Question

Identify the tenses, then match them with the correct description.
1. He runs a large travel agency.
2. The thief enters the room and opens the safe.
3. Skill comes with practice
4.She’s been practising that song for hours.
5.He’s working hard these days.
6.He’s gained a lot of weight recently
7.Tom’s picking me up at 7 o’clock tonight.
8.She’s staying with a friend in London at present.
9.The ferry arrives at 10.00 am.
10. They’ve been talking on the phone since 9 o’clock this morning.

a. actions taking place at or around the moment of speaking.
b. emphasis on duration of an action which began in the past and continues up to the present.
c. reviews/sport commentaries/dramatic narratives.
d. actions started at a stated time in the past and continuing up to the present.
e. fixed arrangements in the near future.
f. timetables/programmes (future meaning).
g. permanent situations or states.
h. permanent truths or laws of nature.
I. personal experiences or changes which have happened.

Answer 1

1. He runs a large travel agency. - Present Simple - g. permanent situations or states.

2. The thief enters the room and opens the safe. - Present Simple - c. reviews/sport commentaries/dramatic narratives.

3. Skill comes with practice - Present Simple - h. permanent truths or laws of nature.

4. She’s been practising that song for hours. - Present Perfect Continuous - b. emphasis on duration of an action which began in the past and continues up to the present.

5. He’s working hard these days. - Present Continuous - a. actions taking place at or around the moment of speaking; temporary situations.

6. He’s gained a lot of weight recently - Present Perfect - i. personal experiences or changes which have happened.

7. Tom’s picking me up at 7 o’clock tonight. - Present Continuous - e. fixed arrangements in the near future.

8. She’s staying with a friend in London at present. - Present Continuous - a. actions taking place at or around the moment of speaking; temporary situations.

9. The ferry arrives at 10.00 am. - Present Simple - f. timetables/programmes (future meaning).

10. They’ve been talking on the phone since 9 o’clock this morning. - Present Perfect Continuous - d. actions started at a stated time in the past and continuing up to the present.