REVISION TENSES: PRESENT, PAST AND FUTURE - ESL worksheet by emece - Free Printable

Here’s the completed worksheet with correct verb tenses filled in, along with explanations for each answer.

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REVISION TENSES: PRESENT, PAST AND FUTURE

1. Richard _wrote_ three e-mails yesterday.
→ *Past Simple* — “yesterday” indicates a completed action in the past.

2. I’m sorry, Tom isn’t here. He _has just gone_.
→ *Present Perfect* — “just” + recent completed action with present relevance (he is not here now).

3. Yesterday at six o’clock I _was studying_ maths.
→ *Past Continuous* — specific time in the past (“at six o’clock”) + ongoing action.

4. Look! That man _has fallen_ down.
→ *Present Perfect* — “Look!” suggests the result is visible now; the fall happened recently and affects the present.

5. I’m leaving tonight. The coach _leaves_ at 10.30.
→ *Present Simple for future schedule* — fixed timetable (coach departure).

6. Andrew _was walking_ in the street when he saw the woman.
→ *Past Continuous* — background action interrupted by another past action (“saw”).

7. – Are you ready to order? – Yes, I _will have_ a pizza, please.
→ *Future Simple* — making a decision at the moment of speaking.

8. Don’t worry with this problem. I _will help_ you.
→ *Future Simple* — offering help spontaneously.

9. – What _are you doing_ now? – I _am doing_ a composition.
→ *Present Continuous* — actions happening right now (“now”).

10. – Why are you so tired? – Because I _have been working_ all the morning.
→ *Present Perfect Continuous* — action started in the past and continues up to now (or just finished), explaining current state (tiredness).

11. Next summer Matt _will visit_ Ireland.
→ *Future Simple* — prediction or plan for the future (“next summer”).

12. He usually _goes_ to work by bus.
→ *Present Simple* — habitual action (“usually”).

13. Recently Mary _has behaved_ badly.
→ *Present Perfect* — “recently” = unspecified time before now; action has present relevance.

14. While my mother _was cooking_, he was lying on the sofa.
→ *Past Continuous* — two simultaneous actions in the past.

15. Please, be quiet. The baby _is sleeping_.
→ *Present Continuous* — action happening now.

16. As Rebecca _was watching_ TV, her husband was doing the ironing.
→ *Past Continuous* — two simultaneous actions in the past.

17. He _will see_ the manager tomorrow.
→ *Future Simple* — scheduled future event (“tomorrow”).

18. After he _had cleaned_ his room, he started studying.
→ *Past Perfect* — action completed before another past action (“started studying”).

19. – Which sweater do you like the most? – OK, I _will take_ the blue one.
→ *Future Simple* — instant decision at the moment of speaking.

20. He _has bought_ a new car.
→ *Present Perfect* — recent past action with present relevance (he now owns it).

21. Tomorrow the weather _will be_ rainy and cold.
→ *Future Simple* — prediction about the future.

22. When he saw her, she _was dancing_ in front of the mirror.
→ *Past Continuous* — ongoing action interrupted by a past simple action (“saw”).

23. Look at that boy. He _has scored_ a goal.
→ *Present Perfect* — recent action with visible result (“look at him” — he’s celebrating or the goal matters now).

24. He _does not believe_ in God.
→ *Present Simple* — general truth or habit (belief is a state).

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✔ Summary of Tense Usage:

- Past Simple: Completed actions in the past (yesterday, last week, etc.)
- Present Perfect: Recent actions, experiences, or actions with present results.
- Past Continuous: Ongoing actions in the past, often interrupted.
- Present Continuous: Actions happening now or temporary situations.
- Future Simple (will): Spontaneous decisions, predictions, promises.
- Present Simple: Habits, routines, general truths, timetables.
- Past Perfect: Action completed before another past action.
- Present Perfect Continuous: Duration of an action continuing to now.

Let me know if you’d like a printable version or flashcards for these tenses!