Tenses Questions with Solutions
Tense shows the time of an action: past, present or future. Each of these has four forms (simple, continuous, perfect and perfect continuous), giving twelve tenses in all. This topic covers the structure and use of every tense, the forms of regular and irregular verbs, sequence of tenses, and tense usage in conditional sentences. Exam questions mostly test the correct use of tense in context. Key rules to remember: the present perfect ("has finished") is not used with a definite past time such as "yesterday" or "in 2019"; the past perfect ("had left") shows the earlier of two past actions; and in clauses beginning with "when", "if", "before" or "as soon as", the simple present is used for a future meaning ("I will call you when he arrives", not "when he will arrive"). Verbs of state such as "know", "believe", "own" and "contain" are not normally used in continuous tenses. Words like "since", "for", "already", "yet", "just" and "by the time" are strong clues to the tense required. Practise the tenses questions below. Each solution names the tense and explains why it fits the sentence.
- Q1.
Select the sentence that correctly expresses the sequence of past events.
A. The curator replaces the exhibit after it deteriorated.B. The curator replaced the exhibit after it has deteriorated.C. The curator replaced the exhibit after it had deteriorated.D. The curator replaces the exhibit after it had deteriorated.easyAsked in NIMCET 2026View solution › - Q2.
Choose the correct option: I __ for the MCA-CET exam next month. (Fill in the blank with the future continuous tense form of the verb - appear)
A. will be appearingB. will appearC. may appearD. am appearedeasyAsked in MAH MCA CET 2024View solution › - Q3.
Choose the correct alternative for the sentence below: The earth is always revolving round the sun.
A. The earth revolves round the sunB. The earth is revolving round the sunC. The earth revolving round the sunD. None of theseeasyAsked in NIMCET 2013View solution › - Q4.
By the time we reached the station, the train ______.
A. leftB. has leftC. had leftD. leaveseasyView solution › - Q5.
She ______ in this company for ten years by next March.
A. will workB. will be workingC. will have been workingD. has been workingmediumView solution › - Q6.
Fill in the blank with the correct option: By the time the rescue team arrived, the situation ______ far beyond control.
A. isB. wasC. will beD. has beeneasyAsked in MAH LLB 3 Year CET 1 April Shift 2 2026View solution › - Q7.
Choose the option which uses the correct tense:
A. A new theater was started last Tuesday.B. A new theater has been started last Tuesday.C. A new theater had been started last Tuesday.D. A new theater will be started last Tuesday.easyAsked in MAH LLB 3 Year CET 1 April Shift 2 2026View solution › - Q8.
Identify the correct sentence using proper tense:
A. She go to school every day.B. She goes to school every day.C. She going to school every day.D. She gone to school every day.easyAsked in MAH LLB 3 Year CET 2 April Shift-2 2026View solution › - Q9.
Choose the correct tense for the sentence: By the time the judge arrives, the lawyer ______ the documents.
A. will have preparedB. will prepareC. preparesD. had preparedmediumAsked in MAH LLB 3 Year CET 2 April Shift-2 2026View solution › - Q10.
Use the Past tense or the Past Participle of the verb given in brackets to fill in the blank. The player has ______ his worst days. (see)
A. sawB. been seeingC. seenD. seemingeasyAsked in MAH LLB 3 Year CET 2 April Shift-2 2026View solution › - Q11.
I don’t think I’ve ever ……on that sofa
A. been sittingB. satC. sitD. sittingmediumAsked in NIMCET 2020View solution › - Q12.
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option: Kedar __________ this project for a month and now he is about to join a new project.
A. guidingB. guidesC. has been guidingD. guidedeasyAsked in NIMCET 2022View solution › - Q13.
Anne had to pay for everything because, as usual, Peter __________ his wallet at home.
A. had leftB. was leavingC. leftD. leavemediumAsked in NIMCET 2019View solution › - Q14.
Identify the incorrect sentence based on the usage of the verb:
A. It's been raining since morning.B. They are understanding the problem.C. It has clear ideas.D. Their understanding of the problem was incorrect.easyAsked in NIMCET 2025View solution ›