Present Tenses worksheet for English learners to practice choosing the correct verb tense.
A worksheet titled "Present Tenses" with exercises to choose the correct verb tense (Present Simple, Present Continuous, or Present Perfect) for 15 sentences. The worksheet has a yellow background with an orange border and is from LiveWorksheets.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Present tenses exercise
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Present tenses exercise
Here is the completed worksheet with the correct verb tense (Present Simple, Present Continuous, or Present Perfect) filled in for each blank, followed by a clear explanation for each choice.
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1. My boss _has been_ to New York on business twice so far this year.
✔ Present Perfect
*Explanation:* “So far this year” indicates a time period that started in the past and continues to the present. The Present Perfect (“has been”) is used to talk about experiences or actions that happened at an unspecified time before now, especially with words like “so far,” “already,” “yet,” or “twice.”
---
2. The soup _doesn’t taste_ good. I think some vegetables are rotten.
✔ Present Simple
*Explanation:* This expresses a general fact or current state — how the soup tastes *right now*. We use the Present Simple for senses (taste, smell, feel, etc.) when describing a current condition.
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3. My son _is riding_ his bike in the park.
✔ Present Continuous
*Explanation:* This describes an action happening *right now* or around the current time. The phrase “in the park” suggests it’s currently occurring — hence, Present Continuous.
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4. She _is typing_ the letters but she _hasn’t finished_ them yet.
✔ Present Continuous + Present Perfect
*Explanation:*
- First blank: “is typing” — she is actively doing it *now*.
- Second blank: “hasn’t finished” — “yet” signals the Present Perfect, showing an action that started in the past and is still not complete.
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5. Please turn the volume down. The children _are sleeping_.
✔ Present Continuous
*Explanation:* The request to lower the volume implies the children are *currently* sleeping. Present Continuous is used for actions happening at the moment of speaking.
---
6. A: Who _does she live_ with? B: She lives with her parents.
✔ Present Simple
*Explanation:* Asking about a habitual or permanent situation — where someone usually lives. Present Simple is used for routines, facts, and general truths.
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7. A: Why _are you knocking_? B: I _think_ there’s someone at the door.
✔ Present Continuous + Present Simple
*Explanation:*
- First blank: “are you knocking” — the action is happening right now (you’re in the process of knocking).
- Second blank: “think” — expressing a current belief or opinion. Use Present Simple for mental states like think, believe, know.
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8. Look at my grandparents! They _have been_ married for more than 50 years and they’re still happy together.
✔ Present Perfect
*Explanation:* “For more than 50 years” indicates duration from the past until now. Present Perfect is used with “for” or “since” to show how long something has continued up to the present.
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9. They are close friends of mine. We _have_ a lot of fun when we meet.
✔ Present Simple
*Explanation:* This describes a regular habit or recurring event — “when we meet.” Present Simple is used for habits, routines, and general truths.
---
10. Our teacher _hasn’t come_ to school since the beginning of the month. She must be really sick.
✔ Present Perfect
*Explanation:* “Since the beginning of the month” shows a time period starting in the past and continuing to now. The negative form “hasn’t come” emphasizes the ongoing absence.
---
11. Next Saturday is Dan’s birthday. He _is having_ it with a big party. I can’t wait!
✔ Present Continuous
*Explanation:* Even though the party is in the future, we use Present Continuous for planned future events, especially social arrangements. “Next Saturday” sets the future context.
---
12. How long _have you known_ your best friend?
✔ Present Perfect
*Explanation:* “How long” asks about duration from the past until now. Present Perfect is used to express how long something has been true or ongoing.
---
13. I won’t be at the office tomorrow morning. I _am seeing_ the dentist.
✔ Present Continuous
*Explanation:* This is a scheduled future appointment. We use Present Continuous for definite future plans, especially with time expressions like “tomorrow morning.”
---
14. _Are you doing_ anything special tonight?
✔ Present Continuous
*Explanation:* Asking about plans for the near future (“tonight”). Present Continuous is commonly used to talk about future arrangements.
---
15. Regina is my next door neighbor. We _get_ along really well.
✔ Present Simple
*Explanation:* Describes a general truth or habitual state — how we usually get along. Present Simple is used for facts, routines, and permanent situations.
