To fill in the blanks in the letter, we need to determine the correct tense or verb form based on the context provided. Let's go through each blank:
1) am writing - "I am writing this letter outside in the garden." The present continuous tense is used here because the action of writing is happening at the moment.
2) am sitting - "I am sitting under a big umbrella because the sun is very hot today." Again, the present continuous tense is used to describe an action currently taking place.
3) had - "I know we had some sunny days in London but I remember there were also some rains!" The past simple tense is used because it refers to a specific time in the past when they were in London.
4) were - "I remember there were also some rains!" This is also in the past simple tense, describing past weather conditions.
5) have been - "I have been in a new department since I came home and it’s interesting." The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and continues into the present.
6) came - "since I came home." The past simple tense is appropriate here as it refers to the specific point in time when the speaker returned home.
7) have - "I have a new manager now, and that’s good because the old one was horrible." The present simple tense is used here to indicate a current state or situation.
8) was - "the old one was horrible." The past simple tense is used to describe a past situation that no longer exists.
9) is - "My brother is a drummer in a new group." The present simple tense is used to describe a fact or current state.
10) is practicing - "He is practicing in his bedroom at the moment and it’s quite loud!" The present continuous tense indicates an action happening right now.
11) have just sent - "I have just sent you some of his cassettes." The present perfect tense is used to indicate a recently completed action with relevance to the present.
12) Did you find - "By the way, did you find a black leather photo album?" The past simple tense is used here to refer to a specific event in the past.
13) left - "I think I left it in the bedroom." The past simple tense is used to indicate a completed action in the past.
14) is sitting - "Jill is sitting in the garden with me and she sends her love to you." The present continuous tense is used for an action happening at the moment of speaking.
In summary, the choice of tense in this letter is crucial to convey the timing and nature of actions and states accurately. Present continuous is used for actions happening now, past simple for completed actions in the past, and present perfect for actions that connect the past and present.
