ENGLISH TENSES
Zero to Hero in 15 Days
Complete Course: Roadmap, Day 1 to Day 15 and Final Lesson
Rules, formulas, time clues, traps, practice questions and answers for all 12 tenses
Roadmap: 15-Day Tense Plan (Day 0)
Day 1: Foundation
Day 2: Present Simple Tense
Day 3: Present Continuous Tense
Day 4: Present Perfect Tense
Day 5: Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Day 6: Revision of All 4 Present Tenses
Day 7: Past Simple Tense
Day 8: Past Continuous Tense
Day 9: Past Perfect Tense
Day 10: Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Day 11: Past Tenses Revision + Present Perfect vs Past Simple
Day 12: Future Simple Tense
Day 13: Future Continuous and Future Perfect
Day 14: Future Perfect Continuous + Full 12-Tense Chart
Day 15: Master Level
Final Lesson: Extra Tips About Tenses
Read one day at a time. Learn the rule and formula, study the examples, then attempt the practice questions before checking the answers. Revise the previous day before starting a new one. Take the 100-question mock test on Day 15 and aim to finish in 30 minutes.
Goal: Solve any fill-in-the-blank tense question in seconds.
Step 1: Find the time clue (yesterday, now, since, already, tomorrow).
Step 2: Find the tense type (Simple, Continuous, Perfect, Perfect Continuous).
Step 3: Put the right verb form (V1, V2, V3, V-ing).
20 min: Learn the rule and formula.
20 min: Study the examples.
30 min: Practise 30 to 50 fill-in-the-blanks.
10 min: Revise yesterday's tense.
Final result: After 15 days you will recognise the tense from the time clue in 2 to 3 seconds and choose the correct answer with confidence.
Goal: Learn the building blocks of every tense.
Subject = who does it. Verb = the action. Object = who or what receives it.
Example: Ram (subject) eats (verb) rice (object).
V1 = base (go) | V2 = past (went) | V3 = past participle (gone) | V-ing (going) | V1 + s/es (goes)
Regular verbs: add -ed. work, worked, worked.
Irregular verbs: must be memorised (see the table below).
Present: is, am, are, has, have, do, does
Past: was, were, had, did
Future: will, shall
I: am / have / was. He, She, It: is / has / does / was. You, We, They: are / have / do / were.
Simple = V1 / V2 / will + V1
Continuous = be verb + V-ing
Perfect = have/has/had + V3
Perfect Continuous = have/has/had + been + V-ing
Learn this code once and every tense becomes easy.
A. Write V2 and V3: 1) go 2) eat 3) write 4) buy 5) sing 6) break 7) teach 8) drive
B. Choose the helping verb:
9) She ___ a teacher. (is / are)
10) They ___ at home. (is / are)
11) I ___ a student. (am / is)
12) He ___ a pen. (have / has)
13) We ___ friends. (is / are)
14) It ___ raining yesterday. (was / were)
15) You ___ late. (was / were)
16) ___ she like tea? (Do / Does)
C. Identify the form (V1, V2, V3 or V-ing): 17) eaten 18) wrote 19) running 20) bring
A: 1) went, gone 2) ate, eaten 3) wrote, written 4) bought, bought 5) sang, sung 6) broke, broken 7) taught, taught 8) drove, driven
B: 9) is 10) are 11) am 12) has 13) are 14) was 15) were 16) Does
C: 17) V3 18) V2 19) V-ing 20) V1
Memorise 25 verbs from the list today and the other 25 tomorrow morning. Say each one aloud: V1, V2, V3.
Goal: Use Present Simple correctly and spot it in any question in 2 seconds.
Habits: I drink tea every morning.
Daily routine: She goes to school at 8.
Universal facts: The sun rises in the east.
Permanent situations: Ram lives in Kathmandu.
Fixed schedules: The train leaves at 6 pm.
always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, seldom, never, every day, every week, daily, weekly, once a week, on Sundays, in the morning, generally, normally
Positive: Subject + V1 (add s/es for He, She, It)
I eat. | You eat. | We eat. | They eat. | He eats. | She eats. | It eats.
Negative: Subject + do not / does not + V1
I do not eat. | He does not eat.
Question: Do / Does + Subject + V1 ?
Do you eat? | Does he eat?
Wh- Question: Wh-word + do/does + Subject + V1 ? Where does she live? | What do they want?
He / She / It / singular name take V1 + s/es, does, has. I / You / We / They / plural take V1, do, have.
After do / does / did, the verb is always V1 (no s).
Wrong: Does he likes tea? Right: Does he like tea?
Wrong: He doesn't plays. Right: He doesn't play.
Normal verbs: add s. play, plays; eat, eats; write, writes.
Ends in s, ss, sh, ch, x, z, o: add es. pass, passes; wash, washes; teach, teaches; fix, fixes; go, goes; do, does.
Consonant + y: change y to ies. study, studies; cry, cries; fly, flies.
Vowel + y: just add s. play, plays; buy, buys; enjoy, enjoys.
Special: have, has.
Before the main verb: She always comes early. He never lies.
After am / is / are: She is always late. They are never absent.
Sometimes, usually and often can also come at the start: Sometimes I walk to school.
With am / is / are, do NOT use do / does. Negative: He is not late. Question: Is he late?
Wrong: Does she is happy? Right: Is she happy?
Modal verbs (can, must, should, may) never take s: He can swim.
Uncountable and singular nouns take s: Water boils. Milk is good. Everyone knows.
Plural nouns take V1: Children play. People think.
Two subjects joined by "and" are plural: Ram and Shyam play.
Step 1: See the clue (every day, always, usually).
Step 2: Check the subject. He/She/It add s/es. I/You/We/They use V1.
Step 3: If do/does is already there, use V1.
1) Rita reads a book every night. 2) They do not play football on Mondays. 3) Does he work in a bank? 4) Water freezes at 0°C. 5) My father never drinks coffee.
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
1) She ____ (go) to school every day.
2) They ____ (play) cricket on Sundays.
3) The sun ____ (rise) in the east.
4) He ____ (not/like) tea.
5) ____ you ____ (drink) milk daily?
6) My mother ____ (watch) TV in the evening.
7) Water ____ (boil) at 100°C.
8) I ____ (study) English every morning.
9) He ____ (have) a car.
10) Rita ____ (fly) kites in winter.
11) Cats ____ (not/bark).
12) ____ Ram ____ (come) here often?
13) The train ____ (leave) at 6 pm.
14) He always ____ (tell) the truth.
15) We ____ (not/watch) TV in the morning.
B. Correct the mistakes:
16) She go to college.
17) Does he likes tea?
18) He don't play cricket.
19) They doesn't know me.
20) I am go to school daily.
C. Choose the correct option:
21) Ram ____ in Kathmandu. (live / lives)
22) The Earth ____ round the sun. (move / moves)
23) My brothers ____ early. (wake / wakes)
24) She ____ never late. (is / does)
25) ____ the shop open at 9? (Do / Does)
A: 1) goes 2) play 3) rises 4) does not like 5) Do, drink 6) watches 7) boils 8) study 9) has 10) flies 11) do not bark 12) Does, come 13) leaves 14) tells 15) do not watch
B: 16) She goes to college. 17) Does he like tea? 18) He doesn't play cricket. 19) They don't know me. 20) I go to school daily.
C: 21) lives 22) moves 23) wake 24) is 25) Does
1) Revise the 50 verbs (V1, V2, V3). 2) Write 10 sentences about your daily routine. 3) Write the s/es form of: teach, carry, watch, buy, fix, study, go, play, pass, cry.
