Grammar-Quizzes › Verb Phrases › Verbs › Present
This is a grammar diagnostic page with study links.
Quiz 1: beginning – intermediate
Quiz 2: intermediate – advanced
Beginning ESL
Practice – multiple choice
The earth turns 360 degrees every day.
The earth is turning right now.
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
*Simon get up at 6 a.m. everyday.
Beginning ESL
El Nino is an unusual warming of ocean water.
This weather pattern comes about the time of the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child, "El Nino" – December.
Beginning ESL
My name is Isabela. (100% permanent)
I am a mother. (99% permanent)
I am married. (50% permanent)
I work at Children's Hospital in Oakland. (?)
I am working to get my nursing certification. (temporary)
I am having difficulty. (temporary)
Beginning ESL
I usually work 9 to 5. He often plays golf on Saturday. We always eat dinner together. Frequently, we have lunch out. We never eat breakfast together.
Beginning ESL
Helen is jogging around the park right now.
Helen is jogging around the park this morning.
Intermediate – Advanced ELL
Present vs. Progressive (mixed tenses)
Verbs of Short and Long Duration
Situations (states, actions activities, processes)
We have been reading the news online every morning for many years. (indefinite timing)
Yesterday, the four of us were reading the same story on different websites. (definite timing)
As we were sharing details from our websites, we realized that the details differed. (backgrounding)
We fact-checked, discussed and determined how much truth the article presented. (series of events)
"Where did you read that?" he asked. (source, origin question)
Beginning ESL
Far Future vs. Far Future (active timing)
Paragraph 1 – multiple choice
Paragraph 2 – multiple choice
Paragraph 3 – multiple choice
The exhibition returns to the Hall of Science this week. (routine)
The exhibition is returning to the Hall of Science this week. (near future)
The exhibition will return to the Hall of Science next week. (scheduled/ calendar event)
The exhibition will be returning to the Hall of Science next week. (active timing, "Don't miss it!")
We will be walking around while he is playing with the dinosaurs. (future background activity) See Future Progressive (modals).
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
She is joyful. (links description to the subject)
Be joyful! Don't be sad. (dynamic)
I am her sister. (links identify to the subject)
I am older. (links description)
We are outside. (links location-place)
We are late. (links location-time)
We are in luck. (links circumstance)
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Static vs. Dynamic ("Be" + Adjective)
Practice 1 – complete paragraph
Practice 2 – identify the verb
Practice 3 – edit paragraph
He is tired.
He seems upset.
He appears lost.
("Be" + Adjective or Participle Modifier)
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
The skunk smells bad. He stinks!
Sandpaper feels rough.
The soup tastes salty.
*The skunk is smelling bad.
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
I think you are correct.
I believe you know what you are talking about.
I like living here.
~How are you liking living here?
~I am thinking that…
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – multiple choice
The little dog has a ball. (is in possession of)
The dog has light-colored fur. (characteristic)
She's having fun. (experience)
No action is involved, except in:
Let's have a look. (do, carry out, perform)
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Emotional States vs. Activities
Practice – multiple choice
Baby faces amuse people.
Politicians please voters.
Her action amazed everyone.
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Measurement – measure, reach, weigh, cost, owe, equal, consist of, include, contain
Practice – multiple choice
The Golden Gate bridge measures 8,981 ft. / 2,737 m. long.
The bridge weighs 887,000 tons / 804,700,00 kg.
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
This man goes into a bar and he has a few drinks. Then he asks the bartender to play a game of billiards.
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
After I make tea, we will watch a movie on TV .
I will make tea. Afterward, we'll watch a movie on TV
I will make some tea before we watch a movie on TV.
Intermediate ESL, Native Speaker
Practice 1– complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct/incorrect
When you called, he picked up his cell phone.
While he was talking on the phone, the baby slept.
Intermediate– Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – read and edit
[adverbial clause, PP + clause]
By the time I leave work, the sun will be setting. (ongoing)
By the time I leave work, the sun will have set. (completed)
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Jason rises.
Jason raises the blinds.
Jason studies.
Jason studies English.
The glass broke.
Jason broke the glass.
The baby weighs 10 lbs.
The doctor weighed the baby.
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – complete the sentence
Practice 2 – complete the sentence
Practice 3 – complete the sentence
My friend is bringing me a letter.
My friend is bringing a letter to me.
My friend is bringing me it.
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – edit the paragraph
Also see Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs.
The earthquake happened on April 3, 2009 in Italy.
*The earthquake was happened on April 3, 2009 in Italy.
The baby weighed 7 lbs.
*The baby was weighed 7 lbs.
Beginning ESL
*Tom work at a grocery store.
*Every day, he arrive early to do his chore.
Beginning ESL
Practice complete sentences – (wav) and (mp3) files
ropes [s]
robes [z]
Intermediate ESL
A year ago, people weren't much thinking about mobile phones but now the voices are getting louder about it.
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice – complete the sentence (MC)
We've been quiet. (present perfect - active)
We're being quiet. (present progressive - active)
We've been seen by Dr. Allen. (present perfect - passive)
We 're being seen by Dr. Allen (present progressive - passive)
Beginning – Advanced ESL, native speakers
Negativity Expressed in Noun Phrases
Similar but Different Negatives
Practice 1 – identify the word form (MC)
Practice 1 – contrast word forms (MC)
No one / Not anyone has parked illegally.
His inability / disability was clear to us.
He was unsatisfied / dissatisfied.
He would park there, wouldn't he?
We asked him not to park there.
I doubt that he *never / ever helps.
He is neither optimistic nor pessimistic.
His no nonsense approach to life is refreshing. (expression)