Free interactive worksheet to practice mixed English tenses (present, past, future). Includes 10+ exercises with answers for B1 level ESL learners. Perfect for teachers and students.
Mixed Tenses Practice Worksheet
This comprehensive worksheet provides practice with mixed English tenses (present, past, and future) through various engaging exercises. Designed for intermediate (B1) ESL learners, it includes gap-fill activities, sentence rewriting, and real-life scenario practice. Mastering mixed tenses is essential for fluent English communication, as we often combine different time references in daily conversations and writing.
English Tenses Overview
Before practicing mixed tenses, let’s review the main English tenses and their typical uses:
| Tense | Form | Example | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | V1 / V1+s | I work / She works | Habits, facts, general truths |
| Present Continuous | am/is/are + V-ing | I am working | Actions happening now, temporary situations |
| Past Simple | V2 | I worked | Completed actions in the past |
| Past Continuous | was/were + V-ing | I was working | Actions in progress at a specific past time |
| Present Perfect | have/has + V3 | I have worked | Experiences, unfinished time, recent past |
| Future Simple | will + V1 | I will work | Predictions, spontaneous decisions |
Quick Tip: Time Expressions
Time expressions often indicate which tense to use. For example: “every day” (present simple), “now” (present continuous), “yesterday” (past simple), “since 2020” (present perfect), “tomorrow” (future).
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Tense
Select the appropriate tense for each sentence from the options provided.
1. I English every Tuesday and Thursday.
2. Look! It heavily now.
3. She in London since 2015.
4. While I dinner, the phone rang.
5. They to Paris next summer.
Answers:
1. study (Present Simple for regular actions)
2. is raining (Present Continuous for actions happening now)
3. has lived (Present Perfect for actions continuing from past to present)
4. was cooking (Past Continuous for interrupted past actions)
5. will go (Future Simple for future plans)
Exercise 2: Gap Fill with Mixed Tenses
Complete the text with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
Yesterday, while I to work, I an old friend. We for years, so we to have coffee together. She me that she at a new company since January. Right now, she for a new apartment because her current lease next month.
Answers:
1. was walking (Past Continuous for background action)
2. saw (Past Simple for completed action)
3. hadn’t met (Past Perfect for action before another past action)
4. decided (Past Simple for completed action)
5. told (Past Simple for completed action)
6. had been working (Past Perfect Continuous for action continuing up to another past action)
7. is looking (Present Continuous for current temporary action)
8. expires (Present Simple for scheduled future event)
Common Mistakes with Mixed Tenses
1. Incorrect: I am living here since 2010. Correct: I have lived here since 2010.
2. Incorrect: While I watched TV, the phone was ringing. Correct: While I was watching TV, the phone rang.
3. Incorrect: She will call you when she will arrive. Correct: She will call you when she arrives.
4. Incorrect: I work here for five years. Correct: I have worked here for five years.
5. Incorrect: He said he is busy now. Correct: He said he was busy then.
Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes
Each sentence contains one tense error. Identify and correct it.
1. She is believing in ghosts since childhood.
2. When I saw him, he wears a blue jacket.
3. By the time we arrived, the film already started.
4. I will call you when I will get home.
5. They are married for ten years.
Answers:
1. She has believed in ghosts since childhood. (state verb + duration = present perfect)
2. When I saw him, he was wearing a blue jacket. (past continuous for action in progress)
3. By the time we arrived, the film had already started. (past perfect for action before another past action)
4. I will call you when I get home. (present simple in time clauses for future)
5. They have been married for ten years. (present perfect for duration)
Exercise 4: Mixed Tenses in Context
Complete the email with the correct verb forms.
Dear Maria,
I to tell you about my plans. Next month, I to a new apartment. I for a place since January, and finally I one last week.
Right now, I my things. Yesterday while I through my books, I those photos from our trip to Spain. Do you remember? We such a great time!
Let me know when you free to meet up before I leave.
Best,
Anna
Answers:
1. am writing (Present Continuous for action happening now)
2. am moving (Present Continuous for future arrangement)
3. have been looking (Present Perfect Continuous for action continuing up to now)
4. found (Past Simple for completed action)
5. am packing (Present Continuous for action happening now)
6. was sorting (Past Continuous for background action)
7. found (Past Simple for completed action)
8. had (Past Simple for completed action in the past)
9. are (Present Simple in time clause for future)