Different Uses of Present Tenses
Explain the difference between these two sentences:
A) "I work out every morning."
B) "I’m working out every morning."
A) Refers to a regular habit or routine (Present Simple).
B) Refers to a temporary habit or routine happening at the moment or around the present time (Present Continuous).
Which adjective best fits?
"She bought a pair of ___ jeans."
a) bootcut
b) flared
flared
Replace the noun in this sentence with a quantifier:
"She bought several shirts."
Ex: "She bought several/some/all of them."
Omit the noun in this sentence:
"She loves chocolate, and I love chocolate too."
"She loves chocolate, and I do too."
Choose the correct verb form:
"I’ve thought/been thinking about your suggestion."
been thinking (The continuous form emphasizes the ongoing nature of the thought process, suggesting an active consideration.)
Explain the difference between these two sentences:
A) "She’s lived here for five years."
B) "She’s been living here for five years."
A) Uses Present Perfect Simple to emphasize the duration or fact of living there.
B) Uses Present Perfect Continuous to focus on the ongoing activity and its continuity.
Complete the sentence:
"He’s wearing a ___ jacket with his initials stitched on it."
a) scruffy
b) embroidered
embroidered
Substitute the repeated verb: "He said he would finish the project, and I believe he will."
"He said he would finish the project, and I believe so."
Omit the repeated verb:
"He’s finished his homework, and she has finished hers too."
"He’s finished his homework, and she has too."
Choose the correct verb form:
"I’ve read/been reading the book you recommended."
been reading (The continuous form indicates the action is ongoing and not yet completed, showing active engagement.)
Explain the difference between these two sentences:
A) "He’s always calling me late at night."
B) "He always calls me late at night."
A) Uses Present Continuous to express annoyance or irritation about a repeated action.
B) Uses Present Simple to describe a regular habit or behavior without emotional connotation.
Complete the sentence:
"I saw a ___ dress in the store window that would be perfect for the party."
a) stylish
b) skimpy
stylish
Replace the repeated information:
"Do you think he’ll win the competition?"
"I expect he will win the competition."
"Do you think he’ll win the competition?"
"I expect so."
Omit the infinitive phrase:
"I hope to win the competition, but I don’t expect to win it."
"I hope to win the competition, but I don’t expect to."
Choose the correct verb form:
"She’s worked/been working there for six months."
The continuous form highlights the duration and ongoing nature of the work, which is more common when emphasizing time.
Explain the difference between these two sentences:
A) "She’s taken up painting."
B) "She’s been taking up painting."
A) Uses Present Perfect Simple to indicate a completed action that affects the present.
B) Uses Present Perfect Continuous to describe a recent, ongoing process or activity.
Which adjective best fits?
"Those ___ trousers are coming back into fashion."
a) pleated
b) faded
pleated
Substitute the if-clause:
"If he’s coming, we’ll have to buy more food."
"If so, we’ll have to buy more food."
"I would like to know where she’s going."
"I’d like to know where she’s going."
Choose the correct verb form:
"I’ve known/been knowing her since high school."
Known (Stative verbs like "know" don’t typically use continuous forms because they describe states, not actions.)
Explain the difference between these two sentences:
A) "I’ve thought about your offer."
B) "I’ve been thinking about your offer."
A) Present Perfect Simple shows the action is complete and focuses on the result of the thought.
B) Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the ongoing process of considering the offer.
Which adjective best fits?
"He prefers ___ clothes that stand out in a crowd."
a) loud
b) shabby
loud
Substitute the repeated noun:
"Some of the students passed the test, but others did not pass the test."
"Some of the students passed the test, but others did not."
"She wants to leave early, and I want to leave early too."
"She wants to leave early, and I want to too."
Choose the correct verb form:
"We’ve waited/been waiting here for over an hour."
been waiting (The continuous form emphasizes the duration and ongoing nature of the action, making it more suitable when focusing on time elapsed.)