EnglishCBSE Class 11 · Grammar: Gap Filling and Sentence Reordering or Transformation

Gap Filling (Class 11 English Core): Tenses and Clauses with Worked Examples

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

In gap filling, choose each verb form from the time clue and the aspect it needs (simple, continuous, perfect), and choose each linking word from what the clause expresses (person, thing, reason, contrast, condition, question). Read the whole sentence before filling the blank, and check subject-verb agreement. Each blank is worth 1 mark.

Spot the time clue first, then pick the tense it points to, and read the whole sentence before filling the blank.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Gap Filling: Tenses and Clauses with Worked Examples

Tenses: find the time clue. Words such as yesterday, last year and in 2015 point to the simple past. Since and for point to the present perfect (or perfect continuous). By the time and already point to the past perfect or future perfect depending on the main clause. While, when and at that moment often point to the continuous form.

Tenses: choose the aspect. Simple tenses describe habits and facts or completed actions. Continuous tenses describe an action in progress. Perfect tenses link two points in time. For example, "She has lived here since 2015" links the past to now, while "She lived here in 2015" is a finished past.

Subject-verb agreement. Choose a singular or plural form to match the subject, not the noun nearest to the verb.

Clauses: what does the clause express? A person: who or whom, or whose for possession. A thing: which or that. Reason: because, since. Contrast: although, though, whereas. Condition: if, unless. A question or doubt: whether, if. Time: when, while, as soon as.

Conditionals. In a real condition, use the simple present in the if-clause and will in the main clause. In an unreal present, use were or the simple past in the if-clause and would in the main clause.

Check. Read the finished sentence aloud; if it sounds wrong, check the clue again. Neighbouring topics (re-ordering and transformation) are on the chapter page.

Gap Filling: Tenses and Clauses with Worked Examples: key facts

Time clue to tense: yesterday
simple past; since or for
present perfect; Look at the clue first.
Clause linker: person
who; thing
which; contrast
although; condition
unless; Ask what the clause expresses.
If-clause rule: real
simple present + will; unreal
were or past + would; Use for conditionals.

How to answer Gap Filling: Tenses and Clauses with Worked Examples questions

Use this for any gap-filling passage.

1Read the whole sentence and find the time clue.
2Decide the tense and aspect, then form the verb.
3Check the subject for agreement.
4For a linker, decide what the clause expresses and choose the word.
5Read the sentence again to check it makes sense.

Gap Filling: Tenses and Clauses with Worked Examples in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Reading the clue like a detective

Suppose a notice says "The library has been closed since Monday." A student asks whether the library is open now.

How does the tense help to answer?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

"Since Monday" points to the present perfect.
It means the closure began on Monday.
The closure continues now.

Answer: The present perfect with "since" shows that the library was closed on Monday and is still closed now, so the student gets her answer from the tense alone.

Memory hook: Since means still.

Tricks to remember Gap Filling: Tenses and Clauses with Worked Examples

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

S-F-P
Since and For go with the Perfect.
Use it when: Present perfect clues.
P-T-C-R-C
Person who, Thing which, Contrast although, Reason because, Condition unless.
Use it when: Clause linkers.

Gap Filling: Tenses and Clauses with Worked Examples: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Since · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

She ___ in Mumbai since 2015.
(a) lives (b) has been living (c) lived (d) is living

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

"Since 2015" needs the present perfect continuous (1 mark).

Answer: (b) has been living

Example 2: By the time · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

By the time we reached the station, the train ___.
(a) left (b) has left (c) had left (d) was leaving

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The train left before we arrived, so use the past perfect (1 mark).

Answer: (c) had left

Example 3: Passage · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs: Last winter, while Rina (1)___ (walk) to school, she (2)___ (notice) a puppy that (3)___ (shiver) near the gate. She (4)___ (take) it home.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

(1) "while" and an action in progress: was walking (1).
(2) a completed action: noticed (1).
(3) in progress at that time: was shivering (1).
(4) a completed action: took (1).

