Progressive and perfect tense | Exit Quiz | Oak National Academy

Which word is the auxiliary verb in this sentence? 'They have finished all their work.'

• they

• have

• finished

• all

• their

Answer explanation

'Finished' is the main verb in this sentence and 'have' is the auxiliary verb. This sentence is written in the perfect present tense.

Which word is the auxiliary verb in this sentence? 'I am brushing my hair.'

• I

• am

• brushing

• my

• hair

Answer explanation

'Brushing' is the main verb in this sentence and 'am' is the auxiliary verb. This sentence is written in the present progressive tense.

Which suffix does the main verb in the progressive tense always end with?

• -ly

• -ing

• -ed

Answer explanation

The main verb in the progressive tense always ends with -ing. The auxiliary verb from the infinitive 'to be' tells us if it is written in the past, present or future form.

The main verb in the perfect tense is always in which tense?

• present

• past

• future

Answer explanation

The main verb in a perfect tense sentence is always in the past tense. The auxiliary verb from the infinitive 'to have' tells us if it is written in the past, present or future form.

Match the tense to the sentence.

• progressive present tense

• I am tidying my room.

• perfect present tense

• I tidy my room.

• simple present tense

• I have tidied my room.

Answer explanation

'I have tidied my room.' is in the perfect present tense: 'have' is the auxiliary verb and 'tidied' is the main verb. 'I am tidying my room.' is in the progressive present tense: 'am' is the auxiliary verb and 'tidying' is the main verb.

Which of the following sentences is written in the perfect present tense?

• She has curly hair.

• They have carried it all the way here.

• I have a friend.

• We are helping each other.

Answer explanation

'They have carried it all they way here.' is written in the perfect present tense: 'have' is the auxiliary verb and 'carried' is the main verb.