Answer to 3: teaches, carries, watches, buys, fixes, studies, goes, plays, passes, cries
Goal: Use Present Continuous correctly and spot it in any question in 2 seconds.
Happening right now: I am writing a letter.
Around now (temporary): She is staying with her uncle this month.
Changing situations: The weather is getting colder.
Fixed future plans: We are going to Pokhara tomorrow.
Annoying repeated habits (with always): He is always losing his keys.
now, right now, at the moment, at present, currently, today, this week, this month, nowadays, still, Look!, Listen!, Hurry up!, Be quiet!
Positive: Subject + am / is / are + V-ing
I am eating. | He, She, It is eating. | You, We, They are eating.
Negative: Subject + am / is / are + not + V-ing. I am not eating. | He is not eating.
Question: Am / Is / Are + Subject + V-ing ? Am I eating? | Is she eating? | Are they eating?
Wh- Question: What are you doing? | Where is he going?
The verb needs two parts: a be verb (am/is/are) and V-ing. Never use only one.
Wrong: She is write. Right: She is writing.
Wrong: They playing. Right: They are playing.
Wrong: He does eating. Right: He is eating.
Normal verbs: add ing. eat, eating; go, going; play, playing.
Ends in silent e: drop the e. write, writing; make, making; come, coming.
One syllable, consonant + vowel + consonant: double the last letter. run, running; sit, sitting; swim, swimming; stop, stopping.
Ends in ie: change ie to y. die, dying; lie, lying; tie, tying.
Ends in w, x, y: do not double. play, playing; fix, fixing; snow, snowing.
Ends in ee: just add ing. see, seeing; agree, agreeing.
State verbs use Present Simple, even with "now".
Feelings: like, love, hate, want, need, prefer. Thinking: know, believe, understand, remember, forget, think (opinion). Senses: see, hear, smell, taste, seem, appear. Possession: have (own), own, belong, contain.
Wrong: I am knowing him. Right: I know him.
Wrong: She is wanting water. Right: She wants water.
Note: "have" can take -ing when it means an action: He is having lunch. She is having a bath.
Simple = habit or fact: She drinks tea every day. Continuous = happening now: She is drinking tea now.
Short answers: Is he sleeping? Yes, he is. / No, he isn't.
Contractions: I'm, he's, she's, we're, they're, isn't, aren't.
Modals never take -ing. "Going to" for plans: I am going to buy a phone.
Step 1: See the clue (now, at the moment, Look!, Listen!).
Step 2: Pick the be verb. I: am | He/She/It: is | You/We/They: are.
Step 3: Add V-ing. Check spelling.
Step 4: If the verb is like/know/want/need, switch to Present Simple.
1) Look! The baby is sleeping. 2) Listen! Someone is knocking. 3) They are not watching TV now. 4) Are you coming to the party? 5) I am meeting my teacher tomorrow.
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
1) Look! It ____ (rain).
2) She ____ (cook) dinner at the moment.
3) They ____ (not/play) football now.
4) ____ you ____ (listen) to me?
5) I ____ (write) a letter right now.
6) The children ____ (run) in the garden.
7) He ____ (sit) on the bench.
8) Listen! Somebody ____ (sing).
9) What ____ you ____ (do) now?
10) My father ____ (read) a newspaper.
11) We ____ (go) to Pokhara next week.
12) The baby ____ (not/sleep) now.
13) Where ____ he ____ (go)?
14) I ____ (make) tea for you.
15) The students ____ (take) an exam today.
B. Correct the mistakes:
16) She is write a letter.
17) They playing cricket now.
18) I am knowing the answer.
19) He is runing fast.
20) Does she cooking now?
C. Choose the correct option:
21) Look! The bus ____. (comes / is coming)
22) I ____ this song. (like / am liking)
23) She usually ____ tea, but today she ____ coffee. (drinks, is drinking / is drinking, drinks)
24) ____ it raining now? (Do / Is)
25) He ____ a new phone. (wants / is wanting)
A: 1) is raining 2) is cooking 3) are not playing 4) Are, listening 5) am writing 6) are running 7) is sitting 8) is singing 9) are, doing 10) is reading 11) are going 12) is not sleeping 13) is, going 14) am making 15) are taking
B: 16) She is writing a letter. 17) They are playing cricket now. 18) I know the answer. 19) He is running fast. 20) Is she cooking now?
C: 21) is coming 22) like 23) drinks, is drinking 24) Is 25) wants
1) Revise Day 2 rules. 2) Write 10 sentences about what people around you are doing right now. 3) Write the -ing form of: swim, make, lie, plan, play, begin, write, stop, die, travel.
Answer to 3: swimming, making, lying, planning, playing, beginning, writing, stopping, dying, travelling
Goal: Use Present Perfect correctly and spot it in any question in 2 seconds.
Finished action, result visible now: I have cleaned my room. (It is clean now.)
Life experience (no exact time): She has visited Pokhara.
Recent action: They have just left.
Started in the past and continuing (with for/since): He has lived here since 2015.
Repeated actions up to now: I have seen this movie three times.
just, already, yet, ever, never, so far, till now, up to now, recently, lately, before, today, this week, this month, for, since, how long, several times
Never use it with: yesterday, ago, last week, in 2020, when (past). Those need Past Simple.
Positive: Subject + have / has + V3. I, You, We, They have eaten. | He, She, It has eaten.
Negative: Subject + have / has + not + V3. I have not eaten. | She has not eaten.
Question: Have / Has + Subject + V3 ? Have you eaten? | Has he eaten?
Wh- Question: What have you done? | Where has she gone?
After have / has, always use V3 (not V2, not V-ing).
Wrong: I have went. Right: I have gone.
Wrong: She has ate. Right: She has eaten.
Wrong: He have finished. Right: He has finished.
Wrong: Has she went? Right: Has she gone?
just = a moment ago: He has just arrived.
already = earlier than expected: I have already eaten.
yet = until now (questions, negatives, at the end): Have you finished yet? I have not finished yet.
ever = at any time (questions): Have you ever seen a tiger?
never = not at any time: I have never been abroad.
so far / till now = up to now: We have learnt 50 words so far.
For = a period: for 5 years, for two hours, for a long time. Since = a starting point: since 2010, since Monday, since morning, since 5 pm.
I have known him for ten years. = I have known him since 2016.
Trick: Can you count it (5 days, 2 years)? Use for. Is it a point on the calendar or clock (Monday, 2010, 5 pm)? Use since.
has/have been = went and came back: She has been to Japan. (She is back now.)
has/have gone = went and is still there: She has gone to Japan. (She is not here.)
Present Perfect = time not given, or time not finished: I have seen him today.
Past Simple = exact finished time: I saw him yesterday.
I have lost my pen. (I still don't have it.) I lost my pen last week.
Short answers: Have you eaten? Yes, I have. / No, I haven't.
Contractions: I've, you've, we've, they've, he's, she's, haven't, hasn't.
"It is the first time" pattern: It is the first time I have seen snow.
Step 1: See the clue (just, already, yet, ever, never, for, since, so far).
Step 2: I/You/We/They: have. He/She/It: has. Step 3: Put V3 after it.
Step 4: If you see yesterday, ago, last year, switch to Past Simple.
1) I have just finished my homework. 2) She has already left. 3) Have you ever eaten momo? 4) They have not come yet. 5) He has worked here since 2018.
