Tense Detective
I was sleeping when suddenly someone knocks on the door.
Is this sentence correct?
No!
knocked
We were watching TV when…
Expect Past Simple interruption
e.g. “…the lights went out.”
He leave the room. He forget his phone.
He had forgotten his phone when he left the room.
Have you ever eaten octopus?
Is this sentence correct?
Yes!
What has keys but can’t open locks?
A piano
We have gone to the museum last Saturday.
Is this sentence correct?
No!
went
She had just finished her homework when…
Expect Past Simple continuation
e.g. “…her friend called.”
She finish cooking. Then the guests arrive.
She had finished cooking before the guests arrived.
She has ever visited Japan?
Is this sentence correct?
No!
Has she ever visited Japan?
Which of these English words comes from another language?
a) chocolate
b) run
c) think
chocolate – from Nahuatl xocolatl
We were playing outside because it has stopped raining.
Is this sentence correct?
No!
had stopped
He had been studying all morning, so by the time the test started…
Expect Past Simple / mental state:
e.g. “…he felt confident.”
We wait for an hour when the bus finally come.
We had been waiting for an hour when the bus finally came.
I have never seen snow before I went to Canada.
Is this sentence correct?
No!
I had never seen snow before I went to Canada.
What does the idiom “It’s raining cats and dogs” mean?
a) The weather is nice
b) It’s raining very heavily
c) There are animals outside
b) It’s raining very heavily
They didn’t see the message because they had left already.
Is this sentence correct?
Yes!
I have always wanted to visit Paris, and last year…
Combine Present Perfect + Past Simple:
e.g. “…I finally did.”
They start the film. We not arrive yet.
They had started the film before we arrived.
Use “never” in a Present Perfect sentence about a skill.
e.g. I have never learned how to skateboard.
Unscramble the word: RUCOTMIONMAC
COMMUNICATION
By the time the movie started, we have found our seats.
Is this sentence correct?
No!
had found
The kids were playing in the garden while the parents…
Combine Past Continuous or Past Perfect:
e.g. “…were preparing lunch.” / “…had already set the table.”
He be tired. He train for weeks.
He was tired because he had been training for weeks.
Create a question using “ever” and Present Perfect Continuous.
e.g. Have you ever been studying for so long that you forgot to eat?
What is the American English word for “trainers”?
sneakers