Verb tenses in storytelling

Who doesn't love to gather around the fireside and tell stories, true or imaginary!

But in any story, it is the verbs that carry the action forward; so to tell a story well, you need to conjugate your verbs correctly! In each of the sentences below, see if you can choose the correct verb.

1. I by the roadside for three hours when help arrived.

was sitting

had been sitting

sat

2. The boat and its crew tossed about by the furious waves.

was

were

No word is needed.

3. If the sentry had not been sleeping, he have raised the alarm in time.

might

may

must

4. In the very heart of the forest, there a powerful wizard.

dwelt

dwelled

Both are correct.

5. If I the sign more carefully, I would have found the shelter.

should have read

would have read

had read

6. " I get you another flask of potion?" the druid asked.

Will

Shall

Would

7. "No, indeed, it is you who mistaken!" she exclaimed.

is

are

am

8. Grudgingly, the leprechaun Maeve three wishes on her last birthday.

granted

has granted

was granting

9. More than one elf in these ancient woodlands.

live

lives

are living

10. In distant fields full of wildflowers and weeds a strange herb.

are growing

grow

grows