100+ MCQ’s on TENSE
Studying the below questions
on tenses is essential for mastering English grammar, as it reinforces the
understanding and correct usage of different tenses. Tenses are fundamental in
conveying the timing of actions, whether they occur in the past, present, or
future, and they are critical for clear and precise communication. By
practicing these questions, learners can enhance their ability to construct
grammatically accurate sentences, thereby improving both written and spoken
English. This knowledge is particularly valuable for students preparing for
competitive exams, where proficiency in English is often tested, as well as for
individuals aiming to excel in professional and academic settings where
effective communication is paramount.
1. I ________ a book when she called.
a) read
b) was reading
c) am reading
d) reads
Answer: b) was reading
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
to describe an ongoing action in the past.
2. By next week, they ________ the project.
a) will complete
b) will have completed
c) complete
d) completed
Answer: b) will have completed
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed by a certain future time.
3. She ________ to the store every Saturday.
a) goes
b) went
c) will go
d) is going
Answer: a) goes
Reason: Simple present tense is used
for habitual actions.
4. They ________ here since morning.
a) are
b) have been
c) were
d) will be
Answer: b) have been
Reason: Present perfect continuous
tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and is still
continuing.
5. I ________ my homework before dinner yesterday.
a) finish
b) will finish
c) had finished
d) am finishing
Answer: c) had finished
Reason: Past perfect tense is used to
show that one action was completed before another action in the past.
6. The train ________ by the time we reach the
station.
a) will leave
b) leaves
c) will have left
d) left
Answer: c) will have left
Reason: Future perfect tense indicates
an action that will be completed before a specified future time.
7. When she arrived, we ________ dinner.
a) have
b) had
c) having
d) were having
Answer: d) were having
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
to describe an action that was ongoing at a specific time in the past.
8. I ________ this movie before.
a) see
b) saw
c) seen
d) have seen
Answer: d) have seen
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
9. She ________ the piano for five years.
a) plays
b) has played
c) is playing
d) played
Answer: b) has played
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that began in the past and continue to the present.
10. They ________ to the concert last night.
a) go
b) are going
c) went
d) will go
Answer: c) went
Reason: Simple past tense is used for
actions completed at a specific time in the past.
11. I ________ in the company for ten years by next
month.
a) will work
b) have worked
c) will have worked
d) work
Answer: c) will have worked
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
12. She ________ when the phone rang.
a) sleeps
b) was sleeping
c) is sleeping
d) sleep
Answer: b) was sleeping
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
for an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.
13. We ________ our dinner yet.
a) haven’t finished
b) don’t finish
c) didn’t finish
d) won’t finish
Answer: a) haven’t finished
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
to describe actions that have relevance to the present moment.
14. By this time tomorrow, I ________ to Paris.
a) will fly
b) will have flown
c) flew
d) fly
Answer: b) will have flown
Reason: Future perfect tense indicates
an action that will be completed before a specified future time.
15. She always ________ her homework on time.
a) do
b) does
c) did
d) doing
Answer: b) does
Reason: Simple present tense is used
for habitual actions.
16. They ________ here for two hours.
a) were
b) are
c) have been
d) will be
Answer: c) have been
Reason: Present perfect continuous
tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still
continuing.
17. He ________ the report before the deadline.
a) finishes
b) finished
c) had finished
d) finish
Answer: c) had finished
Reason: Past perfect tense is used to
show that one action was completed before another action in the past.
18. The meeting ________ by the time we arrive.
a) will start
b) started
c) will have started
d) starts
Answer: c) will have started
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
19. When I called, he ________ TV.
a) watch
b) is watching
c) was watching
d) watches
Answer: c) was watching
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
20. I ________ this movie before.
a) see
b) saw
c) have seen
d) seeing
Answer: c) have seen
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
21. She ________ her keys yesterday.
a) loses
b) lost
c) lose
d) is losing
Answer: b) lost
Reason: Simple past tense is used for
actions completed at a specific time in the past.
22. We ________ to the party tonight.
a) go
b) will go
c) went
d) gone
Answer: b) will go
Reason: Simple future tense is used for
actions that will happen in the future.
23. They ________ dinner when the guests arrived.
a) had
b) were having
c) have
d) will have
Answer: b) were having
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
to describe an ongoing action in the past.
