Mixed tenses - ESL worksheet by Tati Colella - Free Printable

Task: Solve the problems in the worksheet "Mixed Tenses"

#### Section A: Complete the sentences with the correct Present Simple.

1. Does he and she work together? (work)
- Answer: Do they work together?
- Explanation: The subject "he and she" is plural, so we use "do" as the auxiliary verb.

2. They ________ on the bed. (not / jump)
- Answer: They don't jump on the bed.
- Explanation: The negative form of the Present Simple for "jump" is "don't jump."

3. Patty ________ her little sister. (help)
- Answer: Patty helps her little sister.
- Explanation: Patty is a singular subject, so the verb remains in its base form but adds an "-s" to indicate the third-person singular.

4. ________ you ________ Rock n' Roll? (like)
- Answer: Do you like Rock n' Roll?
- Explanation: For questions in the Present Simple, use "do" as the auxiliary verb for plural or second-person subjects.

5. They ________ TV programs at nights. (not / watch)
- Answer: They don't watch TV programs at nights.
- Explanation: The negative form of the Present Simple for "watch" is "don't watch."

6. Michael ________ Madonna, he ________ Punk Rock. (not like / like)
- Answer: Michael doesn't like Madonna, he likes Punk Rock.
- Explanation: Michael is a singular subject, so we use "doesn't like" for the negative and "likes" for the affirmative.

7. ________ you ________ meat? No, I ________. (eat)
- Answer: Do you eat meat? No, I don't.
- Explanation: For questions, use "do," and for negatives, use "don't."

8. Williams ________ every day at school. (cry)
- Answer: Williams cries every day at school.
- Explanation: Williams is a singular subject, so the verb remains in its base form but adds an "-s" to indicate the third-person singular.

9. She ________ with her top in the afternoon. (play)
- Answer: She plays with her top in the afternoon.
- Explanation: She is a singular subject, so the verb remains in its base form but adds an "-s" to indicate the third-person singular.

10. He ________ very hard. (study)
- Answer: He studies very hard.
- Explanation: He is a singular subject, so the verb remains in its base form but adds an "-s" to indicate the third-person singular.

---

#### Section B: Complete the spaces with the correct Present Continuous.

1. ________ she ________ alone? (swim)
- Answer: Is she swimming alone?
- Explanation: The Present Continuous uses "be + verb-ing." For "she," the auxiliary verb is "is."

2. They ________ Maths. (not / study)
- Answer: They aren't studying Maths.
- Explanation: The Present Continuous uses "be + verb-ing." For "they," the auxiliary verb is "are," and the negative form is "aren't."

3. Michael ________ the newspaper. (read)
- Answer: Michael is reading the newspaper.
- Explanation: The Present Continuous uses "be + verb-ing." For "Michael," the auxiliary verb is "is."

4. ________ I ________ to Europe? (travel)
- Answer: Am I traveling to Europe?
- Explanation: The Present Continuous uses "be + verb-ing." For "I," the auxiliary verb is "am."

5. Pedro ________ soccer. (play)
- Answer: Pedro is playing soccer.
- Explanation: The Present Continuous uses "be + verb-ing." For "Pedro," the auxiliary verb is "is."

6. ________ my grandfather ________ tango? (dance)
- Answer: Is my grandfather dancing tango?
- Explanation: The Present Continuous uses "be + verb-ing." For "my grandfather," the auxiliary verb is "is."

7. ________ the dog ________ to the people? (bark)
- Answer: Is the dog barking to the people?
- Explanation: The Present Continuous uses "be + verb-ing." For "the dog," the auxiliary verb is "is."

8. The children ________ at school. (not / eat)
- Answer: The children aren't eating at school.
- Explanation: The Present Continuous uses "be + verb-ing." For "the children," the auxiliary verb is "are," and the negative form is "aren't."

9. The monkeys ________ on the bed! (jump)
- Answer: The monkeys are jumping on the bed!
- Explanation: The Present Continuous uses "be + verb-ing." For "the monkeys," the auxiliary verb is "are."

10. “SpongeBob” ________ jellyfish. (catch)
- Answer: “SpongeBob” is catching jellyfish.
- Explanation: The Present Continuous uses "be + verb-ing." For "SpongeBob," the auxiliary verb is "is."

---

#### Section C: Complete with the correct verb (Present Continuous or Simple)?

1. While Mary ________ the bedroom, Mike usually ________ the kitchen. (clean / clean)
- Answer: While Mary cleans the bedroom, Mike usually cleans the kitchen.
- Explanation: The first part describes a habitual action (Mary cleaning), so we use the Present Simple. The second part also describes a habitual action, so we use the Present Simple.

2. ________ you often ________ in Fabalera? No, I ________. At this moment, my mom ________ there. (buy / buy)
- Answer: Do you often buy in Fabalera? No, I don't. At this moment, my mom is buying there.
- Explanation: The first part asks about a habitual action, so we use the Present Simple. The negative response also uses the Present Simple. The last part describes an action happening now, so we use the Present Continuous.

3. ________ he usually ________ the homework? Yes, he ________. Now he ________ an English activity. (do / do)
- Answer: Does he usually do the homework? Yes, he does. Now he is doing an English activity.
- Explanation: The first part asks about a habitual action, so we use the Present Simple. The affirmative response also uses the Present Simple. The last part describes an action happening now, so we use the Present Continuous.

4. Now, we ________ for the English test, we almost always ________ after class. (study / study)
- Answer: Now, we are studying for the English test, we almost always study after class.
- Explanation: The first part describes an action happening now, so we use the Present Continuous. The second part describes a habitual action, so we use the Present Simple.

---

Final Answers:

Section A:
1. Do they work together?
2. They don't jump on the bed.
3. Patty helps her little sister.
4. Do you like Rock n' Roll?
5. They don't watch TV programs at nights.
6. Michael doesn't like Madonna, he likes Punk Rock.
7. Do you eat meat? No, I don't.
8. Williams cries every day at school.
9. She plays with her top in the afternoon.
10. He studies very hard.

Section B:
1. Is she swimming alone?
2. They aren't studying Maths.
3. Michael is reading the newspaper.
4. Am I traveling to Europe?
5. Pedro is playing soccer.
6. Is my grandfather dancing tango?
7. Is the dog barking to the people?
8. The children aren't eating at school.
9. The monkeys are jumping on the bed!
10. “SpongeBob” is catching jellyfish.

Section C:
1. While Mary cleans the bedroom, Mike usually cleans the kitchen.
2. Do you often buy in Fabalera? No, I don't. At this moment, my mom is buying there.
3. Does he usually do the homework? Yes, he does. Now he is doing an English activity.
4. Now, we are studying for the English test, we almost always study after class.

Final Answer:
\boxed{
\text{See detailed explanations above.}
}