Exercises · Present tenses
Present simple or present continuous gap-fill
Type the correct present tense of the verb in brackets. Contractions (we’re, isn’t) and full forms (we are, is not) are both accepted.
Need a refresher? Review the one rule: permanent or temporary, charts and changes and verbs not used in continuous forms in our Verb Tenses in Business guide.
1. Permanent or temporary
Your role or your current project? A general habit or a temporary one? Includes negatives and questions.
Rules: 1.1 One rule: permanent or temporary
1I (lead) the procurement team at a logistics company.
2This month we (prepare) for the annual audit.
3Apologies, my camera (not work) at the moment.
4Our bank (charge) a fixed fee for every international transfer.
5We (negotiate) a new contract with the supplier, so prices may change.
6I (travel) to Frankfurt every week until the merger is complete.
7The client (not answer) our emails this week, which is unusual.
8We usually (review) our pricing once a year.
2. Charts and changes
Describing trends, figures and things that are changing.
Rules: 1.2 Charts and changes
1Look at the chart: our market share (grow) month by month.
2Interest rates (rise) at the moment, so borrowing is more expensive.
3The economy (become) more unstable.
3. Stative verbs
Verbs like need, understand and sound – and the ones that change meaning.
Rules: 1.3 Verbs not used in continuous forms
1I (not understand) why the costs are so high.
2This contract (include) a three-year warranty.
3We (want) to increase our output next year.
4Your plan (look) good, but I have a few questions.
5Can I call you back? We (have) a discussion about the budget right now.
4. Mixed review
Everything together, the way it comes up in real meetings.
Rules: all present tenses lessons
1I (think) about changing suppliers, but I haven’t decided yet.
2In my view, the market (need) more competition.
3Oil prices (fall) sharply this week.
4Our company (employ) 250 people in three countries.
5Sorry, we (have) technical problems today – the system is down.
Check a section to see your score here.
More practice
Correct on paper is not the same as natural in the boardroom
One-to-one Business English coaching for C1/C2 executives and founders.
Use the present simple and present continuous to discuss current economic patterns in our advanced Business English reading lesson on the flying geese economic model.
Alternatively, test your use of the present simple and present continuous tenses in discussing skill level, competency and self assessment in our Business English reading lesson about the Dunning-Kruger effect, a psychological barrier for leaders and executives.
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