Writing 2– Grammar Lesson 26: Verb Tenses
Exercise 1: Active and Passive Voice Review
Underline the verb or verb phrase in each sentence. Then identify the voice of the verb by writing A
for Active or P for Passive in the blank.
________1. The smelly cans of garbage in the alley were collected every Tuesday morning.
________2. Jay Leno’s prized Porsche was prepared for the car show in Los Angeles.
________3. A crop duster sprayed chemicals on the corn field next to the highway.
________4. The containers of water were opened and quickly distributed to the citizens of Japan.
________5. Martha, my seamstress, was hired to alter my prom dress.
________6. The toddlers happily picked blueberries on Fredrich Mountain in Colorado.
________7. The coach was deluged with Gatorade by his star players after the championship win.
________8. The ice cubes in his tea glass melted quickly in the afternoon sun.
________9. Bring me that new library book.
________10. After school, the club members are planning an overnight camping trip to the mountains.
________11. All of us hungrily eyed her chocolate birthday cake.
________12. The winning illustration was done in charcoal.
________13. My sister was driven to her orthodontist appointment too early.
________14. The man found a very scared cat hiding under his hood.
________15. Pat’s new hat was finally found under the pile of dirty clothes in the laundry room.
________16. During the play, a heavy wooden door was slammed in y face!
________17. The black and white skunk poked around the trash near our garage door.
________18. Clothing donations were collected for the West African refugee families.
________19. The man in the dark trench coat has been elected head of the FBI in Texas.
________20. The news anchor estimated the crowd to be about five thousand people.
Exercise 2: Underline the verb or verb phrase in each sentence. Then identify the verb tense or verb
form by writing its corresponding number in the blank from the following list: (1) Present Tense (2)
Past Tense (3) Future Tense (4) Present Perfect Tense (5) Past Perfect Tense (6) Future Perfect Tense
(7) Progressive Form (8) Emphatic Form
______ 1. Rebecca will have exercised already.
______ 2. Joshua mows lawns for extra money.
______ 3. Those sailors will depart from New York.
______ 4. Mother had waxed the floor before the party.
______ 5. The fans are shouting for a touchdown.
______ 6. The children have been eating candy.
______ 7. The cow has grazed in our pasture this week.
______ 8. Daniel typed on the computer until midnight.
______ 9. The puppies have opened their eyes.
______ 10. He will have talked for an hour on the phone.
______ 11. Ruth did explain the directions clearly.
______ 12. Dad will have been lighting the charcoal.
Exercise 3: Underline each verb or verb phrase. In the first column, identify the verb or verb phrase by
writing its corresponding number in the blank from the following list: (1) Present Tense (2) Past Tense
(3) Future Tense (4) Present Perfect Tense (5) Past Perfect Tense (6) Future Perfect Tense (7)
Progressive Form (8) Emphatic Form. Then, in the second column, circle R or I for Regular or
Irregular. (Progressive and emphatic verbs are identified by form without noting the tense)
Verb Tense R or I
________ R or I 1. The army helicopter had landed safely on the landing pad.
________
R or I 2. A flock of geese is landing on the lake behind our house.
________
R or I 3. The successful actor's chauffeur will drive him to the awards ceremony.
________
R or I 4. The eager children watch expectantly for signs of the first snow.
_______
R or I 5. The excited second grader did find a quarter on the playground.
________
R or I 6. Dad and Grandpa will have slept for 8 hours by now.
________
R or I 7. Three happy toddlers were splashing in the wading pool.
________
R or I 8. Our committee had been deciding the best theme for the dance.
________
R or I 9. You did an excellent job on your science project this year.
________
R or I 10. A freight company will have moved our furniture to Utah by next week.
________
R or I 11. The grouchy woman grumbled under her breath about the weather.
________
R or I 12. The young doctor is an expert on diseases of the skin.
________
R or I 13. The company boss will raise your salary at the end of the year.
________
R or I 14. Mrs. Sanders has been driving our school bus for 15 years.
________
R or I 15. The door to the baby's room does creak loudly on its hinges.
________ R or I
16. Sarah will present her art portfolio for review to her professors next week.