have agreed to our proposal.
- Nobody knows how he escaped from the prison.
- The ship has sunk.
- When I talked to her I realized that she was depressed.
- I haven’t talked to him since our last meeting.
- I work out every day.
- Neither the manager nor his secretary was present in the office.
- The quality of life in urban areas is deteriorating.
- Even the mightiest have fallen prey to death.
- He was here a moment ago.
- She has not returned yet.