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
1) I ____ (just/finish) my work.
2) She ____ (already/eat) lunch.
3) ____ you ever ____ (visit) Lumbini?
4) They ____ (not/come) yet.
5) He ____ (live) here for ten years.
6) We ____ (know) each other since 2015.
7) I ____ (never/see) a snake.
8) The train ____ (just/leave).
9) ____ she ____ (do) her homework yet?
10) My brother ____ (lose) his wallet.
11) How long ____ you ____ (study) English?
12) It ____ (not/rain) this month.
13) I ____ (read) five books so far.
14) She ____ (break) her phone.
15) They ____ (be) friends for a long time.
B. Correct the mistakes:
16) I have saw that movie.
17) She have gone to market.
18) He has lived here since five years.
19) Did you finish your work yet?
20) We have met him yesterday.
C. Choose the correct option:
21) I have known her ____ 2012. (for / since)
22) He has been sick ____ three days. (for / since)
23) She ____ to Delhi. She is not here now. (has been / has gone)
24) ____ you seen my keys? (Did / Have)
25) We ____ the match last Sunday. (have won / won)
A: 1) have just finished 2) has already eaten 3) Have, visited 4) have not come 5) has lived 6) have known 7) have never seen 8) has just left 9) Has, done 10) has lost 11) have, studied 12) has not rained 13) have read 14) has broken 15) have been
B: 16) I have seen that movie. 17) She has gone to market. 18) He has lived here for five years. 19) Have you finished your work yet? 20) We met him yesterday.
C: 21) since 22) for 23) has gone 24) Have 25) won
1) Revise Day 3. 2) Write 10 sentences about your life experiences using have/has + V3. 3) Fill in for or since: ___ Monday, ___ two weeks, ___ 2020, ___ an hour, ___ morning, ___ many years.
Answer to 3: since, for, since, for, since, for
Goal: Use Present Perfect Continuous correctly and spot it in any question in 2 seconds.
Started in the past, still going on now: I have been studying for two hours.
Just stopped, result visible now: Why are your clothes wet? It has been raining.
Repeated action over a period up to now: She has been calling me all day.
Focus on duration (how long): How long have you been waiting?
for, since, how long, all day, all morning, all week, all my life, lately, recently, these days, for a long time, the whole day, continuously
Positive: Subject + have / has + been + V-ing. I, You, We, They have been working. | He, She, It has been working.
Negative: Subject + have / has + not + been + V-ing. I have not been working. | She has not been working.
Question: Have / Has + Subject + been + V-ing ? Have you been working? | Has he been working?
Wh- Question: What have you been doing? | How long has she been waiting?
This tense has three parts: have/has + been + V-ing. Never skip "been".
Wrong: I have studying. Right: I have been studying.
Wrong: She has been study. Right: She has been studying.
Wrong: He have been waiting. Right: He has been waiting.
Perfect = result or number of times: I have written three letters.
Perfect Continuous = duration or activity: I have been writing letters all morning.
She has painted the wall. (Finished.) She has been painting the wall. (Activity going on, maybe not finished.)
Trick: "How many / how much" uses Perfect. "How long" uses Perfect Continuous.
For = period: for 3 hours, for 5 years. Since = starting point: since 6 am, since Monday, since 2019.
He has been driving for four hours. = He has been driving since morning.
know, like, love, want, need, have (own), believe, understand, belong use Present Perfect, not Continuous.
Wrong: I have been knowing him for years. Right: I have known him for years.
Wrong: She has been having a car since 2020. Right: She has had a car since 2020.
These work with both forms: live, work, stay, study, wait, learn, teach.
Short answers: Have you been waiting? Yes, I have. / No, I haven't.
Contractions: I've been, he's been, she's been, we've been, haven't been, hasn't been.
Without a time word: You look tired. Have you been working hard? (recent activity)
Step 1: See the clue (for, since, how long, all day).
Step 2: Is the verb an action (study, wait, play) and still going? Choose this tense.
Step 3: I/You/We/They: have been. He/She/It: has been. Step 4: Add V-ing.
Step 5: If the verb is know/like/want, use Present Perfect.
1) I have been waiting for you since 5 pm. 2) She has been learning English for two years. 3) They have not been playing well lately. 4) How long have you been living here? 5) It has been raining all day.
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
1) I ____ (wait) for you for an hour.
2) She ____ (study) since morning.
3) They ____ (play) cricket for three hours.
4) How long ____ you ____ (learn) English?
5) It ____ (rain) since last night.
6) He ____ (not/sleep) well lately.
7) We ____ (live) in Pokhara since 2018.
8) ____ she ____ (work) here for long?
9) The baby ____ (cry) all morning.
10) My father ____ (drive) for five hours.
11) What ____ you ____ (do) these days?
12) The students ____ (practise) for the exam all week.
13) I ____ (not/feel) well since Monday.
14) She ____ (teach) in this school for ten years.
15) You look tired. ____ you ____ (run)?
B. Correct the mistakes:
16) I have waiting for two hours.
17) She has been work here since 2015.
18) They have been play since morning.
19) He have been studying for 3 hours.
20) I have been knowing him for years.
C. Choose the correct option:
21) How long ____ you ____ here? (have, lived / have, been living)
22) She ____ three cups of tea today. (has drunk / has been drinking)
23) I ____ English for two years. (study / have been studying)
24) He ____ this phone since 2022. (has been owning / has owned)
25) We ____ for the bus for half an hour. (wait / have been waiting)
A: 1) have been waiting 2) has been studying 3) have been playing 4) have, been learning 5) has been raining 6) has not been sleeping 7) have been living 8) Has, been working 9) has been crying 10) has been driving 11) have, been doing 12) have been practising 13) have not been feeling (or: have not felt) 14) has been teaching 15) Have, been running
B: 16) I have been waiting for two hours. 17) She has been working here since 2015. 18) They have been playing since morning. 19) He has been studying for 3 hours. 20) I have known him for years.
C: 21) have, been living 22) has drunk 23) have been studying 24) has owned 25) have been waiting
1) Revise Day 4. 2) Write 10 sentences using have/has been + V-ing. 3) Make "How long" questions: (you, wait), (she, live here), (they, play), (he, work), (it, rain).
Answer to 3: How long have you been waiting? | How long has she been living here? | How long have they been playing? | How long has he been working? | How long has it been raining?
Goal: Tell all 4 present tenses apart in 2 seconds and solve 50 mixed questions.
She writes letters. (habit)
She is writing a letter. (right now)
She has written a letter. (finished, result now)
She has been writing a letter for an hour. (duration)
I: am, have, V1, do.
He / She / It / singular noun: is, has, V1+s/es, does.
You / We / They / plural noun: are, have, V1, do.
1. After do/does: V1 (no s). Does he like...?
2. After have/has: V3. She has gone.
3. After am/is/are: V-ing. They are playing.
4. Never skip "been" in Perfect Continuous.
5. State verbs (know, like, want, need, love, believe) take no -ing. I know him.
6. yesterday, ago, last year: Past Simple, never Present Perfect.
7. For = period (3 days). Since = starting point (Monday).
8. How many / how much: Perfect. How long: Perfect Continuous.
9. Be verb questions: Is she happy? (not Does she is happy?)
10. Modals never take s or -ing: He can swim.
Step 1: Read the clue word (always / now / just / since).
Step 2: Pick the tense using the clue chart.
Step 3: Check the subject (I / he / they) and fix the helping verb.
