Put verbs in the following sentences into the past tense, the present perfect tense or the past perfect tense. Determine in each case whether progressive or non-progressive aspect (or both) would be used, and comment on any semantic effects that this choice brings about. Finally, complete the adjuncts in brackets ( { } ) using for, since or ago as appropriate. What generalizations can you make about the use of for, since and ago with respect to these tenses?

1. She (write) that novel {she left college}; do you think she’ll ever finish it?

2. We (be) neighbours {ages}; I can’t imagine not having them close by.

3. Frederic (leave) the office {five minutes}; if you run, you might be able to catch him.

4. The children (watch) TV {2.30 that afternoon} when their dad switched it off.

5. My cousin (want) to be a model {years} when she landed her first job at an agency.

6. My parents (not be) back to China {2010}.

7. His plane (land) {several hours}; if he took a taxi, he should be here soon.

8. I (not see) my old flatmate {a long time}; I hope we recognise each other.

9. Widowhood is not easy for my grandpa. He (be) married to my grandma {60 years}.

10. They (demolish) that old grocery store {years}; the building was going to collapse.