Exercises · Present tenses
Present simple or present continuous: match the sentence halves
Read the endings in each section, then choose the right ending for each sentence beginning. Look at the tenses as well as the meaning – some sections have one extra ending that doesn’t fit.
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
- Auntil the audit is finished.
- Bso I’ll join with audio only.
- Cto review our results.
- Dbut this month I’m working from London.
- E– the interviews are this week.
- Fbut this year we’re closing them early.
- Gwith the new supplier?
- Hand has clients in twelve countries.
1I normally work from the Prague office, …
2We usually close our accounts in March, …
3Apologies, my camera isn’t working, …
4Our company develops software for banks …
5We’re hiring two new analysts …
6I’m working late every evening …
7How often are you experiencing these delays …
8We normally meet the board once a quarter …
2. Charts and changes
Describing trends, figures and things that are changing.
Rules: 1.2 Charts and changes
- Ain the run-up to Christmas.
- Brevenue rises at the moment.
- Cis becoming more serious every week.
- Drevenue is rising steadily.
One ending doesn’t match any beginning.
1As you can see on this slide, …
2Our sales usually peak …
3The situation with our main supplier …
3. Stative verbs
Verbs like need, understand and sound – and the ones that change meaning.
Rules: 1.3 Verbs not used in continuous forms
- Areally interesting.
- Bbut the numbers support our decision.
- Cso let’s restart at eleven.
- Dtwo more weeks to finish the report.
- Ethe final version of the contract.
1I understand your concerns, …
2This email contains …
3We need …
4Your proposal sounds …
5We’re having a quick break, …
4. Mixed review
Everything together, the way it comes up in real meetings.
Rules: all present tenses lessons
- Aso our imports are becoming more expensive.
- Band we apologise for the inconvenience.
- Cis too complicated for new clients.
- Dso we rarely meet in person.
- Ebecause it could cut our costs.
1I think the pricing model …
2We’re considering moving production abroad …
3The euro is falling against the dollar, …
4Our team works across two time zones, …
5We’re experiencing some technical difficulties at the moment, …
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.
Advanced Premium Course
The Fluency Space CEO Package
Enjoyed this lesson? Take your business English further with a structured 3-month programme designed specifically for senior executives.
Our Coaches - A Passion For Business and Language
Mike Beattie
Executive Business English and Leadership Communication
10 years' experience
From €40/hour
Over 10 years, I have helped professionals across Europe and Asia. Learn more...
David Cox
Executive Business English and Leadership Communication
14 years' experience
From €50/hour
I have a passion for business and a background in linguistics.. Learn more...
Nezha Essouaf
Executive Presentation and Entrepreneur English
10 years' experience
From €40/hour
My coaching is designed for ambitious professionals and entrepreneurs. Learn more...
IN-DEPTH PROPOSAL BUILT WITH CARE
A Course Built around you
After your full English audit, we do a deep dive into your company, your role and your real communication goals - We then build a fully tailored program around them and send a proposal within 3 working days.
© Copyright Fluency Space. All Rights Reserved
OptimizePress Popup Overlay
the fluency space acadademy
Be one of the first 50 to join and get a huge discount!
Your advanced English training center. Over 600 pages of PDFs. over 250 diagrams and hundreds of exercises. 32 Vocabulary lessons covering the 400 most important phrases for advanced Business, 2x monthly Adapted Business English texts, 2x monthly YouTube listening lessons, 'How to Use English Verb Tenses in Business' textbook.
All of this and much more for only $5.99 per month. Cancel anytime!
