VERB TENSES – KEY WORD TRANSFORMATIONS
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not
change the word given in bold. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. Type your answer
in CAPITAL LETTERS and don’t use contractions.
1. The last time I saw my best friend was three weeks ago.
LAST
It is three weeks __________________________________________ my best friend.
2. Ian started smoking a few months ago.
BEEN
Ian ____________________________________________ a few months.
3. The Browns have been living in Seattle for three years.
CAME
The Browns __________________________________________ three years ago.
4. I met my boss a year ago.
HAS
It __________________________________________ I met my boss.
5. I have not travelled abroad since last summer.
LAST
__________________________________________ abroad was last summer.
6. Joseph has played the saxophone for ten years.
STARTED
Joseph __________________________________________ ten years ago.
7. I last played chess a week ago.
FOR
I __________________________________________ a week.
8. The last time William saw a doctor was in 2018.
SEEN
William __________________________________________ since 2018.
9. James has not drunk alcohol since last Christmas.
STOPPED
James _________________________________________________________
10. My sister met her boyfriend two months ago.
HAS
My sister __________________________________________two months.
11. It is the second time Mika has performed in Galicia.
TWICE
Mika _____________________________________________________________
12. First Bob finished his homework. Then he read a comic.
HAD
Before Bob read a comic, he ________________________________________________
13. The news finished before we switched on the TV.
BY
__________________________________________ on the TV, the news had already finished.
14. We have never visited Bath before.
EVER
It’s the first time we _______________________________________________
15. It is the most interesting novel that I have ever read.
NEVER
I __________________________________________________ an interesting novel.
16. When did they move to Liverpool?
LONG
___________________________________________________ they moved to Liverpool?
17. My best friend has been studying Japanese for six months.
BEGAN
____________________________________________________ Japanese six months ago.
18. This is the first time I have read this magazine.
NEVER
I have ______________________________________________________
19. We have never been in this situation before.
IT
_________________________________________________ we have been in this situation.
20. They had never visited a larger city.
WAS
_________________________________________________ they had ever visited.
21. It was the tastiest omelette I had ever eaten.
SUCH
I ___________________________________________________ tasty omelette.
22. How long have you been studying English?
BEGIN
_________________________________________________ English?
23. Kelly washed the dishes and then she turned the radio on.
AFTER
Kelly turned the radio on _________________________________________________ the dishes.
24. After Scott had arrived home, he fed the dog.
WHEN
Scott fed the dog _____________________________________________________
25. Rose put the children to bed and then she watched a film.
SOON
As __________________________________________________ the children to bed, she watched a film.
26. Oliver made breakfast and then he texted his girlfriend.
AFTER
_____________________________________________________, he texted his girlfriend.
27. In those days we spent the summer in the mountains.
TO
In those days _________________________________________________ the summer in the mountains.
28. It was the most beautiful song I have ever listened to.
SUCH
I ____________________________________________________ a beautiful song before.
29. My brother played football almost every day when he was young.
PLAY
My brother _________________________________________________ almost every day when he was young.
30. Liam left before my arrival.
WHEN
__________________________________________________ already left.
