Perfect Versus Perfect Continuous
Future Perfect or Simple Future
Name that Verb Tense
Example Sentence
Correct or Incorrect
100
I (clean) the house all day, so maybe I didn't hear the phone ring. a. have cleaned b. have been cleaning
b. have been cleaning
100
Margaret: I hope so. They (arrive) around 6 o'clock. Jerry: Everything (be) spotless by the time they get here. a. will have arrived, will have been spotless b. will arrive, will be spotless
b. will arrive, will be spotless
100

I was studying English when you called yesterday.

past continuous

100

present perfect continuous

Will vary

100
As soon as I get home, it started to rain heavily.
Incorrect (got)
200
I (tidy / not) up the kitchen yet. Why are you here? a. have not tidied b. have not been tidying
a. have not tidied
200
Stan: Sarah (visit) Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. Fred: At this rate, she (visit) every country in the world by the time she's 50. a. is going to visit, will have visited b. will have visited, will visit
a. is going to visit, will have visited
200
I have studied English in several different countries.
present perfect
200
past perfect
Will vary
200
We had had the chance to visit many museums in Paris last vacation and it was a great trip.
Incorrect (had)
300
She (learn) Spanish for a year and wants to spend her next holiday in Mexico. a. has learned b. has been learning
b. has been learning
300

I love Miami, so I (stay) here for an extended period of time. When I go back home, I (be) here for more than three months.

will stay/am going to stay, will have been

300

I had been studying English for five years before I moved to the U.S.

past perfect continuous

300

future continuous

Will vary

300
I have been working on this project for days without success.
Correct
400
By the time I finally left the coffee shop where we were supposed to meet, I (have) five cups of coffee. a. had had b. had been having
a. had had
400
Jane: I couldn't get my hair to look right. Jack: Who cares? By the time we get there, everyone (left) .
will have left
400

I will be studying English when you arrive tonight.

future continuous

400

future perfect continuous

Will vary

400
If he hadn't broken up with his girlfriend, he would not have suffered now.
Incorrect (would not be suffering now)
500
I (try) to get tickets for that play for months, and I didn't want to miss it. a. had tried b. had been trying
b. had been trying
500
Margaret: Do you think everything will be finished when I get back from the store? Jerry: Don't worry. By the time you get back, I (pick) up the living room and (finish) washing the dishes. Everything will be perfect when your parents arrive.
will have picked up, will have finished OR finished
500

I will have been studying English for over two hours by the time you arrive.

future perfect continuous

500

past perfect continuous

Will vary

500
Whenever I will talk to my boss, I get butterflies in my stomach.
Incorrect (talk)
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