24. I ________ already ________ that book.
a) have, read
b) will, read
c) am, reading
d) was, read
Answer: a) have, read
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
25. By the time she comes, I ________ my work.
a) finish
b) will finish
c) will have finished
d) finished
Answer: c) will have finished
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
26. He ________ here for a long time.
a) has been
b) was
c) is
d) will be
Answer: a) has been
Reason: Present perfect continuous
tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still
continuing.
27. They ________ the project last week.
a) complete
b) completed
c) have completed
d) are completing
Answer: b) completed
Reason: Simple past tense is used for
actions completed at a specific time in the past.
28. By next year, she ________ her studies.
a) completes
b) completed
c) will have completed
d) complete
Answer: c) will have completed
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
29. I ________ when you called me
.
a) sleep
b) was sleeping
c) am sleeping
d) sleeps
Answer: b) was sleeping
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
30. She ________ in London for three years.
a) lives
b) lived
c) has lived
d) is living
Answer: c) has lived
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that began in the past and continue to the present.
31. They ________ the car before the trip.
a) will clean
b) cleaned
c) will have cleaned
d) clean
Answer: c) will have cleaned
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
32. When I was a child, I ________ a lot of books.
a) read
b) reads
c) am reading
d) reading
Answer: a) read
Reason: Simple past tense is used for
actions completed at a specific time in the past.
33. By the end of this month, we ________ in this city
for five years.
a) will live
b) have lived
c) will have lived
d) live
Answer: c) will have lived
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
34. She ________ breakfast when the phone rang.
a) had
b) has
c) is having
d) was having
Answer: d) was having
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
35. I ________ already ________ the movie.
a) have, seen
b) will, see
c) am, seeing
d) was, see
Answer: a) have, seen
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
36. By next summer, we ________ all our exams.
a) will finish
b) finish
c) will have finished
d) finished
Answer: c) will have finished
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
37. They ________ in this house for a long time.
a) have been living
b) lived
c) live
d) will live
Answer: a) have been living
Reason: Present perfect continuous
tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still
continuing.
38. We ________ the match yesterday.
a) watch
b) are watching
c) watched
d) will watch
Answer: c) watched
Reason: Simple past tense is used for
actions completed at a specific time in the past.
39. By the time you arrive, I ________ dinner.
a) cook
b) will cook
c) will have cooked
d) cooked
Answer: c) will have cooked
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
40. She ________ to the gym every day.
a) goes
b) went
c) is going
d) going
Answer: a) goes
Reason: Simple present tense is used
for habitual actions.
41. He ________ the car when it started to rain.
a) wash
b) washes
c) is washing
d) was washing
Answer: d) was washing
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
42. By next month, I ________ this course.
a) complete
b) will have completed
c) will complete
d) completed
Answer: b) will have completed
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
43. They ________ here since morning.
a) are
b) have been
c) were
d) will be
Answer: b) have been
Reason: Present perfect continuous
tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still
continuing.
44. I ________ my homework before dinner yesterday.
a) finish
b) will finish
c) had finished
d) am finishing
Answer: c) had finished
Reason: Past perfect tense is used to
show that one action was completed before another action in the past.
45. The train ________ by the time we reach the
station.
a) will leave
b) leaves
c) will have left
d) left
Answer: c) will have left
Reason: Future perfect tense indicates
an action that will be completed before a specified future time.
46. When she arrived, we ________ dinner.
a) have
b) had
c) having
d) were having
Answer: d) were having
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
to describe an action that was ongoing at a specific time in the past.
47. I ________ this movie before.
a) see
b) saw
c) seen
d) have seen
Answer: d) have seen
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
48. She ________ the piano for five years.
a) plays
b) has played
c) is playing
d) played
Answer: b) has played
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that began in the past and continue to the present.
49. They ________ to the concert last night.
a) go
b) are going
c) went
d) will go
Answer: c) went
Reason: Simple past tense is used for
actions completed at a specific time in the past.
50. I ________ in the company for ten years by next
month.
a) will work
b) have worked
c) will have worked
d) work
Answer: c) will have worked
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
51. She ________ when the phone rang.
a) sleeps
b) was sleeping
c) is sleeping
d) sleep
Answer: b) was sleeping
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
for an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.
52. We ________ our dinner yet.
a) haven’t finished
b) don’t finish
c) didn’t finish
d) won’t finish
Answer: a) haven’t finished
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
to describe actions that have relevance to the present moment.
53. By this time tomorrow, I ________ to Paris.
a) will fly
b) will have flown
c) flew
d) fly
Answer: b) will have flown
Reason: Future perfect tense indicates
an action that will be completed before a specified future time.
