Tenses - Class 8 English - Extra Questions

Whenever we ........... we talk of old times. (To meet.)

Answer: Whenever we meet we talk of old times.
Explanation: Here, the sentence tells about the habitual action of meeting. Thus, we write simple present form of the verb.


I do it because I ........... to. (To choose.)

I do it because I choose to.

Here, the simple present tense of the verb 'choose' is used as the rest of the sentence is in the simple present tense. Present tense is used to give instructions, permission or directions, habits, universal truths, unchanging situations and fixed arrangements. Here the speaker's habitual action is shown so it will be in simple present tense.


I would die before I ........  (To lie).

I would die before I lie.

The sentence will use the simple present tense of the verb "lie" as the sentence is talking about a fixed plan shown using a time clause "before".
Here 'would' is used to show comparison or intention, that is, the speaker would rather die than lie.


He locked the papers up so that they .......... be safe. (may or might)

Answer: He locked the papers up so that they might be safe.

Here 'might' will be the correct answer as it is used in hypothetical situations or something speculated to perhaps happen in future. While might is used in sentences that are more hypothetical in nature, may is used for situations that are possible. It is hypothetical that the papers he locked will be safe, so "might" is used here.


He rested his horse, for it ........ (To limp.)

He rested his horse, for it limped.

Here, simple past tense of the verb 'limp', that is, 'limped' is used as the sentence is in simple past tense, here 'for' is used to mean 'because'. The sentence means that he rested the horse as it was limping.


We shall wait here until you ......... (To come.)

We shall wait here until you come.

Here simple present tense of the verb 'come' is used, here until is a conditional conjunction which takes the verb in present tense as we use the simple present tense in the conditional clause and simple future tense in the main clause.


I forgive you since you ........... (To repent.)

I forgive you since you repent.

Here, the simple present tense of the verb 'repent' is used as the sentence is in the simple present tense, here 'since' is used to mean 'because'. The sentence means that the speaker forgives the listener because he/she already repents.


He labours hard so that he ............ become rich. (may or might ?)

He labours hard so that he may become rich.

Here 'may' will be the correct answer as it is used in situations that are somewhat possible in future. While might is used in hypothetical situations or something speculated to perhaps happen in future. Might is used in sentences that are more hypothetical in nature. It is somewhat possible that he will become rich as he works hard so 'may' is used.


They come to see us as often as they ........... (Can or could ?)

They come to see us as often as they can.

Here, the simple present tense of the verb 'can' is used as the rest of the sentence is in the simple present tense. The present tense is used to give instructions, permission or directions, habits, universal truths, unchanging situations and fixed arrangements. Here habitual action is being talked about of them visiting the speakers, so simple present tense is used.


You may sit wherever you .........  (To like.)

You may sit wherever you like.

Here, the simple present tense of the verb 'like' is used as the rest of the sentence is in the simple present tense. Present tense is used to give instructions, permission or directions, habits, universal truths, unchanging situations and fixed arrangements. Here the speaker is giving the listener permission to sit any he/she wishes to, so simple present tense is used.


He went to Kolkata so that he ........ find work. (may or might)

He went to Kolkata so that he might find work.

Here 'might' will be the correct answer as it is used in hypothetical situations or something speculated to perhaps happen in future. While might is used in sentences that are more hypothetical in nature, may is used for situations that are possible Might is used in sentences that are more hypothetical in nature. It is hypothetical that he will find work in Kolkata, so "might" is used here.


What strikes me is the generosity of the offer.

What struck me is the generosity of the offer. 

In the given sentence, 'strikes' is the main verb, which is in simple present tense.

To change the above mentioned verb to the past tense, we will write the sentence in the simple past tense and use the second form of the verb 'strike'. As 'strike' is an irregular verb, its second form will be 'struck'.


He drives a roaring trade.

He drove a roaring trade. 

In the given sentence, 'drives' is the main verb, which is in the simple present tense.

