Grammar-Quizzes › Verb Phrases › Verbs › Present
Present Tense
Summary of Practices
Present Tense—Diagnostic
Present Tense Diagnostic: identify specific points that need review
This is a grammar diagnostic page with study links.
Quiz 1: beginning – intermediate
Quiz 2: intermediate – advanced
Present Tense—Simple vs. Progressive
Present–General Truth: state facts and observations
Beginning ESL
Practice – multiple choice
The earth turns 360 degrees every day.
The earth is turning right now.
Subj Predicate Agr: mark verbs for third person singular agreement
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
*Simon get up at 6 a.m. everyday.
General Truth Practice: talk about weather and climate
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.
Present–At Moment: talk about temporary or ongoing activities
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)
Present–Habitual: relate current activities—temporary vs. permanent
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.
Present Progressive: talk about temporary habits or activities at the moment of speaking
Beginning ESL
Helen is jogging around the park right now.
Helen is jogging around the park this morning.
Progressive: express duration or repetition
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)
Present Tense—Scheduled Activities (Present & Future)
Scheduled Events: refer to planned activities in the future
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).
Be (copular verb, linking verb): describe, identify or locate the subject
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)
States of Being: express existence and changes in states
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)
Sensory States: express sensation and perception
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
The skunk smells bad. He stinks!
Sandpaper feels rough.
The soup tastes salty.
*The skunk is smelling bad.
Cognitive States: express thinking, cognition and attitude
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…
Possession States: indicate possession or ownership
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 involved; but:
Let's have a look. (do, carry out, perform)
Emotion States: express reacting to experiences
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Emotional States vs. Activities
Practice – multiple choice
Baby faces amuse people.
Politicians please voters.
Her action amazed everyone.
Measurement: indicate weight, distance, height and count
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.
Present–Narration: tell anecdotes, stories and events
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.
Present Tense—Time-Related Events
Time-Related Events: relate the timing of two connected events (present and future)
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.
After/ Before/ When: relate the timing of two activities (present, future, past)
Intermediate ESL, Native Speakers
Present & Future Time-Related Events
Practice 1 – correct/incorrect
Practice 2 – multiple choice
Practice 3 – edit sentence
When I call the dog, she comes.
After I call the dog, she comes.
Before I call the dog, I open the door.
After I take the dog out, we'll sit down for a while.
When / While: indicate same-time (synchronous) activities
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.
By the time: view relative progress or completion
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)
Transitive Verbs–Direct Objects: indicate the "patient" of the action
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.
Ditransitive Verbs–Indirect Objects: indicate the "recipient" or "beneficiary" of the action
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.
Intransitive Verbs: Never Passive—recognize verbs that do not take objects
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.
Final -S Practice: edit nouns and verbs for final -S / -ES
Beginning ESL
*Tom work at a grocery store.
*Every day, he arrive early to do his chore.
Final -S Audio: listen for final "s"
Beginning ESL
Practice complete sentences – (wav) and (mp3) files
ropes [s]
robes [z]
Present Context: identify present tense verbs
Intermediate ESL
A year ago, people weren't much thinking about mobile phones but now the voices are getting louder about it.
Been / Being: contrast the sounds of been and being
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)
Negative Word Forms: express absence, doubt, denial, prohibition and more
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)