No clue? Check the meaning: habit = Simple | now = Continuous | result = Perfect | how long = Perfect Continuous.
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form (1 to 20):
1) The sun ____ (set) in the west.
2) Look! The children ____ (play) in the park.
3) I ____ (know) her since 2015.
4) He ____ (wait) for the bus for 30 minutes.
5) My mother ____ (cook) dinner at the moment.
6) They ____ (just/reach) the station.
7) Ram ____ (not/eat) meat.
8) ____ you ____ (see) my phone?
9) It ____ (rain) for three days.
10) We ____ (usually/watch) TV at night.
11) She ____ (not/finish) her homework yet.
12) Listen! Someone ____ (knock) at the door.
13) Water ____ (freeze) at 0°C.
14) I ____ (read) this book for two hours.
15) He ____ (never/tell) a lie.
16) What ____ you ____ (do) now?
17) The shop ____ (open) at 9 am every day.
18) My sister ____ (learn) dance since childhood.
19) ____ she ____ (like) coffee?
20) Look! They ____ (build) a new house.
B. Choose the correct option (21 to 35):
21) He ____ to school by bus daily. (go / goes)
22) I ____ my homework. Now I am free. (finish / have finished / am finishing)
23) Be quiet! The baby ____. (sleeps / is sleeping / has slept)
24) He ____ in this office since 2010. (works / is working / has been working)
25) How long ____ you ____ for me? (are, waiting / have, been waiting / do, wait)
26) I ____ a new phone. (am wanting / want / have been wanting)
27) ____ he ever ____ to Japan? (Did, go / Has, been / Is, going)
28) My uncle ____ in a bank. (work / works / is work)
29) She ____ for two hours. Her eyes are red. (cries / has been crying / is cry)
30) They ____ their dinner yet. (did not finish / have not finished / are not finishing)
31) The Earth ____ around the sun. (moves / is moving / has moved)
32) I ____ you since morning. (am calling / call / have been calling)
33) She ____ three letters so far. (writes / has written / has been writing)
34) Look! He ____ a car. (drives / is driving / has driven)
35) ____ you ____ breakfast every day? (Do, have / Are, having / Have, had)
C. Correct the mistakes (36 to 45):
36) She go to market daily.
37) I am knowing him well.
38) He have finished his work.
39) They has been playing since morning.
40) Does she working now?
41) I am waiting for you since 5 pm.
42) We have seen him yesterday.
43) He doesn't likes tea.
44) She has been wrote a letter.
45) Have you eat lunch?
D. Name the tense (46 to 50):
46) She has been cooking since 5 pm.
47) They play cricket on Sundays.
48) I have already eaten.
49) He is reading a novel now.
50) It has been snowing all night.
A: 1) sets 2) are playing 3) have known 4) has been waiting 5) is cooking 6) have just reached 7) does not eat 8) Have, seen 9) has been raining 10) usually watch 11) has not finished 12) is knocking 13) freezes 14) have been reading 15) has never told 16) are, doing 17) opens 18) has been learning 19) Does, like 20) are building
B: 21) goes 22) have finished 23) is sleeping 24) has been working 25) have, been waiting 26) want 27) Has, been 28) works 29) has been crying 30) have not finished 31) moves 32) have been calling 33) has written 34) is driving 35) Do, have
C: 36) She goes to market daily. 37) I know him well. 38) He has finished his work. 39) They have been playing since morning. 40) Is she working now? 41) I have been waiting for you since 5 pm. 42) We saw him yesterday. 43) He doesn't like tea. 44) She has been writing a letter. 45) Have you eaten lunch?
D: 46) Present Perfect Continuous 47) Present Simple 48) Present Perfect 49) Present Continuous 50) Present Perfect Continuous
45 to 50: Hero level. Move ahead. 35 to 44: Good. Revise the questions you missed. Below 35: Re-read Day 2 to Day 5, then try again.
1) Learn the master chart and clue chart by heart. 2) Write one sentence in all 4 tenses for each verb: eat, work, study. 3) Revise all 50 verbs (V1, V2, V3) once more, because Past Tenses start tomorrow.
Goal: Use Past Simple correctly and spot it in any question in 2 seconds.
Finished action at a fixed time in the past: I met him yesterday.
Past habits: We played cricket every evening when we were kids.
A series of past actions (story): He woke up, brushed his teeth and left home.
Past states: She was sick last week.
Historical facts: Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest in 1953.
yesterday, ago, last night, last week, last year, in 2020, in the past, once, then, just now, the other day, at that time, when (past), long ago, one day
Positive: Subject + V2. I ate. | She ate. | They ate. (V2 is the same for every subject.)
Negative: Subject + did not (didn't) + V1. I did not eat. | He did not eat.
Question: Did + Subject + V1 ? Did you eat? | Did she eat?
Wh- Question: Where did you go? | What did he say?
V2 is used only in positive sentences. After did / did not, the verb goes back to V1.
Wrong: Did you went? Right: Did you go?
Wrong: She didn't came. Right: She didn't come.
Wrong: He goed home. Right: He went home.
Wrong: I didn't saw him. Right: I didn't see him.
Normal verbs: add ed. work, worked; play, played; watch, watched.
Ends in e: add only d. live, lived; love, loved; like, liked.
Consonant + y: change y to ied. study, studied; cry, cried; try, tried.
Vowel + y: just add ed. play, played; enjoy, enjoyed; stay, stayed.
One syllable, consonant + vowel + consonant: double the last letter. stop, stopped; plan, planned; drop, dropped.
Irregular verbs: learn the V2 list from Day 1 (go, went; eat, ate; buy, bought).
I, He, She, It, singular: was. You, We, They, plural: were.
Negative: He was not (wasn't) late. | They were not (weren't) at home. Question: Was she ill? | Were you there?
With was/were, do NOT use did. Wrong: Did she was ill? Right: Was she ill?
Past Simple = exact finished time: I saw him yesterday. Present Perfect = time not given, result now: I have seen him.
She lived in Delhi for five years. (She does not live there now.) She has lived in Delhi for five years. (She still lives there.)
Wrong: I have met him last week. Right: I met him last week.
Short answers: Did you call? Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.
Used to + V1 = a past habit that stopped: I used to play football. Negative/Question: I didn't use to smoke. Did you use to play?
"Ago" always goes with Past Simple: She left two hours ago.
Same V1, V2, V3: put, cut, hit, let, cost, read (said "red" in V2/V3).
/t/ sound: worked, stopped, watched, helped. /d/ sound: played, called, lived, opened. /id/ sound: wanted, needed, started, decided (verbs ending in t or d).
Step 1: See the clue (yesterday, ago, last week, in 2020).
Step 2: Is there did / did not / Did in the sentence? Use V1.
Step 3: No did? Use V2 (was/were for the be verb).
Step 4: Fixed past time with have/has? Wrong. Switch to V2.
1) I visited my uncle last Sunday. 2) She did not attend the class yesterday. 3) Did they win the match? 4) We were in Kathmandu in 2022. 5) He bought a new phone two days ago.
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
1) She ____ (go) to the market yesterday.
2) They ____ (play) football last Sunday.
3) I ____ (not/see) him yesterday.
4) ____ you ____ (watch) the match last night?
5) He ____ (buy) a bike two years ago.
6) We ____ (visit) Pokhara in 2019.
7) The teacher ____ (not/come) to class yesterday.
8) What ____ she ____ (say)?
9) My father ____ (write) a letter last week.
10) The baby ____ (cry) loudly last night.
11) I ____ (study) hard last year.
