GRAMMAR / Most common academic tenses

Academic Grammar

What are the most common tenses in academic English?

According to corpus research, in academic writing, the four tenses used the most often are present simple, past simple, present perfect simple and future simple (will) (Biber et al., 1999; Caplan, 2012).
80% – 85% of academic and technical English is in the present, including passives (Source: Longman Grammar of Written and Spoken English).

Academic Grammar Video

A short 7 minute video on the four most common tenses in academic English

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Academic Grammar 1: the four most common tenses in academic English [new 2021]

This lesson focuses on the four tenses: past simple, present simple, present perfect simple and future simple (will). It includes a language review of each tense, sentence level and paragraph level practice exercises. It also includes a freer writing practice at the end (with example paragraph). See worksheet example Time: 120mins. Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Academic Grammar Language Review

Present Simple

Past Simple

Present Perfect Simple

Future Simple (will)

Active to Passive Constructions (past simple, present simple, present perfect simple, future simple)

Exercise 1: Present simple vs past simple

Task: Identify the mistakes in the following sentences. Not all are incorrect.

1.The online payment system Stripe was a trustworthy payment processor.

2.In the UK, the first zero-waste shop opened in 2017.

3.Google, YouTube and Facebook combined received more than 150 billion visits per month.

1.The online payment system Stripe ~~was~~ is a trustworthy payment processor. incorrect

2.In the UK, the first zero-waste shop opened in 2017. correct

3.Google, YouTube and Facebook combined ~~received~~ receive more than 150 billion visits per month. incorrect

For a detailed worksheet and more exercises – buy the download below.

Exercise 2: Present simple vs present perfect

Task: Highlight the correct form of the verb.

1.According to the BBC, almost 24,000 students apply/have applied to study medicine at UK universities next September.

2.Homeopathy uses/has used diluted substances which cause the body to heal itself.

3.Approximately 10% of the world’s population is believed/has been believed to be left-handed.

1.According to the BBC, almost 24,000 students ~~apply~~ / have applied to study medicine at UK universities next September.

2.Homeopathy uses / ~~has used~~ diluted substances which cause the body to heal itself.

3.Approximately 10% of the world’s population is believed / ~~has been believed~~ to be left-handed.

For a detailed worksheet and more exercises – buy the download below.

Exercise 3: Past simple vs present perfect simple

Task: Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1.Green tea ________________________ a significant trend in the West. (become)

2.Dave Asprey _______________the first biohacking facility ‘upgrade labs’ in 2017. (set up)

3.PayPal charging customers whose accounts are inactive. (begin)

1.Green tea _______has become_______ a significant trend in the West. (become)

2.Dave Asprey ______set up_____the first biohacking facility ‘upgrade labs’ in 2017. (set up)

3.PayPal ________has begun_______ charging customers whose accounts are inactive. (begin)

For a detailed worksheet and more exercises – buy the download below.

Exercise 4: Present simple vs future simple (will)

Task: Highlight the correct option. If both are correct, highlight them both.

1.This essay argues/will argue that physical banks will disappear completely in the next decade.

2.In 2025, healthcare systems will adopt/adopt more preventative health approaches.

3.These findings suggest that more in-depth research in this field is required/will be required.

1.This essay argues/will argue that physical banks will disappear completely in the next decade. (both)

2.In 2025, healthcare systems will adopt/adopt more preventative health approaches.

3.These findings suggest that more in-depth research in this field is required/will be required. (both)

For a detailed worksheet and more exercises – buy the download below.

Exercise 5: Tense Review

Task: Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets. Use only active or passive structures of past simple / present simple / present perfect simple / future simple.

1. Government income _____________ from indirect taxation such as import duties. (derive)

2. Unemployment _____________ when economic growth outstrips productivity growth. (fall)

3. Over the last five years, major exporting countries _____________companies caught bribing foreign officials to win contracts. (prosecute)

4. Once the new resolution is approved, countries _____________to inspect any suspicious land, sea or air cargo, including luxury goods. (require)

5. The findings are based on responses from 500 business owners around the country who _____________ fewer than 100 employees. (have)

6. Every year, member states _____________ more available funding for agriculture subsidies. (demand)

1.Government income is derived from indirect taxation such as import duties. (derive)

2.Unemployment falls when economic growth outstrips productivity growth. (fall)

3.Over the last five years, major exporting countries have prosecuted companies caught bribing foreign officials to win contracts. (prosecute)

4.Once the new resolution is approved, countries will be required to inspect any suspicious land, sea or air cargo, including luxury goods. (require).

5.The findings are based on responses from 500 business owners around the country who have / had fewer than 100 employees. (have)

6.Every year, member states demand more available funding for agriculture subsidies. (demand)

For a detailed worksheet and more exercises – buy the download below.

Exercise 6: Paragraph gap fill

Task: Complete the gaps in the paragraph with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
.

Exams versus coursework

The most effective way to assess students ______________ (long debate) in the field of education. Two of the most common methods are examinations and coursework. On the one hand, examinations ______________ (allow) teachers to assess several students at the same time on the same content. Exams are also seen by some as more flexible in relation to content, timing and question types. Indeed, a 2018 study led by Stanford University ______________ (show) that male students ____________ (achieve) higher scores with multiple-choice tasks whereas open-ended questions ________________ (enable) female students to perform better. On the other hand, …..

Exams versus coursework

The most effective way to assess students __has long been debated__ (long debate) in the field of education. Two of the most common methods are examinations and coursework. On the one hand, examinations ___allow___ (allow) teachers to assess several students at the same time on the same content. Exams are also seen by some as more flexible in relation to content, timing and question types. Indeed, a 2018 study led by Stanford University ____showed___(show) that male students ___achieve____(achieve) higher scores with multiple-choice tasks whereas open-ended questions ____enable___ (enable) female students to perform better. On the other hand, …..

For a detailed worksheet and more exercises – buy the download below.

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Academic Grammar 1: the four most common tenses in academic English [new 2021]

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