Tenses exercise for CBSE Class 10

Complete the following sentences using appropriate tense forms.

Question 1

They ————1————- (repair) the roof since morning. It ————-2———- (be) 6 pm now. The contractor says that they ————–3———— (finish) the job in about 2 hours.

Solution

They have been repairing the roof since morning. It is 6 pm now. The contractor says that they will finish the job in about 2 hours.

Explanation

1. Here we use the present perfect continuous tense because we are talking about an action that started in the past (morning) and has continued up to the present.

2. We use the simple present tense to tell the time.

3. We use the simple future tense to make simple predictions about the future.

Question 2

Our exams ————1———– (begin) next week. I ———–2———— (already revise) the lessons once. During my previous attempt, I ————3———— (fail) in mathematics. This time I ————4———- (want) to pass in all subjects.

Solution

Our exams begin next week. I have already revised the lessons once. During my previous attempt, I failed in mathematics. This time I want to pass in all subjects.

Explanation

We use the simple present tense here because we are talking about a future event that is part of a time table. The simple future tense is also possible in these situations.

2. We use the present perfect tense to talk about an action completed at an unspecified point of time in the past. In this sentence I don’t say when I revised the lessons. I merely state that I have revised the lessons once. The present perfect tense should be used in these situations.

Compare:

• I revised my lessons yesterday. (I use the simple past tense here because I say when I revised the lessons.)
• I have revised my lessons once. (I use the present perfect tense here because I don’t say when I performed the action.)

3. We use the simple past tense here because we are talking about a finished action in the past.

Question 3

Our headmaster ————1———– (retire) from service next year. He ————-2——— (work) in our school since 1983. He ———-3——— (be) very sincere and honest. So he ———4———— (receive) an award last year.

Solution

Our headmaster is retiring / will retire from service next year. He has been working in our school since 1983. He is very sincere and honest. So he received an award last year.

Explanation

1. We often use the present continuous tense to talk about fixed plans or arrangements. The simple future tense is also possible in these situations.

2. Here we use the present perfect continuous tense because we are talking about an action that started in the past and has continued up to the present.

3. We use the simple present tense to talk about facts and general truths.

4. We use the simple past tense to say that something happened in the past.