ESL worksheet focusing on verb tenses with interactive exercises and playful illustrations.

Let's solve the grammar exercise on tenses step by step. This worksheet focuses on:

- A. Simple Present vs. Present Continuous
- B. Simple Present, Present Continuous, and Simple Future
- C. Simple Past vs. Past Continuous

We’ll fill in the blanks with the correct verb forms and explain each answer.

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A. Simple Present – Present Continuous

1. What do you plan to do this weekend?
I am thinking of going skiing. Would you like to come with me?
✔ *“plan” → present simple (planned action); “thinking” → present continuous (current thought)*

2. He usually catches the 7.30 bus to work but today the drivers are on strike so he is going to work by taxi.
✔ *“catches” → simple present (habit); “is going” → present continuous (current plan)*

3. Why are you preparing so much food?
Because we are having a party tonight.
✔ *“preparing” → present continuous (action happening now); “having” → present continuous (future arrangement)*

4. They always call us if they are late.
✔ *“call” → simple present (habitual action); “are late” → present continuous (state at the time)*

5. What time does the play start? At 8.30, so hurry up!
✔ *“start” → simple present (scheduled event)*

6. I’m sorry but you have to wait. The doctor is seeing another patient at the moment.
✔ *“is seeing” → present continuous (action happening now)*

7. How often do they visit their grandparents?
✔ *“visit” → simple present (regular habit)*

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B. Simple Present – Present Continuous – Simple Future

1. Don’t worry. We won’t leave without you!
✔ *“won’t leave” → simple future (promise)*

2. They are coming back on Sunday so we will get ready to welcome them back.
✔ *“are coming” → present continuous (future plan); “will get” → simple future (decision now)*

3. I am sure she will help you if you ask her to.
✔ *“will help” → simple future (prediction); “ask” → simple present (condition)*

4. The train arrives at 2.30. Will you pick me up?
✔ *“arrives” → simple present (timetable); “Will you pick” → simple future (question about future action)*

5. Don’t forget to lock the door before you go to bed.
✔ *“go” → simple present (routine action in a conditional)*

6. We rarely stay at home on Saturdays.
✔ *“stay” → simple present (habit)*

7. I’m afraid Jonathan won’t be able to be here on time.
✔ *“won’t be” → simple future (prediction)*

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C. Simple Past – Past Continuous

1. He ran home and told his mother the news.
✔ *Two past actions in sequence: “ran” and “told” — both simple past*

2. She was cleaning the window when she fell down.
✔ *“was cleaning” → past continuous (ongoing action); “fell” → simple past (interrupting event)*

3. The dogs were barking while the thieves were trying to break into the house.
✔ *Both actions ongoing at the same time: past continuous for both*

4. What was he doing while you were answering the e-mails?
✔ *“was he doing” and “were answering” → both past continuous (actions in progress)*

5. When mother returned, I was sleeping.
✔ *“returned” → simple past (completed action); “was sleeping” → past continuous (ongoing action at that time)*

6. What were you doing when Kate walked into the room?
✔ *“were you doing” → past continuous (ongoing action); “walked” → simple past (short action)*

7. The children were playing in the garden while their father was painting the kitchen.
✔ *Both actions ongoing: past continuous for both*

8. The boys were laughing as they watched T.V.
✔ *“were laughing” → past continuous (ongoing); “watched” → simple past (simultaneous action)*

9. When I got up, I ran to the bathroom to have a shower.
✔ *“got up” → simple past (start of action); “ran” → simple past (sequence of actions)*

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✔ Final Answers:

#### A.
1. do you plan / am thinking
2. catches / is going
3. are you preparing / are having
4. call / are late
5. does the play start
6. is seeing
7. do they visit

#### B.
1. won’t leave
2. are coming / will get
3. will help / ask
4. arrives / Will you pick
5. go
6. stay
7. won’t be

#### C.
1. ran / told
2. was cleaning / fell
3. were barking / were trying
4. was he doing / were answering
5. returned / was sleeping
6. were you doing / walked
7. were playing / was painting
8. were laughing / watched
9. got / ran

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🔍 Explanation Summary:

- Simple Present: Habits, facts, routines.
- Present Continuous: Actions happening now or planned in near future.
- Simple Future: Predictions, promises, decisions.
- Past Continuous: Ongoing actions in the past; used with interruptions or simultaneous actions.
- Simple Past: Completed actions in the past.

This worksheet helps distinguish between tenses based on context and timing. Always look at the situation: Is it habitual? Happening now? A completed action? An ongoing past event?

Let me know if you’d like this in printable format or need explanations in another language!