Tenses Questions and Answers

This set of English Grammar Exercises (MCQs) focuses on “Tenses”.

1. Fill in the blanks.

A verb may refer to __________ time zones.

a) Five
b) Three
c) One
d) Two
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: A verb may refer to three time zones, which are, the present, past and future time zones.

2. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

They have met.
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a) Simple Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb “met” shows that the action is mentioned as finished, complete, or perfect, at the time of speaking. Therefore, it is in Present Perfect Tense.

3. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

I drive the car.

a) Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb “drive” shows the action simple without anything being mentioned about the completeness or incompleteness of the action. Therefore, it is in the Simple Present Tense.

4. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

She is caring.
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a) Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb shows that the action mentioned is incomplete or continuous, that is, as still going on. Therefore, it is in the Present continuous tense.

5. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

I have been working.
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a) Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb is said to be in Present Perfect continuous tense, because the verb shows that the action is going on continuously, and not completed at the present moment.

6. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

It gallops.

a) Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb has mentioned the action simply without indicating any information about the completeness or incompleteness of the action. Therefore, it is in Simple Present tense.

7. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

She has tried.

a) Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb shows that the action mentioned, is finished or complete, or perfect, at the time of speaking. Therefore, it exists in the Present Perfect tense.

8. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

He is eating.

a) Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
b) Present Perfect tense
c) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: In the givens sentence, the verb shows that the action mentioned is incomplete or continuous. Therefore, it is in the Present Continuous tense.

9. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

She has been talking.

a) Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb is said to be in Present Perfect Continuous tense, because the verb denotes that the action is going on continuously, and not completed at this present moment.

10. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

We speak to the officials.

a) Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb “speak” in the Simple Present tense form, because it denotes an action that has been mentioned simply without anything being said about the completeness or incompleteness of the action.

11. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

I am knitting sweaters today.

a) Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb “knitting” is in the Present Continuous tense. This is because, the action mentioned is incomplete or continuous and is still going on.

12. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

It has eaten grass.

a) Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb is in the Present Perfect tense, because the action mentioned is finished, complete or perfect at the time of speaking.

13. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

We have been playing football.

a) Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: In the Present Perfect continuous tense, the verb shows that the action is going on continuously, and not completed at this present moment.

14. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

The baker bakes cakes.

a) Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb “bakes” shows that the action is mentioned simply, without anything being mentioned about the completeness or incompleteness of the action. Therefore, it is in the Simple Present Tense.

15. Identify the tense in the given sentence.

She has been smart with her decisions.

a) Present tense
b) Present Continuous tense
c) Present Perfect tense
d) Present Perfect Continuous tense
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb “smart” is said to be in the Present Perfect Continuous tense as the verb shows that the action is going on continuously, and not completed at the present moment.

More English Grammar Exercises on Tenses:

To practice all topics of English Grammar, here is complete set of 5000+ Questions and Answers.

If you find a mistake in question / option / answer, kindly take a screenshot and email to [email protected]

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Manish Bhojasia, a technology veteran with 20+ years @ Cisco & Wipro, is Founder and CTO at Sanfoundry. He lives in Bangalore, and focuses on development of Linux Kernel, SAN Technologies, Advanced C, Data Structures & Alogrithms. Stay connected with him at LinkedIn.

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