Mastering the right form of the verbs is essential for correct English grammar, sentence structure, and syntax. This comprehensive guide features ten practical exercises with detailed answers to help students test their knowledge of tense rules, conditional clauses, and subject-verb agreement.
What is the Right Form of the Verbs?
Applying the right form of verbs requires strict adherence to tense consistency, voice, and grammatical concord. Practice tests allow learners to evaluate their command over complex sentence structures and everyday grammar rules.
EXERCISE 1: USE OF THE RIGHT FORM OF THE VERBS
(a) When the mariner (wake up) it was raining.
(b) We are none of us (get) any younger.
(c) Why (be) you not with her?
(d) I'm me, without my hair, (be) not I?
(e) Had you invited me earlier I (attend) the party.
Answers for Exercise 1
(a) When the mariner woke up it was raining.
(b) We are none of us getting any younger.
(c) Why are you not with her?
(d) I'm me, without my hair, ain't I?
(e) Had you invited me earlier I Would attend the party.
EXERCISE 2: USE OF THE RIGHT FORM OF THE VERBS
(a) They cursed him and (to hang) the dead albatross round his neck.
(b) | (to startle) when the bill of fare was brought.
(c) He said that he (to go) there the next day.
(d) If I had any sense, I (to grow) out of this type of reading.
(e) It's sold, I tell you (to sell) and gone.
Answers for Exercise 2
(a) They cursed him and hung the dead albatross round his neck.
(b) I was startled when the bill of fare was brought.
(c) He said that he would go there the next day.
(d) If I had any sense, I would grow out of this type of reading.
(e) It's sold, I tell you sold and gone.
EXERCISE 3: USE OF THE RIGHT FORM OF THE VERBS
(a) I (not suppose) to know about it.
(b) The dog (lie) close to Jerry and found a comfort there.
(c) We expected that Bangladesh (win) the world cup cricket.
(d) If some one had not mentioned her name I hardly think I (recognise) him.
(e) But I wondered what the bill (come) to.
Answers for Exercise 3
(a) I was not supposed to know about it.
(b) The dog lay close to Jerry and found a comfort there.
(c) We expected that Bangladesh would win the world cup cricket.
(d) If some one had not mentioned her name I hardly think I would have recognised him.
(e) But I wondered what the bill would come to.
EXERCISE 4: USE OF THE RIGHT FORM OF THE VERBS
(a) The prices were a great deal higher than I (anticipate).
(b) When he woke up, it (rain).
(c) I am going (eat) only one thing.
(d) I'll pay you now for what you (do)
(e) The quality of the mangoes (be) not good.
Answers for Exercise 4
(a) The prices were a great deal higher than I had anticipated.
(b) When he woke up, it was raining
(c) I am going to eat only one thing.
(d) I'll pay you now for what you have done.
(e) The quality of the mangoes is not good.
EXERCISE 5: USE OF THE RIGHT FORM OF THE VERBS
(a) You not (like) me, just as well any how? (b) I (not suppose) to know about it.
(c) I (give) her a little luncheon at Foyot's.
(d) When he woke up it (rain).
(e) if I had any sense I (grow) out of this type of reading.
Answers for Exercise 5
(a) Do you not like me, just as well any how?
(b) I was not supposed to know about it.
(c) I gave her a little luncheon at Foyot's.
(d) When he woke up it was raining.
(e) If I had any sense II would grow out of this type of reading.
EXERCISE 6: USE OF THE RIGHT FORM OF THE VERBS
(a) But I have (have) my revenge at last.
(b) Expenses (be) greater than she had calculated.
(c) Why you (not come) yesterday?
(d) If you (come), I would have gone.
(e) I decided that I (not leave) the nountains without seeing her.
Answers for Exercise 6
(a) But I have had my revenge at last.
(b) Expenses had been greater than she had calculated.
(c) Why did you not come yesterday?
(d) If you had come I would have gone.
(e) I decided that I should not leave the mountains without seeing her.
EXERCISE 7: USE OF THE RIGHT FORM OF THE VERBS
(a) You not (like) me just as well any how?
(b) If your brother had come to see my father, he (be) happy.
(c) He got his work (do) on payment.
(d) I feel (to relieve).
(e) They can't let any boy (to keep) a puppy.
Answers for Exercise 7
(a) Do you not like me just as well any how?
(b) If your brother had come to see my father, he would have been happy.
(c) He got his work done on payment.
(d) I feel relieved.
(e) They can't let any boy keep a puppy.
EXERCISE 8: USE OF THE RIGHT FORM OF THE VERBS
(a) They cursed him and (hang) the dead albatross round his neck.
(b) I (startle) when the bill of fare was brought.
(c) If I had any sense, I (grow) out of this type of reading.
(d) He could not help (do) it.
(e) She (save) every penny she could for months.
Answers for Exercise 8
(a) They cursed him and hung the dead albatross round his neck.
(b) I was startled when the bill of fare was brought.
(c) If I had any sense, I would grow out this type of reading.
(d) He could not help doing it.
(e) She had been saving every penny she could for months.
EXERCISE 9: USE OF THE RIGHT FORM OF THE VERBS
(a) I answered that I (meet) my friend on Thursday.
(b) At first the sound of the boy (drag) brush annoyed me.
(c) Jerry (be) at the orphanage since he was four.
(d) Things (do) by halves are never done right.
(e) Della went to work (repair) the ravages.
Answers for Exercise 9
(a) I answered that I would meet my friend on Thursday.
(b) At first the sound of the boy dragging brush annoyed me.
(c) Jerry had been at the orphanage since he was four.
(d) Things done by halves are never done right.
(e) Della went to work repairing the ravages.
EXERCISE 10: USE OF THE RIGHT FORM OF THE VERBS
(a) I saw him (go) up over the hill.
(b) It (be) twenty years ago.
(c) One should read only what one (like).
(d) The colour of his eyes (be) grey.
(e) The lesson can (learn) by the children.
Answers for Exercise 10
(a) I saw him going up over the hill.
(b) It was twenty years ago.
(c) One should read only what one likes.
(d) The colour of his eyes is grey.
(e) The lesson can be learnt by the children.
Key Takeaways
- Verb forms must consistently reflect the correct tense of past actions, ongoing states, or future plans.
- Conditional sentence structures (such as third conditionals with past perfect) require specific auxiliary verb combinations in the main clause.
- Subject-verb agreement ensures singular and plural nouns match their corresponding verb forms correctly.
Quick Practice
Try solving this exercise and write your answer in the comments: What is the correct form of the verb in brackets? "When he woke up, it (rain)." Share your explanations below!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I practice the right form of the verbs?
You can practice by working through targeted grammatical exercises that cover conditional clauses, reported speech, tense consistency, and subject-verb agreement rules.
Why are verb forms important in sentence structure?
Using correct verb forms ensures clarity, logical timeline consistency, and grammatical accuracy across all types of written and spoken English.