PRESENT PRESENT PAST SIMPLE PAST

CONTINUOUS CONTINUOUS
SIMPLE

Used to describe: Used to describe actions in Used to describe: Used to describe:

habits in the present.
states in the present.
universal truths.
I wash my hair twice a
week. (habit)
Susan works at the
Laundromat. (state in the
present)
The lion kills for food.
(universal truth)
progress at the moment we
speak.
Leonard is playing outside
now.
Virginia and her friends are
studying for the test
tomorrow.
I am preparing the dinner;
I can’t help you right now,
Billie.
a single action in the a long action that was
past in a determined or in progress at a
undetermined (less certain time in the
frequently) time. past.
a finished action in the a long action that was
past. being performed when
We lived in Virginia for 3 a short action
years before moving to happened.
Colorado. I was taking a shower
Melissa found her when the phone rang,
lunchbox this morning. that’s why I didn’t answer.

Now do the
Mark the correct alternative to complete the
exercises: sentences below:
1. Juan __ from Porto Rico when he __ 7 years
old.
a) came / was b) come / is c) was coming / is
2. Larisa __ her fiancé every night before sleeping.
a) called b) is calling c) calls
3. Oscar __ math. I __ to explain many times in
Complete with the proper tense of the verbs given: vain.
1. Mom _______________________ the attic when she ________ a) doesn’t understand / am trying
from the ladder, but she’s OK now. [to clean; to fall] b) didn’t understand / was trying
c) doesn’t understand / tried
2. Juliet _________________ to marry Romeo but her family
4. The cat __ that dead rat this morning. Please,
___________________ the idea. [to want; not /to accept] get rid of it, I ____ sick.
3. I ___________________ this book when I _______________ for a) brings / am getting
this course, but I ____________________ it anymore. [to buy; to b) brought / am getting
enroll; not / to need] c) is bringing / get
4. Dad _____________ downtown and Mom ___________ nearby, 5. When Laura __ 10 we __ her we will give her a
so they _________ to work together. [to work; to work; to go] car when she __ 16.
a) is / promise / becomes
5. Martin can’t go to the meeting; he ___________________ his b) was / promise / became
vacations on the beach and will return next week. [to spend] c) was / promised / becomes
6. I ____________ a new car, this one ____________________ a 6. I __ it! The purse __ on that desk 2 minutes ago
strange noise and the mechanic can’t fix it. [to need; to make] and now it simple __!
7. Cecilia __________________ a book when she _____________ a) wasn’t getting / is / disappears b) don’t get / was
her favorite soap opera ________ on. [to read; to realize; to be] / disappeared c) didn’t get / was / disappears
7. The Millers __ when the guy __ into their house.
8. Patricia and her friends ________________________ a party in
a) slept / broke b) were sleeping / breaks
the garage to celebrate her promotion. You can’t put your car there c) were sleeping / broke
now. [to throw] 8. How long __ in that line to get the tickets for the
9. When I ___________ a little girl I _______________ in Santa show yesterday?
Claus, witches and angels. Now I barely ______________ in a) did you wait b) are your waiting c) do you wait
justice. [to be; to believe; to believe]
Teacher’s keys

Complete with the proper tense of the verbs given:

1. Mom was cleaning the attic when she fell from the ladder, but she’s OK now. [to clean; to fall]
2. Juliet wanted to marry Romeo but her family didn’t accept the idea. [to want; not /to accept]
3. I bought this book when I enrolled for this course, but I don’t need it anymore. [to buy; to enroll; not /
to need]
4. Dad works downtown and Mom works nearby, so they go to work together. [to work; to work; to go]
5. Martin can’t go to the meeting; he is spending his vacations on the beach and will return next week. [to spend]
6. I need a new car, this one is making a strange noise and the mechanic can’t fix it. [to need; to make]
7. Cecilia was reading a book when she realized her favorite soap opera was on. [to read; to realize; to be]
8. Patricia and her friends are throwing a party in the garage to celebrate her promotion. You can’t put your car there now.
[to throw]
9. When I was a little girl I believed in Santa Claus, witches and angels. Now I barely believe in justice. [to be; to believe;
to believe]

Mark the correct alternative to complete the sentences below:

1. Juan __ from Porto Rico when he __ 7 years old.
a) came / was b) come / is c) was coming / is
2. Larisa __ her fiancé every night before sleeping.
a) called b) is calling c) calls
3. Oscar __ math. I __ to explain many times in vain.
a) doesn’t understand / am trying
b) didn’t understand / was trying
c) doesn’t understand / tried
4. The cat __ that dead rat this morning. Please, get rid of it, I ____ sick.
a) brings / am getting
b) brought / am getting
c) is bringing / get
5. When Laura __ 10 we __ her we will give her a car when she __ 16.
a) is / promise / becomes
b) was / promise / became
c) was / promised / becomes
6. I __ it! The purse __ on that desk 2 minutes ago and now it simple __!
a) wasn’t getting / is / disappears b) don’t get / was / disappeared c) didn’t get / was / disappears
7. The Millers __ when the guy __ into their house.
a) slept / broke b) were sleeping / breaks
c) were sleeping / broke
8. How long __ in that line to get the tickets for the show yesterday?
a) did you wait b) are your waiting c) do you wait