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1. has been
2. doesn’t taste
3. is riding
4. is typing / hasn’t finished
5. are sleeping
6. does she live
7. are you knocking / think
8. have been
9. have
10. hasn’t come
11. is having
12. have you known
13. am seeing
14. Are you doing
15. get
---
Let me know if you’d like a printable version or flashcards for review! 😊
---
1. My boss _has been_ to New York on business twice so far this year.
✔ Present Perfect
*Explanation:* “So far this year” indicates a time period that started in the past and continues to the present. The Present Perfect (“has been”) is used to talk about experiences or actions that happened at an unspecified time before now, especially with words like “so far,” “already,” “yet,” or “twice.”
---
2. The soup _doesn’t taste_ good. I think some vegetables are rotten.
✔ Present Simple
*Explanation:* This expresses a general fact or current state — how the soup tastes *right now*. We use the Present Simple for senses (taste, smell, feel, etc.) when describing a current condition.
---
3. My son _is riding_ his bike in the park.
✔ Present Continuous
*Explanation:* This describes an action happening *right now* or around the current time. The phrase “in the park” suggests it’s currently occurring — hence, Present Continuous.
---
4. She _is typing_ the letters but she _hasn’t finished_ them yet.
✔ Present Continuous + Present Perfect
*Explanation:*
- First blank: “is typing” — she is actively doing it *now*.
- Second blank: “hasn’t finished” — “yet” signals the Present Perfect, showing an action that started in the past and is still not complete.
---
5. Please turn the volume down. The children _are sleeping_.
✔ Present Continuous
*Explanation:* The request to lower the volume implies the children are *currently* sleeping. Present Continuous is used for actions happening at the moment of speaking.
---
6. A: Who _does she live_ with? B: She lives with her parents.
✔ Present Simple
*Explanation:* Asking about a habitual or permanent situation — where someone usually lives. Present Simple is used for routines, facts, and general truths.
---
7. A: Why _are you knocking_? B: I _think_ there’s someone at the door.
✔ Present Continuous + Present Simple
*Explanation:*
- First blank: “are you knocking” — the action is happening right now (you’re in the process of knocking).
- Second blank: “think” — expressing a current belief or opinion. Use Present Simple for mental states like think, believe, know.
---
8. Look at my grandparents! They _have been_ married for more than 50 years and they’re still happy together.
✔ Present Perfect
*Explanation:* “For more than 50 years” indicates duration from the past until now. Present Perfect is used with “for” or “since” to show how long something has continued up to the present.
---
9. They are close friends of mine. We _have_ a lot of fun when we meet.
✔ Present Simple
*Explanation:* This describes a regular habit or recurring event — “when we meet.” Present Simple is used for habits, routines, and general truths.
---
10. Our teacher _hasn’t come_ to school since the beginning of the month. She must be really sick.
✔ Present Perfect
*Explanation:* “Since the beginning of the month” shows a time period starting in the past and continuing to now. The negative form “hasn’t come” emphasizes the ongoing absence.
---
11. Next Saturday is Dan’s birthday. He _is having_ it with a big party. I can’t wait!
✔ Present Continuous
*Explanation:* Even though the party is in the future, we use Present Continuous for planned future events, especially social arrangements. “Next Saturday” sets the future context.
---
12. How long _have you known_ your best friend?
✔ Present Perfect
*Explanation:* “How long” asks about duration from the past until now. Present Perfect is used to express how long something has been true or ongoing.
---
13. I won’t be at the office tomorrow morning. I _am seeing_ the dentist.
✔ Present Continuous
*Explanation:* This is a scheduled future appointment. We use Present Continuous for definite future plans, especially with time expressions like “tomorrow morning.”
---
14. _Are you doing_ anything special tonight?
✔ Present Continuous
*Explanation:* Asking about plans for the near future (“tonight”). Present Continuous is commonly used to talk about future arrangements.
---
15. Regina is my next door neighbor. We _get_ along really well.
✔ Present Simple
*Explanation:* Describes a general truth or habitual state — how we usually get along. Present Simple is used for facts, routines, and permanent situations.
---
✔ Final Answer Key:
1. has been
2. doesn’t taste
3. is riding
4. is typing / hasn’t finished
5. are sleeping
6. does she live
7. are you knocking / think
8. have been
9. have
10. hasn’t come
11. is having
12. have you known
13. am seeing
14. Are you doing
15. get
---
Let me know if you’d like a printable version or flashcards for review! 😊
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of present tenses worksheet.