12) ____ he ____ (break) the window?
13) They ____ (not/win) the game.
14) She ____ (drink) milk this morning.
15) We ____ (eat) momo yesterday.
B. Correct the mistakes:
16) She goed to school.
17) Did he went there?
18) I didn't saw him.
19) They was happy.
20) He buyed a pen.
C. Choose the correct option:
21) I ____ him last week. (meet / met)
22) She ____ at home yesterday. (was / were)
23) ____ you call me last night? (Do / Did)
24) He ____ the exam in 2020. (passed / has passed)
25) They ____ not at school yesterday. (was / were)
A: 1) went 2) played 3) did not see 4) Did, watch 5) bought 6) visited 7) did not come 8) did, say 9) wrote 10) cried 11) studied 12) Did, break 13) did not win 14) drank 15) ate
B: 16) She went to school. 17) Did he go there? 18) I didn't see him. 19) They were happy. 20) He bought a pen.
C: 21) met 22) was 23) Did 24) passed 25) were
1) Revise all 4 present tenses. 2) Write 10 sentences about what you did yesterday. 3) Write V2 of: stop, carry, enjoy, plan, live, cry, drop, stay, try, fix.
Answer to 3: stopped, carried, enjoyed, planned, lived, cried, dropped, stayed, tried, fixed
Goal: Use Past Continuous correctly and spot it in any question in 2 seconds.
Action in progress at a particular past time: At 8 pm yesterday, I was watching TV.
Long action interrupted by a short action: I was walking home when it started to rain.
Two actions going on together: While she was cooking, he was cleaning.
Background of a story: The sun was shining and the birds were singing.
Annoying past habit (with always): He was always forgetting his books.
while, when, as, at 5 pm yesterday, at that time, this time yesterday, all day yesterday, the whole evening, from 2 to 4, all night, at midnight, when I called, when I reached
Positive: Subject + was / were + V-ing. I, He, She, It was eating. | You, We, They were eating.
Negative: I was not (wasn't) eating. | They were not (weren't) eating.
Question: Was / Were + Subject + V-ing ? Was she eating? | Were they eating?
Wh- Question: What were you doing? | Where was he going?
Two parts: was/were + V-ing. Never use only one part, and never use did.
Wrong: She was write. Right: She was writing.
Wrong: They was playing. Right: They were playing.
Wrong: Did he sleeping? Right: Was he sleeping?
Wrong: I playing at 5 pm. Right: I was playing at 5 pm.
While / As + Past Continuous (long action). When + Past Simple (short action).
I was sleeping when the phone rang. = While I was sleeping, the phone rang.
Two long actions together: While I was reading, my brother was playing.
Past Simple = complete action: I read a book yesterday. (Finished.)
Past Continuous = action in progress: I was reading a book at 9 pm. (Not finished.)
When she came in, I switched off the TV. (First she came, then I switched off.) When she came in, I was watching TV. (I was already watching.)
write, writing | run, running | lie, lying | play, playing | make, making | swim, swimming | travel, travelling
know, like, love, hate, want, need, believe, understand, remember, belong, seem use Past Simple.
Wrong: I was knowing him. Right: I knew him. Wrong: She was wanting water. Right: She wanted water.
Short answers: Was he sleeping? Yes, he was. / No, he wasn't.
Modals never take -ing. Only the first action needs was/were: She was cooking and singing.
Step 1: See the clue (while, at 5 pm yesterday, at that time, this time yesterday).
Step 2: I/He/She/It: was | You/We/They: were. Step 3: Add V-ing.
Step 4: The short action after "when" stays in Past Simple.
Step 5: If the verb is know/like/want, use Past Simple.
1) At 7 pm yesterday, we were having dinner. 2) She was talking on the phone when I came. 3) They were not playing at that time. 4) What were you doing at midnight? 5) While he was driving, he saw an accident.
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
1) At 8 pm yesterday, I ____ (watch) TV.
2) She ____ (cook) when I reached home.
3) They ____ (not/play) at that time.
4) What ____ you ____ (do) at 6 pm yesterday?
5) While he ____ (read), the light went out.
6) I ____ (walk) to school when it started to rain.
7) The children ____ (sleep) when the phone rang.
8) ____ she ____ (study) at that time?
9) While my mother was cooking, my father ____ (clean) the house.
10) It ____ (rain) all day yesterday.
11) He ____ (drive) fast when the police stopped him.
12) We ____ (not/listen) to the teacher.
13) This time yesterday, I ____ (travel) to Pokhara.
14) The boy fell while he ____ (run).
15) When I called, they ____ (have) dinner.
B. Correct the mistakes:
16) She was write a letter.
17) They was playing cricket.
18) I was knowing the answer.
19) While I was walking, I see a snake.
20) Was they sleeping?
C. Choose the correct option:
21) I ____ TV when you called. (watched / was watching)
22) While I was reading, my brother ____ music. (listened / was listening)
23) We ____ dinner when the lights went off. (had / were having)
24) ____ you sleeping at 10 pm? (Was / Were)
25) I ____ him well at that time. (was knowing / knew)
A: 1) was watching 2) was cooking 3) were not playing 4) were, doing 5) was reading 6) was walking 7) were sleeping 8) Was, studying 9) was cleaning 10) was raining 11) was driving 12) were not listening 13) was travelling 14) was running 15) were having
B: 16) She was writing a letter. 17) They were playing cricket. 18) I knew the answer. 19) While I was walking, I saw a snake. 20) Were they sleeping?
C: 21) was watching 22) was listening 23) were having 24) Were 25) knew
1) Revise Day 7. 2) Write 10 sentences about what you were doing at different times yesterday. 3) Join with while or when: (I / sleep) (phone / ring), (she / cook) (guests / arrive), (they / play) (rain / start).
Answer to 3: I was sleeping when the phone rang. | She was cooking when the guests arrived. | They were playing when the rain started.
Goal: Use Past Perfect correctly and spot it in any question in 2 seconds.
The earlier of two past actions: The train had left before I reached the station.
Action completed before a fixed past time: She had finished her work by 5 pm.
Reason for a past situation: He failed because he had not studied.
Reported speech: He said that he had seen the movie.
Unreal past (wishes, if): If I had known, I would have come. | I wish I had studied.
before, after, by the time, already, just, never (before), when, until, till, as soon as, by 5 pm yesterday, by that time, no sooner... than, hardly... when, scarcely... when, once
Positive: Subject + had + V3. I had eaten. | She had eaten. | They had eaten. (had is the same for every subject.)
Negative: Subject + had not (hadn't) + V3. I had not eaten. | He had not eaten.
Question: Had + Subject + V3 ? Had you eaten? | Had she eaten?
Wh- Question: What had he done? | Where had they gone?
After had, always use V3 (not V2, not V1).
Wrong: I had went. Right: I had gone.
Wrong: She had ate. Right: She had eaten.
Wrong: Had he came? Right: Had he come?
Wrong: They has finished. Right: They had finished.
The earlier action: Past Perfect (had + V3). The later action: Past Simple (V2).
When I reached the station, the train had left. (The train left first.)
She had cooked dinner before the guests arrived. (Cooking came first.)
Trick: Ask "Which happened first?" That one gets had + V3.
Before: The patient had died before the doctor came.
After: After he had finished his work, he went home.
In both sentences: earlier action = had + V3, later action = V2.
Note: If the order is clear, Past Simple is also accepted (After he finished his work, he went home), but in exams with options, choose Past Perfect.
