Verb Tenses

Question 1

For general truths and facts that are current

Answer 1

present simple

Question 2

For information from a book, a poem, research, or other work

Answer 2

mostly present simple

Question 3

Current trends and tendencies

Answer 3

present progressive or present perfect progressive

Question 4

For an action that is happening at this moment

Answer 4

present progressive

Question 5

For a habitual action

Answer 5

present simple

Question 6

For complaints about habitual actions

Answer 6

present progressive (often used with “always” or “forever”)

Question 7

To make a story sound lively (sporting events, demonstrations, jokes)

Answer 7

present progressive or present simple

Question 8

For general facts about the past

Answer 8

past simple

Question 9

For a past fact that is no longer true

Answer 9

past simple with “used to”

Question 10

For an action that was completed in the past

Answer 10

past simple

Question 11

For background information in a narrative

Answer 11

past progressive

Question 12

For an action that started in the past and either continues in the present or has an effect in the present

Answer 12

present perfect

Question 13

For an action that happened several times in the past and may happen again

Answer 13

present perfect

Question 14

To indicate that you have (or don’t have) the experience of doing something

Answer 14

present perfect

Question 15

For an action that has just been completed

Answer 15

present perfect

Question 16

For a future plan

Answer 16

future simple

Question 17

To predict an event that will happen in the future

Answer 17

future simple