To change the above mentioned verb to the past tense, we will write the sentence in the simple past tense and use the second form of the verb 'drive' with the singular subject 'he'. As 'drive' is an irregular verb, its second form will be 'drove'.


The kite flies gaily into the air.

The kite flew gaily into the air. 

In the given sentence, 'flies' is the main verb, which is in simple present tense.

To change the above mentioned verb to the past tense, we will write the sentence in the simple past tense and use the second form of the verb 'fly' with the singular subject 'kite'. As 'fly' is an irregular verb, its second form will be 'flew'.


He ___ freely when he had drunk alcohol. Marathi is ___ in Maharashtra. (speak)

He spoke freely when he had drunk alcohol. Marathi is spoken in Maharashtra.

He spoke freely when he had drunk alcohol.
Past Tense: Past tense verbs are used to indicate an action, event or condition that has happened in the past.
Here simple past tense will be used, that is the V2 of the verb 'speak' which is 'spoke'.

Marathi is spoken in Maharashtra.
Past Participle: Past Participle used to indicate the actions that took place before some point of time in the past. Past participle uses the V3 form of the verb. It does not stand alone and uses an auxiliary before it.
Since 'is' is written, the sentence is in passive voice, so the V3 form of the verb 'speak' is used, i.e., 'spoken'.


We thought her dying when she ___. (sleep)

We thought her dying when she slept.

Past Tense: Past tense verbs are used to indicate an action, event or condition that has happened in the past.
Here simple past tense will be used, that is the V2 of the verb 'sleep' which is 'slept'.


He comes of a good line.

He came of a good line. 

In the given sentence, 'comes' is the main verb, which is in simple present tense.

To change the above mentioned verb to the past tense, we will write the sentence in the simple past tense and use the second form of the verb 'come' with the singular subject 'he'. As 'come' is an irregular verb, its second form will be 'came'. 


His enemies ___ over his fall. (crow)

His enemies crowed / crew over his fall. 


Past Tense: Past tense verbs are used to indicate an action, event or condition that has happened in the past.
Here, simple past tense will be used, as there is not 'have' auxiliary present before the blank. Therefore, the V2 of the verb 'crow' is used here, i.e., crew/crowed.



He was ___ through with a javelin. (thrust)

He was thrusted through with a javelin.

Past Participle: Past Participle used to indicate the actions that took place before some point of time in the past. Past participle uses the V3 form of the verb. 
The sentence is written in a passive voice which is written using the following construction:
auxilliary verb + past participle form of the verb (V3)
Therefore, the V3 form of the verb 'thrust' is used in this sentence, i.e., thrusted.


He has ___ his collar-bone. (break)

He has broken his collar-bone.

Past Participle: Past Participle used to indicate the actions that took place before some point of time in the past. Past participle uses the V3 form of the verb. It does not stand alone and uses an auxiliary before it.
Since 'has' is written, the sentence is in present perfect form, so the V3 form of the verb 'break' is used, i.e., 'broken'.


Blank (a): 
(i) was launching
(ii) has been launching
(iii) launched
(iv) was launched

The Youth Club of our school launched a green initiative in the school for a week. The function was inaugurated by the Chief Minister. Placards were displayed and saplings planted by the students. The students tried to create awareness by staging street plays.


Adam and his wife ___ themselves from the presence of the Lord God. (hide)

Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God. 

Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God. 
Past Tense: Past tense verbs are used to indicate an action, event or condition that has happened in the past.
Here simple past tense will be used, that is the V2 of the verb 'hide' which is hide.


He has ___ hold of the wrong end of the stick. (get)

He has gotten hold of the wrong end of the stick.

Past Participle: Past Participle used to indicate the actions that took place before some point of time in the past. Past participle uses the V3 form of the verb. It does not stand alone and uses an auxiliary before it.
Since 'has' is written, the sentence is in present perfect form, so the V3 form of the verb 'get' is used, i.e., 'gotten'.