Present Perfect is connected to now: I have lost my pen. (Still lost.)
Past Perfect is connected to a past time: I had lost my pen before I reached school.
He has just left. | He had just left when I arrived.
No sooner... than: No sooner had he arrived than it started to rain.
Hardly / Scarcely... when: Hardly had she sat down when the phone rang.
By the time + Past Simple: By the time I woke up, he had left.
Short answers: Had he left? Yes, he had. / No, he hadn't. Contractions: I'd, he'd, she'd, we'd, they'd, hadn't.
If + Past Perfect, would have + V3 (impossible past): If I had studied, I would have passed.
Wish + Past Perfect (regret about the past): I wish I had listened to my teacher.
Step 1: See the clue (before, after, by the time, already, no sooner).
Step 2: Find two past actions. Which one happened first?
Step 3: Put had + V3 on the earlier action. Step 4: Keep the later action in Past Simple.
1) I had finished my homework before my father came. 2) She had not eaten anything, so she was hungry. 3) Had they left when you reached? 4) By the time we arrived, the match had started. 5) He said that he had seen the thief.
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
1) The train ____ (leave) before I reached the station.
2) She ____ (already/eat) when I called.
3) They ____ (not/finish) the work by 5 pm.
4) ____ you ____ (see) the movie before?
5) After he ____ (complete) his study, he went abroad.
6) I ____ (never/visit) Pokhara before 2022.
7) The patient ____ (die) before the doctor came.
8) By the time I woke up, my brother ____ (leave).
9) When we reached the hall, the show ____ (begin).
10) She said that she ____ (lose) her purse.
11) He was tired because he ____ (work) all day.
12) No sooner ____ he ____ (arrive) than it started to rain.
13) If I ____ (know) the truth, I would have told you.
14) I wish I ____ (study) harder.
15) The students ____ (already/go) home when the teacher came.
B. Correct the mistakes:
16) I had went to market before he came.
17) She has finished her work before I came.
18) Had he came?
19) After he has eaten, he slept.
20) They had not saw the film.
C. Choose the correct option:
21) When I reached, the bus ____. (left / had left)
22) She ____ the lesson before the teacher explained. (read / had read)
23) He ____ dinner when I called. (already had / had already had)
24) By the time I arrived, they ____. (went / had gone)
25) I ____ him yesterday. (met / had met)
A: 1) had left 2) had already eaten 3) had not finished 4) Had, seen 5) had completed 6) had never visited 7) had died 8) had left 9) had begun 10) had lost 11) had worked 12) had, arrived 13) had known 14) had studied 15) had already gone
B: 16) I had gone to market before he came. 17) She had finished her work before I came. 18) Had he come? 19) After he had eaten, he slept. 20) They had not seen the film.
C: 21) had left 22) had read 23) had already had 24) had gone 25) met
1) Revise Day 8. 2) Revise V3 of all 50 verbs (very important today). 3) Join using Past Perfect: (I / eat) (he / come), (she / finish) (we / reach), (they / leave) (I / call).
Answer to 3: I had eaten before he came. | She had finished before we reached. | They had left before I called.
Goal: Use Past Perfect Continuous correctly and spot it in any question in 2 seconds.
Duration of an action before another past action: I had been waiting for an hour when the bus came.
Cause of a past situation: Her eyes were red because she had been crying.
Action continuing up to a point in the past: By 2020, he had been teaching for ten years.
Reported speech: She said she had been working since morning.
for, since, how long, all day, all morning, before, when, by the time, until, for hours, for a long time, since morning (with a past event)
Positive: Subject + had been + V-ing. I had been working. | She had been working. | They had been working.
Negative: Subject + had not (hadn't) been + V-ing. I had not been working.
Question: Had + Subject + been + V-ing ? Had you been working? | Had she been working?
Wh- Question: How long had you been waiting? | What had he been doing?
Three parts: had + been + V-ing. Never skip "been" and never use has/have.
Wrong: I had waiting. Right: I had been waiting.
Wrong: She had been wait. Right: She had been waiting.
Wrong: He has been waiting (when I came). Right: He had been waiting.
Past Perfect = result or completion: She had written three letters.
Past Perfect Continuous = duration or activity: She had been writing letters all morning.
Trick: "How many / how much" uses Past Perfect. "How long" uses Past Perfect Continuous.
Present Perfect Continuous (up to now): I have been waiting for an hour. (Still waiting.)
Past Perfect Continuous (up to a past moment): I had been waiting for an hour when he arrived.
Only the helping verb changes: have/has becomes had.
For = period: for 3 hours, for 5 years. Since = starting point: since morning, since 2018.
He had been living there for ten years when he moved. | She had been working there since 2015 when she resigned.
know, like, love, want, need, believe, understand, have (own) use Past Perfect.
Wrong: I had been knowing him for years. Right: I had known him for years.
Short answers: Had you been sleeping? Yes, I had. / No, I hadn't.
Contractions: I'd been, he'd been, they'd been, hadn't been.
Two past actions: The longer, earlier action uses had been + V-ing. The later action uses Past Simple.
He had been driving for six hours when he felt sleepy.
Step 1: See the clue (for, since, how long) with a past event.
Step 2: Is the verb an action (study, wait, play, work)? Yes, continue.
Step 3: Write had been + V-ing for the earlier, longer action. Step 4: Keep the later action in Past Simple.
Step 5: If the verb is know/like/want, use Past Perfect.
1) I had been studying for two hours when the light went off. 2) She had not been sleeping well, so she looked tired. 3) How long had they been waiting when the bus came? 4) The ground was wet because it had been raining. 5) He had been working there since 2015 when he resigned.
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
1) I ____ (wait) for an hour when the bus came.
2) She ____ (study) since morning when I called her.
3) They ____ (play) for two hours before it started to rain.
4) How long ____ you ____ (live) there before you moved?
5) His eyes were red because he ____ (cry).
6) The ground was wet. It ____ (rain).
7) We ____ (not/sleep) well, so we felt tired.
8) ____ he ____ (work) there for long when he resigned?
9) My mother ____ (cook) for three hours when the guests arrived.
10) The boys were dirty because they ____ (play) in the mud.
11) She said she ____ (learn) English for five years.
12) He ____ (drive) for six hours when he felt sleepy.
13) The teacher ____ (teach) for two hours when the bell rang.
14) I ____ (not/feel) well for a week before I saw a doctor.
15) What ____ they ____ (do) before you came?
B. Correct the mistakes:
16) I had waiting for two hours.
17) She had been work since morning.
18) He has been sleeping when I came.
19) They had been knowing him for years.
20) Had you been wait long?
C. Choose the correct option:
21) She was tired because she ____ all day. (worked / had been working)
22) I ____ three letters before he came. (had written / had been writing)
23) How long ____ you ____ when he arrived? (had, waited / had, been waiting)
24) He ____ in Delhi since 2010 when he left. (had lived / had been living)
25) I ____ him for years when we met. (had been knowing / had known)
A: 1) had been waiting 2) had been studying 3) had been playing 4) had, been living 5) had been crying 6) had been raining 7) had not been sleeping 8) Had, been working 9) had been cooking 10) had been playing 11) had been learning 12) had been driving 13) had been teaching 14) had not been feeling 15) had, been doing
B: 16) I had been waiting for two hours. 17) She had been working since morning. 18) He had been sleeping when I came. 19) They had known him for years. 20) Had you been waiting long?