54. She always ________ her homework on time.
a) do
b) does
c) did
d) doing
Answer: b) does
Reason: Simple present tense is used
for habitual actions.
55. They ________ here for two hours.
a) were
b) are
c) have been
d) will be
Answer: c) have been
Reason: Present perfect continuous
tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still
continuing.
56. He ________ the report before the deadline.
a) finishes
b) finished
c) had finished
d) finish
Answer: c) had finished
Reason: Past perfect tense is used to
show that one action was completed before another action in the past.
57. The meeting ________ by the time we arrive.
a) will start
b) started
c) will have started
d) starts
Answer: c) will have started
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
58. When I called, he ________ TV.
a) watch
b) is watching
c) was watching
d) watches
Answer: c) was watching
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
59. I ________ this movie before.
a) see
b) saw
c) have seen
d) seeing
Answer: c) have seen
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
60. She ________ her keys yesterday.
a) loses
b) lost
c) lose
d) is losing
Answer: b) lost
Reason: Simple past tense is used for
actions completed at a specific time in the past.
61. We ________ to the party tonight.
a) go
b) will go
c) went
d) gone
Answer: b) will go
Reason: Simple future tense is used for
actions that will happen in the future.
62. They ________ dinner when the guests arrived.
a) had
b) were having
c) have
d) will have
Answer: b) were having
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
to describe an ongoing action in the past.
63. I ________ already ________ that book.
a) have, read
b) will, read
c) am, reading
d) was, read
Answer: a) have, read
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
64. By the time she comes, I ________ my work.
a) finish
b) will finish
c) will have finished
d) finished
Answer: c) will have finished
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
65. He ________ here for a long time.
a) has been
b) was
c) is
d) will be
Answer: a) has been
Reason: Present perfect continuous
tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still
continuing.
66. They ________ the project last week.
a) complete
b) completed
c) have completed
d) are completing
Answer: b) completed
Reason: Simple past tense is used for
actions completed at a specific time in the past.
67. By next year, she ________ her studies.
a) completes
b) completed
c) will have completed
d) complete
Answer: c) will have completed
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
68. I ________ when you called me.
a) sleep
b) was sleeping
c) am sleeping
d) sleeps
Answer: b) was sleeping
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
69. She ________ in London for three years.
a) lives
b) lived
c) has lived
d) is living
Answer: c) has lived
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that began in the past and continue to the present.
70. They ________ the car before the trip.
a) will clean
b) cleaned
c) will have cleaned
d) clean
Answer: c) will have cleaned
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
71. When I was a child, I ________ a lot of books.
a) read
b) reads
c) am reading
d) reading
Answer: a) read
Reason: Simple past tense is used for
actions completed at a specific time in the past.
72. By the end of this month, we ________ in this city
for five years.
a) will live
b) have lived
c) will have lived
d) live
Answer: c) will have lived
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
73. She ________ breakfast when the phone rang.
a) had
b) has
c) is having
d) was having
Answer: d) was having
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
74. I ________ already ________ the movie.
a) have, seen
b) will, see
c) am, seeing
d) was, see
Answer: a) have, seen
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
75. By next summer, we ________ all our exams.
a) will finish
b) finish
c) will have finished
d) finished
Answer: c) will have finished
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
76. They ________ in this house for a long time.
a) have been living
b) lived
c) live
d) will live
Answer: a) have been living
Reason: Present perfect continuous
tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still
continuing.
77. We ________ the match yesterday.
a) watch
b) are watching
c) watched
d) will watch
Answer: c) watched
Reason: Simple past tense is used for
actions completed at a specific time in the past.
78. By the time you arrive, I ________ dinner.
a) cook
b) will cook
c) will have cooked
d) cooked
Answer: c) will have cooked
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
79. She ________ to the gym every day.
a) goes
b) went
c) is going
d) going
Answer: a) goes
Reason: Simple present tense is used
for habitual actions.
80. He ________ the car when it started to rain.
a) wash
b) washes
c) is washing
d) was washing
Answer: d) was washing
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
81. By next month, I ________ this course.
a) complete
b) will have completed
c) will complete
d) completed
Answer: b) will have completed
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
82. They ________ here since morning.
a) are
b) have been
c) were
d) will be
Answer: b) have been
Reason: Present perfect continuous
tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still
continuing.
83. I ________ my homework before dinner yesterday.
a) finish
b) will finish
c) had finished
d) am finishing
Answer: c) had finished
Reason: Past perfect tense is used to
show that one action was completed before another action in the past.
