Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verbs. Choose your answers from the given options.
1. I ............................... for a pen ............................ this composition.
We use the present continuous to talk about actions or situations that are going on at the moment of speaking.
2. She ............................. up the stairs slowly because she didn't want ............................
We use the simple past to say that somebody did something in the past.
3. The teacher .............................. the students ............................. the sum.
4. Nobody ................................ that he is innocent.
Since the verb in the subordinate clause is in the present tense, the verb in the main clause is also likely to be in the present or future tense. A past tense seems improbable. Nobody is singular and hence the verb takes the marker -s.
5. Although the children were tired, they ................................... playing.
6. The stranger ............................... the shopkeeper to give him a glass of water because he ...................... thirsty.
The simple past is the most normal tense to talk about the past.
7. Mother .............................. busy cooking for the guests who are arriving in the evening.
To talk about a situation that started in the past and has continued up to the present, we use the present perfect tense.
8. As I ............................. my eyes, I ......................... a strange sight.
We use the past simple to talk about two short past actions that happened at the same time.
9. The sparrow ............................ away happily after eating the mango.
10. In spite of being very intelligent, he ............................. score good marks.
11. The erring students ............................... with a strict warning by the principal.
12. Penguins are different from other birds because they ........................... to life in the water.
Answers
1. I am looking for a pen to write this composition.
2. She climbed up the stairs slowly because she didn’t want to fall.
3. The teacher asked the students to solve the sum.
4. Nobody believes that he is innocent.
5. Although the children were tired, they continued playing.
6. The stranger requested the shopkeeper to give him a glass of water because he was thirsty.
7. Mother has been busy cooking for the guests who are arriving in the evening.
8. As I opened my eyes, I saw a strange sight.
9. The sparrow flew away happily after eating the mango.
10. In spite of being very intelligent, he does not score good marks.
11. The erring students were let off with a strict warning by the principal.
12. Penguins are different from other birds because they are adapted to life in the water.