C: 21) had been working 22) had written 23) had, been waiting 24) had been living (or: had lived) 25) had known
1) Revise Day 9. 2) Write 10 sentences using had been + V-ing with a reason (because...). 3) Make "How long" questions: (you, wait), (she, study), (they, play), (he, drive), (it, rain).
Answer to 3: How long had you been waiting? | How long had she been studying? | How long had they been playing? | How long had he been driving? | How long had it been raining?
Goal: Tell all 4 past tenses apart in 2 seconds, and never mix up Present Perfect and Past Simple again.
She wrote a letter yesterday. (finished, fixed time)
She was writing a letter at 5 pm. (in progress)
She had written the letter before I came. (earlier action)
She had been writing letters for an hour when I came. (duration)
Past Simple = the time is finished and known: I saw him yesterday. | She left two hours ago. | They won in 2019.
Present Perfect = time not given, or linked to now: I have seen him. | She has left. | They have won three times.
Present Perfect clues: just, already, yet, ever, never, so far, recently, today, this week, for, since.
Past Simple clues: yesterday, ago, last night, in 2020, when (past question), then.
Wrong: I have met him yesterday. Right: I met him yesterday.
Wrong: Did you finish yet? Right: Have you finished yet?
Wrong: When have you come? Right: When did you come?
She lived in Delhi for five years. (She does not live there now.) She has lived in Delhi for five years. (She still lives there.)
I lost my pen last week. (Time is fixed.) I have lost my pen. (I still don't have it.)
Two past actions: the earlier = had + V3, the later = V2.
When I reached the station, the train had left. | When I reached the station, the train left. (It left after I reached.)
1. After did / did not: V1. 2. After had: V3. 3. After was/were: V-ing.
4. Never skip "been" in Past Perfect Continuous. 5. State verbs (know, like, want, need) take no -ing.
6. yesterday, ago, last year: Past Simple, never Present Perfect. 7. While + Continuous. When + Simple (short action).
8. How many / how much: Perfect. How long: Perfect Continuous. 9. was with I/he/she/it. were with you/we/they. 10. had is the same for every subject.
Step 1: Read the clue word (yesterday / while / before / for).
Step 2: Is there a fixed past time? Past Simple.
Step 3: Two past actions? The earlier one gets Past Perfect.
Step 4: "In progress" is Past Continuous. "How long before" is Past Perfect Continuous.
No past time word and a link to now? Present Perfect.
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form (1 to 20):
1) I ____ (see) him yesterday.
2) I ____ (already/see) him.
3) She ____ (cook) when I reached home.
4) The train ____ (leave) before we reached the station.
5) He ____ (wait) for two hours when the bus finally came.
6) We ____ (know) each other since 2010.
7) She ____ (not/come) to class last Monday.
8) ____ you ever ____ (eat) momo?
9) While I ____ (walk), I saw a snake.
10) When I called, they ____ (have) dinner.
11) He ____ (lose) his wallet. He can't find it now.
12) The ground was wet because it ____ (rain).
13) I ____ (finish) my homework two hours ago.
14) By the time she arrived, we ____ (eat) everything.
15) What ____ you ____ (do) at 8 pm yesterday?
16) My uncle ____ (visit) Japan in 2018.
17) She is tired. She ____ (study) since morning.
18) ____ he ____ (finish) the work yet?
19) After they ____ (finish) dinner, they watched TV.
20) The baby ____ (cry) all night, so we were tired.
B. Choose the correct option (21 to 35):
21) I ____ him last week. (have met / met)
22) I ____ him twice this week. (met / have met)
23) She ____ in Pokhara for five years. She moved to Kathmandu last month. (lived / has lived)
24) She ____ in Pokhara for five years. She still lives there. (lived / has lived)
25) He ____ TV when the light went off. (watched / was watching)
26) When I reached the hall, the show ____. (began / had begun)
27) How long ____ you ____ for me? (did, wait / have, been waiting)
28) Ram ____ his keys. Now he can't enter. (lost / has lost)
29) She ____ since 5 pm when I came. (was cooking / had been cooking)
30) I ____ English at 10 am yesterday. (studied / was studying)
31) Did you ____ the film? (see / saw)
32) They ____ the match in 2019. (won / have won)
33) She ____ already when I called. (has left / had left)
34) He ____ a lie until that day. (never told / had never told)
35) I ____ him since Monday. (didn't see / haven't seen)
C. Correct the mistakes (36 to 45):
36) I have seen him yesterday.
37) She had went before I came.
38) Did you went to school?
39) They was playing when I came.
40) He has been wait for an hour.
41) After he has finished, he left.
42) I didn't saw her.
43) She have lived here since 2010.
44) While I walked, it started to rain.
45) They had been knowing him for years.
D. Name the tense (46 to 50):
46) She was reading a book.
47) I had finished my work.
48) He had been sleeping for hours.
49) They visited Pokhara last year.
50) We have already eaten.
A: 1) saw 2) have already seen 3) was cooking 4) had left 5) had been waiting 6) have known 7) did not come 8) Have, eaten 9) was walking 10) were having 11) has lost 12) had been raining 13) finished 14) had eaten 15) were, doing 16) visited 17) has been studying 18) Has, finished 19) had finished 20) had been crying
B: 21) met 22) have met 23) lived 24) has lived 25) was watching 26) had begun 27) have, been waiting 28) has lost 29) had been cooking 30) was studying 31) see 32) won 33) had left 34) had never told 35) haven't seen
C: 36) I saw him yesterday. 37) She had gone before I came. 38) Did you go to school? 39) They were playing when I came. 40) He has been waiting for an hour. 41) After he had finished, he left. 42) I didn't see her. 43) She has lived here since 2010. 44) While I was walking, it started to rain. 45) They had known him for years.
D: 46) Past Continuous 47) Past Perfect 48) Past Perfect Continuous 49) Past Simple 50) Present Perfect
45 to 50: Hero level. Move ahead. 35 to 44: Good. Revise the questions you missed. Below 35: Re-read Day 7 to Day 10, then try again.
1) Learn the master chart and clue chart by heart. 2) Write one sentence in all 4 past tenses for each verb: eat, study, wait. 3) Choose Present Perfect or Past Simple: I (see) him just now / I (see) him today / I (see) him last night.
Answer to 3: I saw him just now. | I have seen him today. | I saw him last night.
4) Future tenses start tomorrow. Revise "will + V1" and the helping verbs (will, shall, be).
Goal: Use Future Simple correctly and spot it in any question in 2 seconds.
Sudden decision (made at the moment of speaking): The phone is ringing. I will answer it.
Prediction (opinion, no clear proof): I think India will win.
Promise or offer: I will help you. | I will call you tonight.
Future facts: Tomorrow will be Sunday.
Request or warning: Will you open the door? | Be careful, you will fall.
tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, soon, later, tonight, in two days, in the future, someday, one day, in 2030, I think, I hope, I believe, probably, perhaps
Positive: Subject + will / shall + V1. I will go. | He will go. | They will go. (will is the same for every subject.)
Negative: Subject + will not (won't) + V1. I will not go. | She will not go.
Question: Will + Subject + V1 ? Will you go? | Will she go?
Wh- Question: Where will you go? | What will he do?
After will / shall, always use V1 (no s, no ed, no ing).
Wrong: She will goes. Right: She will go.
Wrong: I will went. Right: I will go.
Wrong: He will going. Right: He will go.
Wrong: Will she comes? Right: Will she come?
Shall is used with I / We in questions, offers and suggestions: Shall I open the window? | Shall we go for a walk?
