This set of English Grammar Exercises (MCQs) focuses on “Present Tense”.
1. Fill in the blanks.
The ___________ is used to express a habitual action.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: Consider the example: “He exercises every morning”. In this sentence, a habitual action has been described and therefore, it is in the Simple Present tense.
2. Fill in the blanks.
The __________ is used to express general truths.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: Consider the example: “God is powerful”. In this sentence, a general truth has been expressed. Therefore, it is in Simple Present tense.
3. Fill in the blanks.
The __________ is used in exclamatory sentences.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
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Explanation: Consider the example: “Here she comes!”. In the given example, an exclamatory sentence beginning with the word “here”, in order to express what is taking place in the present actually has occurred. Therefore, it is in Simple Present tense.
4. Fill in the blanks.
The __________ is used in vivid narrative as a substitute for the Simple Past.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: Consider the example: “Immediately the Ambulance rushes to the hospital”. In this sentence, a vivid narration has been introduced and therefore, instead of using the past tense “rushed”, the verb “rushes” in Simple Present tense has been used.
5. Fill in the blanks.
The ________ is used to express a future fixed event.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: The Simple Present tense is used in order to express a future event that is part of a timetable or a fixed programme. For example: “The race starts at 7 o’clock”.
6. Fill in the blanks.
The ________ is used to introduce quotations.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: Consider the example: Sean says, “Together we shall rise”. In the given example, quotations have been introduced and therefore, it is in Simple Present tense.
7. Fill in the blanks.
The ________ is sometimes used instead of Simple Future tense.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: The Simple Present tense is used instead of Simple Future tense, in clauses of time and condition. For example: “If it is cold, we shall have coffee”.
8. Fill in the blanks.
The ________ is used in broadcast commentaries.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
b) Present Perfect tense
c) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: In case of broadcast commentaries and on sporting events, the Simple Present tense is used, instead of Present Continuous tense, in order to describe activities where there is stress on the succession of happening rather than on the time period.
9. Fill in the blanks.
The ________ is used instead of the Present Continuous, with the Verbs of Perception.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: Consider the example: “I smell coffee”. In the given sentence the verb is in the Simple Present tense as it doesn’t show any indication of completion or incompletion of the action.
10. Fill in the blanks.
The ________ is used for an action going on at the time of speaking.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: Consider the example: “Shalini is playing the violin”. In the given sentence, the verb “playing” is in the Present Continuous tense as it describes an action that is going on.
11. Fill in the blanks.
The ________ is used for a temporary action.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: The Present Continuous tense is used to denote a temporary action that may or may not be happening at that particular moment or during the time of speaking.
12. Fill in the blanks.
The _________ is used for an action that has already been arranged to take place in the near future.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: Consider the example: “She is going to the party tonight”. The given sentence denotes an action that has been decided to take place in the near future. Therefore, the Present Continuous tense is used here.
13. Fill in the blanks.
The _______ is used to indicate activities completed in the immediate past.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: Consider the example: “We just went out”. In the given sentence, the verb “went” is in the Present Perfect tense as the word “just” denotes an action that was completed in the immediate past.
14. Fill in the blanks.
The _________ is used to denote past actions whose time is not given and not definite.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: For example: “She has read that novel”. In the given sentence, the verb “read” denotes a Present Perfect tense as it denotes a past action whose time hasn’t been mentioned.
15. Fill in the blanks.
The ________ is used to describe past events whose effect in the present is thought more of.
a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer
Explanation: The Present Perfect tense is used to describe past events when their effect in the present is thought more of by us, than the action itself.
More English Grammar Exercises on Present Tense:
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