He ___ up by appealing to the audience to contribute to the fund. (wind)

He wound up by appealing to the audience to contribute to the fund.

Past Tense: Past tense verbs are used to indicate an action, event or condition that has happened in the past.
Wound is the main verb of the clause, and no auxiliary is present. Therefore, here simple past tense will be used, that is the V2 of the verb 'wind' which is wound.


I ___ I was in love again. (dream)

I dreamt I was in love again.

Past tense is the tense that indicates an event has occurred in the past.
Past participle is a form of a verb that is formed generally using '-ed' at the end of the base form of the verb, or v3 of the verb. It is used in perfect tenses and passive voice. It is preceded by an auxiliary verb such as variations of 'is' or 'has'. It cannot stand alone.
Here, 'dreamt' is the main verb of the sentence and it is standing alone, so past tense is used.


I have ____ a million tears. (weep)

I have wept a million tears.

Past tense is the tense that indicates an event has occurred in the past.
Past participle is a form of a verb that is formed generally using '-ed' at the end of the base form of the verb, or v3 of the verb. It is used in perfect tenses and passive voice. It is preceded by an auxiliary verb such as variations of 'is' or 'has'. It cannot stand alone.
Here, 'wept' has the auxiliary verb 'have' preceding it, so past participle is used.


The story is tediously ___ out. (spin)

The story is tediously spun out.

Past tense is the tense that indicates an event has occurred in the past.
Past participle is a form of a verb that is formed generally using '-ed' at the end of the base form of the verb, or v3 of the verb. It is used in perfect tenses and passive voice. It is preceded by an auxiliary verb such as variations of 'is' or 'has'. It cannot stand alone.
Here, 'spun' is used as past participle, as the sentence is in passive voice and the verb is followed by the auxiliary 'is'.


Blank (b):
(i) give (ii) gives (iii) gave (iv) giving

The school decided to withdraw the facility of giving additional answer sheets during tests to cut down on expenses.


Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb given in the bracket:
If you run fast, you ________ (catch) the bus.

Since the 'if' conditional clause is in the present tense, the next clause should be in the future tense to refer to something that will happen in the future if the given condition is fulfilled.
If you run fast, you will catch the bus.


Rewrite the following sentence using the Simple Future tense:
This requires an exercise of will.

The given sentence is in Simple Present tense. 'Requires' is a simple present tense verb that states a general truth.
When changing the tense of the sentence, the verb form will be changed. The Simple Future verb form is: will require.
Hence the answer is:
This will require an exercise of will.


Which form of the verb is more natural in these sentences? Encircle your choice.

(a) Im not free this evening. I will work/am working on a project.
(b) Have you decided where you will go for your higher secondary? Yes, I have. I will go/ am going to the Kendriya Vidyalaya.
(c) Dont worry about the dog. It wont hurt/isnt hurting you
(d) The weatherman has predicted that it will snow/is snowing in Ranikhet tonight.
(e) Swapna cant go out this evening. Her father will come/is coming to see her.

(a) am working
(b) am going
(c) won’t hurt
(d) will snow
(e) is coming


Fill in  the blank with the Future Continuous form of the verb given in the bracket:
He _________not _________  his friends. (cheat)

The future continuous tense describes an action that will happen in the future in the continuous form. An action can be short (simple tense) or can continue for a longer period of time. The given question calls for a continuous tense form.
The verb form in future continuous tense is: will be + verb-ing
The given verb is 'cheat'. Also, the sentence is in negative form 'not'. When the sentence is negative, the verb form is: will not be + verb-ing
So, the form here is: will not be cheating
Hence the answer is:
He will not be cheating his friends.


Complete the sentence with the correct form of the word given in brackets:

The principal ..................... (distribute) the annual prizes tomorrow.

We use simple future tense to talk about an action that will happen in definite future, like tomorrow. Hence, "will distribute" is the correct form of the verb. 


Class 8 English Extra Questions