How to use this quiz
- Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb shown in [brackets].
- Type the full verb phrase (for example: has called, had sent, or called).
- See the correct answer after each try.
- You can restart the quiz or try missed questions again.
- Some questions include hints to help you choose the expected tense.
Disclaimer
English verb tenses are complicated, even for native speakers.
Sometimes more than one answer is possible, and in everyday English several answers may sound correct.
This quiz only accepts one answer, but that does not mean other forms are "wrong." Please note: I am not an English teacher, only a native speaker making a practice tool.
Some answers here might differ from what your teacher, class, or official exam materials prefer.
Use this quiz only for extra practice, not as an official source of grammar instruction.
Why practice verb tenses?
English verb tenses show time and order of actions.
This quiz focuses on the difference between:
- Simple past → for a finished action in the past
- Present perfect → for an action that connects to now
- Past perfect → for an action that happened before another past action
Simple Past: She called yesterday.
Present Perfect: She has called many times so far.
Past Perfect: She had called before the meeting started.
Useful tips
Why this is tricky
- In real English, both simple past and past perfect are often possible.
Example: They left before I arrived ✅ vs. They had left before I arrived ✅ - In speech, native speakers often use the simpler tense.
- On tests like TOEIC, the context usually pushes toward one "best" answer (e.g., by the time → past perfect, so far → present perfect).
- That means sometimes the quiz answer will feel less "natural" but is the preferred test answer.
About "already"
- In English, already often makes perfect tenses sound more natural:
She has already finished the report. - In this quiz, do not type "already" - it is not part of what we're testing (the verb tense itself).
- Just know that in real life, native speakers often use it.
Simple Past
- Use for a finished action in the past
- Example: He sent the email yesterday.
Present Perfect (has/have + past participle)
- Use when the time is not exact or the action affects now
- Often with words like so far, ever, never, since, yet
- Example: She has finished her work.
Past Perfect (had + past participle)
- Use for an action that happened before another past action
- Often with words like by the time, before, after
- Example: They had left when I arrived.
Examples
- I had met the client before the presentation.
- He has submitted the report (present result).
- We sent the documents yesterday.
- She has never used this software before.
- The meeting had started when we entered.