Test It, Fix It: English Verbs and Tenses Guide

Test it, Fix it. English Verbs and Tenses. Pre-Intermediate Level is a practical way to improve your grammar step by step. Many learners study rules but still make mistakes when speaking or writing. The problem is not understanding. Instead, it is lack of practice and correction.

Testing yourself helps you discover weak areas. Fixing mistakes helps you improve faster. In this guide, you will review important verb forms and tenses commonly taught at the pre-intermediate level. You will also test your knowledge and check the answers.

Let’s begin.

Part 1: Present Simple vs Present Continuous

These two tenses are often confused.

Present Simple

Used for routines and facts.

Structure:
Subject + base verb (+ s for he/she/it)

Example:

• She works every day.

Present Continuous

Used for actions happening now.

Structure:
Subject + am/is/are + verb + -ing

Example:

• She is working now.

Test 1: Choose the Correct Form

1. She ______ (work / is working) right now.

2. They ______ (play / are playing) football every Sunday.

3. I ______ (watch / am watching) TV at the moment.

4. He usually ______ (drink / is drinking) coffee in the morning.

Answers

1. is working

2. play

3. am watching

4. drinks

If you made mistakes, check the time expressions. Words like now and at the moment usually require the present continuous. Words like usually and every Sunday signal present simple.

Part 2: Past Simple Review

The past simple describes completed actions in the past.

Structure:
Subject + past verb (regular + -ed / irregular form)

Examples:

• I visited my friend yesterday.

• She went to school.

Test 2: Correct the Mistakes

1. I go to the store yesterday.

2. She didn’t went to work.

3. They was tired.

4. We saw him last night. (Correct or incorrect?)

Answers

1. I went to the store yesterday.

2. She didn’t go to work.

3. They were tired.

4. Correct

Remember: After “didn’t,” use the base form of the verb.

Part 3: Present Perfect Basics

The present perfect connects past actions to the present.

Structure:
Subject + have/has + past participle

Examples:

• I have finished my homework.

• She has visited London.

Common Confusion

Do not use present perfect with specific past time words like:

• Yesterday

• Last year

• In 2020

Incorrect:

• I have seen him yesterday. ❌

Correct:

• I saw him yesterday. ✅

Test 3: Fill in the Blanks

1. I ______ (have / has) finished my work.

2. She ______ (has / have) cleaned the room.

3. They ______ (have / has) seen that movie before.

4. He has went home. (Correct or incorrect?)

Answers

1. have

2. has

3. have

4. Incorrect → He has gone home.

“Gone” is the correct past participle of “go.”

Part 4: Future Forms (Will vs Going To)

At pre-intermediate level, learners study two common future forms.

Will

Used for:

• Decisions made at the moment

• Predictions

• Promises

Example:

• I will help you.

Going To

Used for:

• Plans

• Intentions

Example:

• I am going to visit my aunt tomorrow.

Test 4: Choose the Best Option

1. I forgot my wallet. I ______ pay you later.

2. She ______ start a new job next week. (plan)

3. Look at those clouds! It ______ rain.

Answers

1. will

2. is going to

3. is going to

Spontaneous decisions use “will.” Plans and strong evidence use “going to.”

Part 5: Common Verb Mistakes

Pre-intermediate learners often make these errors:

1. Forgetting Third Person “S”

Incorrect:

• She work every day. ❌

Correct:

• She works every day. ✅

2. Mixing Up Irregular Verbs

Incorrect:

• I have ate dinner. ❌

Correct:

• I have eaten dinner. ✅

3. Wrong Word Order in Questions

Incorrect:

• You are coming tomorrow? ❌

Correct:

• Are you coming tomorrow? ✅

Question structure matters.

Quick Self-Check Quiz

Correct these sentences:

1. She don’t like coffee.

2. I am go to school now.

3. They has finished the project.

4. We were watch TV last night.

Final Answers

1. She doesn’t like coffee.

2. I am going to school now.

3. They have finished the project.

4. We were watching TV last night.

If you corrected most of them, you are improving. If not, review the tense rules again.

How to Improve Faster

Testing alone is not enough. You must also practice daily.

Here are simple strategies:

• Write five sentences using different tenses every day.

• Speak aloud when practicing grammar.

• Review irregular verb lists regularly.

• Record yourself speaking and listen carefully.

Small daily corrections create strong long-term improvement.

Final Thoughts

Test it, Fix it. English Verbs and Tenses. Pre-Intermediate learning is about awareness and correction. When you test yourself, you discover mistakes. When you fix them, your grammar becomes stronger.

Focus on present simple, present continuous, past simple, present perfect, and future forms first. These tenses are used most often in everyday English.

Be patient with yourself. Grammar improves with practice and repetition. Step by step, your confidence will grow. Keep testing. Keep fixing. Keep improving.