SELT Correct Verb Tense Usage 5

Question 1

I ______ him for years — we met in kindergarten.

Accepted Answer

have known

Answer

Present perfect 'have known' describes a state that began in the past and continues to the present.

Question 2

She was tired because she ______ all night.

Accepted Answer

had been working

Answer

Past perfect continuous 'had been working' explains the cause of tiredness with emphasis on duration before a past state.

Question 3

______ you ______ the new manager yet?

Accepted Answer

Have / met

Answer

Present perfect 'Have you met' is used for experiences at an unspecified time before now, often with 'yet'.

Question 4

By next year, they ______ the new bridge.

Accepted Answer

will have completed

Answer

Future perfect 'will have completed' indicates the action will be finished before a specified future time.

Question 5

He ______ to the gym regularly since January.

Accepted Answer

has been going

Answer

Present perfect continuous 'has been going' shows an ongoing repeated action from a past point to the present.

(SELT) Skills for English Practice Test