EF2/3 Verb tense exercises

Shifts in Verb Tense

A.   Fix any confusing shifts in verb tense.

1.     If the man buys a new car, he will sell his old one.

2.     While Barbara was putting in her contact lenses, the telephone rang.

3.     Billions of people will watch the Olympics before they are over.

4.     When the movie opened, many fans bought tickets for it.

5.     After my aunt visits her mother in the hospital, she will speak to the doctors.

After my aunt visited her mother in the hospital, she spoke to the doctors.

6.     I was very mad at my sister because she was rude.

    I am very mad at my sister because she was rude.

7.     The teacher marked the tests as soon as the students left.

8.     He hopes the Canucks will win.

9.     She wants to show you the green dress that she bought.

      She wants to show you the school that she goes to.

10.                        The boy said that he will drink the juice.

    The boy said that he drank the juice.

    I will give you the test that we prepared for.

I bought a ticket, but she will buy hers later.

I bought a ticket, but she didn't buy hers yet.

B. Complete these sentences using the tense suggested.

1. She is a patient person, so she will be a good doctor. (future)

2. The dog is barking at the cat. (present progressive)

The dog eats quickly. (simple present)

The dog has slept for five hours. (present perfect)

The dog has been sleeping for five hours. (present perfect progressive)

3. After the fog lifted, the sky was clear. (past)

After the fog lifted, they left.

4. We will leave for Calgary as soon as we can. (present)

We will leave for Calgary as soon as we finish our project.

We will leave for Calgary as soon as our father arrives.

5. The youngest student is a cute boy. (present)

The youngest student in the class is Tom.

The youngest student studies very hard.

6. Yesterday our track team won the 10k race. (past)

Yesterday our track team came in third place.

7. Before the carpenter builds a wall, he always drinks a cup of coffee. (present)

Before the carpenter builds a wall, he always prepares the material.

Before the carpenter builds a wall, he always measures carefully.

8. Before the doctor sees that patient, she will look at his chart. (future)

Before the doctor sees that patient, she will wash her hands.

9. When the letter arrived, he opened it. (past)

10. When the final report is published, it will be released. (future)

When the final report is published, it will be printed for us.