84. The train ________ by the time we reach the
station.
a) will leave
b) leaves
c) will have left
d) left
Answer: c) will have left
Reason: Future perfect tense indicates
an action that will be completed before a specified future time.
85. When she arrived, we ________ dinner.
a) have
b) had
c) having
d) were having
Answer: d) were having
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
to describe an action that was ongoing at a specific time in the past.
86. I ________ this movie before.
a) see
b) saw
c) seen
d) have seen
Answer: d) have seen
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
87. She ________ the piano for five years.
a) plays
b) has played
c) is playing
d) played
Answer: b) has played
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that began in the past and continue to the present.
88. They ________ to the concert last night.
a) go
b) are going
c) went
d) will go
Answer: c) went
Reason: Simple past tense is used for
actions completed at a specific time in the past.
89. I ________ in the company for ten years by next
month.
a) will work
b) have worked
c) will have worked
d) work
Answer: c) will have worked
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
90. She ________ when the phone rang.
a) sleeps
b) was sleeping
c) is sleeping
d) sleep
Answer: b) was sleeping
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
for an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.
91. We ________ our dinner yet.
a) haven’t finished
b) don’t finish
c) didn’t finish
d) won’t finish
Answer: a) haven’t finished
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
to describe actions that have relevance to the present moment.
92. By this time tomorrow, I ________ to Paris.
a) will fly
b) will have flown
c) flew
d) fly
Answer: b) will have flown
Reason: Future perfect tense indicates
an action that will be completed before a specified future time.
93. She always ________ her homework on time.
a) do
b) does
c) did
d) doing
Answer: b) does
Reason: Simple present tense is used
for habitual actions.
94. They ________ here for two hours.
a) were
b) are
c) have been
d) will be
Answer: c) have been
Reason: Present perfect continuous
tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still
continuing.
95. He ________ the report before the deadline.
a) finishes
b) finished
c) had finished
d) finish
Answer: c) had finished
Reason: Past perfect tense is used to
show that one action was completed before another action in the past.
96. The meeting ________ by the time we arrive.
a) will start
b) started
c) will have started
d) starts
Answer: c) will have started
Reason: Future perfect tense is used
for actions that will be completed before a specified future time.
97. When I called, he ________ TV.
a) watch
b) is watching
c) was watching
d) watches
Answer: c) was watching
Reason: Past continuous tense is used
for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
98. I ________ this movie before.
a) see
b) saw
c) have seen
d) seeing
Answer: c) have seen
Reason: Present perfect tense is used
for actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
99. She ________ her keys yesterday.
a) loses
b) lost
c) lose
d) is losing
Answer: b) lost
Reason: Simple past tense is used for
actions completed at a specific time in the past.
100. We ________ to the party tonight.
a) go
b) will go
c) went
d) gone
Answer: b) will go
Reason: Simple future tense is used for
actions that will happen in the future.
Studying
the above questions on tenses is particularly useful for a wide range of
competitive exams and academic assessments that include an English language
component. These exams often test grammar proficiency, comprehension, and
language usage skills. Some of the specific exams where this knowledge is
beneficial include:
1.
Civil
Services Exams (UPSC, State PCS):
These exams include a strong emphasis on
English language skills in both the preliminary and main stages.
2.
Staff
Selection Commission (SSC) Exams:
SSC CGL, CHSL, and other exams have
dedicated sections for English comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary.
3.
Banking
Exams (IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI Grade B):
English language sections in these exams test
grammar, comprehension, and writing skills.
4.
Management
Entrance Exams (CAT, MAT, XAT):
These exams include Verbal Ability sections
that test grammar, sentence correction, and comprehension.
5.
Law
Entrance Exams (CLAT, AILET):
These exams require strong English skills for
sections on legal aptitude and comprehension.
6.
Teaching
Eligibility Tests (CTET, TET):
These exams assess English language
proficiency for teaching positions.
7.
GRE
and GMAT:
These international exams for graduate
admissions include sections that test analytical writing and verbal reasoning,
where grammar plays a crucial role.
8.
TOEFL
and IELTS:
These English proficiency tests for studying
abroad assess grammar, reading, writing, and speaking skills.
9.
Railway
Recruitment Board (RRB) Exams:
These exams include sections on general
English.
10.
Defense
Exams (NDA, CDS, AFCAT):
English sections in these exams assess
grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.
Mastering tenses and grammar through such
questions can significantly enhance performance in these exams by improving
clarity and accuracy in both written and spoken English.
