Exercises C1 : Nuances of verb tenses in English (answers)

These exercises challenge you to go beyond basic tense rules and apply a deeper understanding of time, aspect, and relevance in English. Each task is designed to sharpen the precision you need at C1 level.

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Exercice 1 — Tense in Context: Fill in the Blank

Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in parentheses. Pay close attention to aspect and relevance to the present moment.

1. By the time she arrived at the station, the last train ___ (leave) already.
2. I ___ (work) on this report since early this morning, and I still haven't finished.
3. He ___ (just / realise) that he had misunderstood the instructions from the very beginning.
4. She ___ (give) three presentations next week, so she is preparing intensively.

Correction

1. By the time she arrived at the station, the last train had already left.
2. I have been working on this report since early this morning, and I still haven't finished.
3. He had just realised that he had misunderstood the instructions from the very beginning.
4. She is giving three presentations next week, so she is preparing intensively.

Exercice 2 — Aspect Shift: Transform the Sentence

Rewrite each sentence using the tense or aspect indicated in brackets. Make sure the new sentence accurately reflects the nuance described.

1. He finished the novel last night. [Rewrite to emphasise the present relevance of the completed action]
2. She reads academic papers every evening. [Rewrite to show an ongoing action in progress at a specific past moment]
3. They will launch the product in June. [Rewrite using a form that expresses a pre-arranged future plan]
4. We worked on the project for two years before it was cancelled. [Rewrite to emphasise the duration leading up to a past moment]

Correction

1. He has finished the novel, so he can discuss it with us now.
2. She was reading academic papers when the power went out.
3. They are launching the product in June, as everything has already been scheduled.
4. We had been working on the project for two years before it was cancelled.

Exercice 3 — Spot the Error: Tense and Aspect

Each sentence contains one tense or aspect error. Identify the mistake and rewrite the sentence correctly, reflecting the intended meaning.

1. I have seen that film last Tuesday, so I don't need to go again.
2. By next December, they will work in this office for exactly ten years.
3. She was knowing the answer all along but chose not to say anything.
4. He has been writing his thesis and submitted it to his supervisor yesterday.

Correction

1. I saw that film last Tuesday, so I don't need to go again.
2. By next December, they will have been working in this office for exactly ten years.
3. She knew the answer all along but chose not to say anything.
4. He had been writing his thesis and submitted it to his supervisor yesterday.