Will is used with every subject.
Old exam rule (may appear in MCQs): Simple future: I / We take shall; others take will. Command, promise, threat: I / We take will; others take shall.
Example: You shall get a prize. (promise) | He shall be punished. (threat)
Will = sudden decision, prediction without proof, promise: I'm thirsty. I will get some water.
Going to = plan already made, or prediction with proof: I am going to buy a bike next month. | Look at the clouds! It is going to rain.
Formula: Subject + am / is / are + going to + V1.
After if, when, before, after, as soon as, until, unless, while, use Present Simple, NOT will.
Wrong: If it will rain, I will stay home. Right: If it rains, I will stay home.
Wrong: I will call you when I will reach. Right: I will call you when I reach.
Wrong: We will wait until he will come. Right: We will wait until he comes.
Rule: will is used in the main clause only.
Present Continuous (fixed plan): I am meeting him tomorrow.
Present Simple (timetable): The train leaves at 6 pm.
Be about to: The movie is about to start. (very soon)
Short answers: Will you come? Yes, I will. / No, I won't.
Contractions: I'll, you'll, he'll, she'll, we'll, they'll, won't, shan't.
Modals are not used with will: Wrong: I will can go. Right: I will be able to go.
Be verb: I will be happy. | She will be a doctor.
Step 1: See the clue (tomorrow, next week, soon, I think).
Step 2: Write will (or shall for I/we in old MCQs). Step 3: Add V1.
Step 4: If you see if / when / before / until with a future meaning, use Present Simple in that clause.
1) I will call you tomorrow. 2) She will not attend the meeting. 3) Will they come to the party? 4) If you work hard, you will pass. 5) Where will you go next summer?
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
1) I ____ (call) you tomorrow.
2) She ____ (not/come) to the party.
3) ____ you ____ (help) me?
4) They ____ (visit) Pokhara next month.
5) It ____ (rain) tomorrow, I think.
6) What ____ he ____ (do) after school?
7) If it rains, we ____ (stay) at home.
8) I ____ (be) a doctor one day.
9) The teacher ____ (give) us a test next week.
10) He ____ (not/forget) your birthday.
11) Wait here. I ____ (bring) some water.
12) When I ____ (reach) home, I will call you.
13) Look at the sky! It ____ (rain). (going to)
14) We ____ (buy) a new car next year. (going to, plan)
15) ____ I ____ (open) the window? (shall)
B. Correct the mistakes:
16) She will goes to school.
17) I will went there tomorrow.
18) If it will rain, I will stay at home.
19) Will he comes tomorrow?
20) They will not came.
C. Choose the correct option:
21) I ____ you tomorrow. (call / will call)
22) We will wait until he ____. (comes / will come)
23) Look! That boy ____ fall. (will / is going to)
24) ____ I carry your bag? (Will / Shall)
25) I ____ buy a phone next month. I have saved money. (will / am going to)
A: 1) will call 2) will not come 3) Will, help 4) will visit 5) will rain 6) will, do 7) will stay 8) will be 9) will give 10) will not forget 11) will bring 12) reach 13) is going to rain 14) are going to buy 15) Shall, open
B: 16) She will go to school. 17) I will go there tomorrow. 18) If it rains, I will stay at home. 19) Will he come tomorrow? 20) They will not come.
C: 21) will call 22) comes 23) is going to 24) Shall 25) am going to
1) Revise Day 11. 2) Write 10 sentences about your plans and predictions for next week using will. 3) Correct these: (a) If he will come, I will go. (b) I will call you when he will arrive. (c) She will not goes.
Answer to 3: (a) If he comes, I will go. (b) I will call you when he arrives. (c) She will not go.
Goal: Use both tenses correctly and tell them apart in 2 seconds.
Action in progress at a future time: This time tomorrow, I will be flying to Delhi.
Planned or expected future action: He will be coming to the party.
Polite questions: Will you be using the car tonight?
Two actions together in the future: I will be cooking while you will be cleaning.
this time tomorrow, at 5 pm tomorrow, tomorrow morning, next week at this time, all day tomorrow, at 8 tonight, when you come, from 2 to 4 tomorrow, at midnight
Positive: Subject + will be + V-ing. I will be sleeping. | She will be sleeping. | They will be sleeping.
Negative: Subject + will not (won't) be + V-ing. I will not be sleeping.
Question: Will + Subject + be + V-ing ? Will you be sleeping? | Will he be working?
Wh- Question: What will you be doing at 6 pm tomorrow?
Three parts: will + be + V-ing. Never skip "be".
Wrong: She will sleeping. Right: She will be sleeping.
Wrong: He will be sleep. Right: He will be sleeping.
Wrong: I will being work. Right: I will be working.
State verbs (know, like, want, need) do not take -ing: Wrong: I will be knowing. Right: I will know.
Action completed before a future time: I will have finished my work by 5 pm.
The earlier of two future actions: By the time you come, she will have cooked dinner.
Predicting that something will be done: By 2030, scientists will have found a cure.
by tomorrow, by next week, by 2030, by the end of this month, by that time, by then, by the time (+ present), before (future), within a week, in two days
"By" is the magic word. If you see "by + future time", think Future Perfect.
Positive: Subject + will have + V3. I will have eaten. | She will have eaten. | They will have eaten.
Negative: Subject + will not (won't) have + V3. I will not have eaten.
Question: Will + Subject + have + V3 ? Will you have finished? | Will she have left?
Wh- Question: What will he have done by then?
After will have, always use V3.
Wrong: I will have went. Right: I will have gone.
Wrong: She will has finished. Right: She will have finished.
Wrong: They will have finishing. Right: They will have finished.
AT + time = action in progress: Future Continuous. At 5 pm tomorrow, I will be studying. (I am in the middle of studying.)
BY + time = action finished: Future Perfect. By 5 pm tomorrow, I will have studied. (Studying is complete.)
Future Simple: I will write a letter. (decision or promise)
Future Continuous: I will be writing a letter at 8 pm. (in progress)
Future Perfect: I will have written the letter by 8 pm. (finished)
After if, when, before, after, until, by the time, as soon as, use Present Simple, not will.
Wrong: By the time you will come, I will have left. Right: By the time you come, I will have left.
Wrong: When he will arrive, we will be eating. Right: When he arrives, we will be eating.
Short answers: Will you be working? Yes, I will. / No, I won't. Contractions: I'll be, she'll have, won't have.
Only the first helping verb moves in questions: Will she be sleeping? (not Will she will be sleeping)
Step 1: See the clue word.
Step 2: "at / this time tomorrow / when you come" uses will be + V-ing.
Step 3: "by / by the time / by then" uses will have + V3.
Step 4: Keep the time clause (after by the time, when, if) in Present Simple.
1) This time next week, we will be travelling in Europe. 2) Don't call me at 7. I will be having dinner. 3) By next year, she will have completed her degree. 4) Will they have reached by noon? 5) By the time you wake up, I will have left.
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
1) This time tomorrow, I ____ (fly) to Delhi.
2) She ____ (sleep) at 11 pm tonight.
3) They ____ (not/work) tomorrow morning.
4) ____ you ____ (use) the car tonight?
5) By 2030, he ____ (finish) his studies.
6) I ____ (complete) the work by 5 pm.
7) She ____ (not/reach) home by 8 pm.
8) ____ they ____ (leave) before we arrive?
9) At 9 am tomorrow, we ____ (sit) in the exam hall.
10) By next month, I ____ (le