Answer: (1) was walking (2) noticed (3) was shivering (4) took

Example 4: Clauses · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Fill in: (i) The girl ___ won the prize is my cousin. (ii) ___ it was raining, they played outside. (iii) You will fail ___ you work hard.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

(i) a person, subject of the clause: who (1).
(ii) contrast: Although (1).
(iii) negative condition: unless (1).

Answer: (i) who (ii) Although (iii) unless

Example 5: Error analysis · 3 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

A student wrote "He has gone to Delhi yesterday." Explain the error and correct it. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Spot the clue "yesterday" (1).
The present perfect cannot be used with a finished-time marker (1).
Correct sentence (1).

Answer: The sentence uses the present perfect with "yesterday", a word for a finished time. A finished time needs the simple past: "He went to Delhi yesterday."

Where students lose marks in Gap Filling: Tenses and Clauses with Worked Examples

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Ignoring the time clue
The clue decides the tense.
Wrong working
He has gone yesterday.
Right working
He went yesterday.
Do this: Underline the clue first.
Usually costs: 1 mark per blank.
Mistake: Wrong linker
Meaning decides it.
Wrong working
Although you work hard, you will fail.
Right working
Unless you work hard, you will fail.
Do this: Ask what the clause expresses.
Usually costs: 1 mark per blank.
Mistake: Agreement slip
Verb must match the subject.
Wrong working
The list of items are long.
Right working
The list of items is long.
Do this: Find the real subject.
Usually costs: 1 mark per blank.

Exam tips

Underline time clues before filling.
Use since and for with the perfect forms.
Check subject-verb agreement.
Choose linkers by meaning: person, thing, reason, contrast, condition.
Reread each finished sentence.

Practice questions on Gap Filling: Tenses and Clauses with Worked Examples

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
If I ___ a bird, I would fly to you.
(a) am (b) was (c) were (d) will be
Hint
This is an unreal condition.
Answer
(c) were
Q2 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Fill in: Every morning my grandfather (1)___ (go) for a walk. Yesterday, when he (2)___ (reach) the park, it (3)___ (rain) heavily, so he (4)___ (wait) under a tree.
Hint
Habit, completed action, action in progress, completed action.
Answer
(1) goes (2) reached (3) was raining (4) waited
Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Fill in: (i) The book ___ I borrowed was interesting. (ii) He stayed at home ___ he was ill. (iii) I do not know ___ she will come.
Hint
Thing, reason, doubt.
Answer
(i) which (or that) (ii) because (iii) whether
Q4 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Fill in: By next June, we (1)___ (complete) the syllabus. If we (2)___ (work) steadily, the teacher (3)___ (start) revision in May. Tomorrow at this time, I (4)___ (write) the mock test.
Hint
Future perfect, if-clause, future simple, future continuous.
Answer
(1) will have completed (2) work (3) will start (4) will be writing
Q5 · 3 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency
Explain the difference in meaning between "I have lived here for five years" and "I lived here for five years". (3 marks)
Hint
One is still true now.
Answer
The first sentence uses the present perfect, so the speaker still lives here and the period continues to now. The second uses the simple past, so the period is finished and the speaker no longer lives here.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.Which tense goes with since 2015?Show answer
Present perfect (continuous).
2.Which linker shows contrast?Show answer
Although or though.
3.Which word means if not?Show answer
Unless.
4.What follows if in an unreal present?Show answer
Were or the simple past, with would in the main clause.
5.How many marks per blank?Show answer
1 mark.

Gap Filling: Tenses and Clauses with Worked Examples: frequently asked questions

How many gap-filling questions are there?

They are part of the seven grammar marks; the chapter page gives the paper pattern.

Can I use that for who?

That can often replace who or which in a clause without commas, but who is the better choice for a person.

What if two answers seem right?

Check the time clue and the meaning; one usually fits better.