THE VERB

INDICATIVE MOOD

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Table of contents

1 Present simple ................................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Forms ........................................................................................................................ 5 Affirmative/Positive:................................................................................................. 5 Negative: ................................................................................................................... 5 Interrogative:............................................................................................................. 5

1.2 Uses........................................................................................................................... 5 To denote repeated, usual, habitual actions .............................................................. 5 To denote general truths: .......................................................................................... 5 To denote future actions (calendars, timetables, programmes): ............................... 5 In narrative texts (comments, recipes, directions, explanations): ............................. 5

1.3 Exercises ................................................................................................................... 6 1.3.1 Put the following sentences into the negative and interrogative: ..................... 6 1.3.2 Which is a signal phrase for the simple present?.............................................. 6 1.3.3 Find a correct signal phrase. ............................................................................. 6

2 Present continuous/progressive......................................................................................... 7 2.1 Forms ........................................................................................................................ 7 Affirmative/Positive:................................................................................................. 7 Negative: ................................................................................................................... 7 Interrogative:............................................................................................................. 7

2.2 Uses........................................................................................................................... 7 To denote actions taking place at the moment of speaking (now):........................... 7 To denote actions taking place around now (but not at the moment of speaking): .. 7 To denote an exception to the rule:........................................................................... 7 To denote future actions (personal plans):................................................................ 7 In descriptive texts: ................................................................................................... 7

2.3 Exceptions:................................................................................................................ 7 2.4 Exercises ................................................................................................................... 8

2.4.1 Put the verbs into the correct form.................................................................... 8 2.4.2 Use the words below to make sentences in present progressive....................... 8 2.4.3 Put the verbs into the correct form (present progressive) ................................. 9 2.4.4 Put the verbs into the correct form (present progressive). ................................ 9

3 Exercises on Simple Present and Present Continuous .................................................... 10 3.1 Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or present continuous form:....... 10 3.2 Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or present continuous form:....... 11

4 Present perfect simple ..................................................................................................... 12 4.1 Forms ...................................................................................................................... 12 Affirmative/Positive:............................................................................................... 12 Negative: ................................................................................................................. 12 Interrogative:........................................................................................................... 12

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4.2 Uses......................................................................................................................... 12 For finished actions that have an influence on the present ..................................... 12 For an action that stopped recently (already, just) .................................................. 12 To put emphasis on the result ................................................................................. 12 For an action that is not completed (yet, not yet) ................................................... 12 For an action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking (once, never, ever)................................................................................... 12

4.3 Exercises ................................................................................................................. 13 4.3.1 Write positive sentences using present perfect simple ................................... 13 4.3.2 Put the verbs into the correct form (present perfect simple)........................... 13

5 Present perfect continuous/progressive........................................................................... 14 5.1 Forms ...................................................................................................................... 14

5.1.1 Affirmative/Positive:....................................................................................... 14 5.1.2 Negative: ......................................................................................................... 14 5.1.3 Interrogative:................................................................................................... 14

5.2 Uses......................................................................................................................... 14 An action that began in the past and continues in the moment of speaking ........... 14 Finished action that influence the present............................................................... 14 Emphasize the duration or course of an action (not the result)............................... 14

5.3 Exercises ................................................................................................................. 14 5.3.1 Decide whether you have to use since or for. .......................................... 14 5.3.2 Put the verbs into the correct form (present perfect progressive)................... 15

6 Exercises on Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous/Progressive........ 16 6.1 Put the verbs into the correct tense. ........................................................................ 16 6.2 Put the verbs into the correct tense. ........................................................................ 16 6.3 Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below ...................................... 17 6.4 Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below ...................................... 18

7 Past tense simple ............................................................................................................. 19 7.1 Forms ...................................................................................................................... 19 Affirmative/Positive:............................................................................................... 19 Negative: ................................................................................................................. 19 Interrogative:........................................................................................................... 19

7.2 Uses......................................................................................................................... 19 A completed action in the past................................................................................ 19 Actions in the past taking place one after the other (narrative texts)...................... 19 An action in the past taking place in the middle of another action......................... 19 Actions expressing habits in the past ...................................................................... 19 Actions expressing single duration ......................................................................... 19

7.3 Exercises ................................................................................................................. 19 7.3.1 Ask for the bold part of the sentence. ............................................................. 19 7.3.2 Put the verbs into the correct form (simple past). ........................................... 20 7.3.3 Write the verbs in simple past......................................................................... 20 7.3.4 Write the verbs in simple past......................................................................... 20

8 Past tense continuous/progressive................................................................................... 21 8.1 Forms ...................................................................................................................... 21 Affirmative/Positive:............................................................................................... 21 Negative: ................................................................................................................. 21

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Interrogative:........................................................................................................... 21 8.2 Uses......................................................................................................................... 21 An action in progress at a certain time in the past .................................................. 21 An ongoing action in the past interrupted by another action .................................. 21 Parallel actions (in the past).................................................................................... 21 Repetition and irritation with "always"................................................................... 21

8.3 Exercise................................................................................................................... 21 8.3.1 Put the verbs into the correct form (past progressive). ................................... 21

9 Exercises on Past Tense Simple and Past Tense Continuous/Progressive ..................... 22 9.1 Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below ...................................... 22 9.2 Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below ..................................... 24 9.3 Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or past progressive). ................... 24

10 Past perfect simple ...................................................................................................... 26 10.1 Forms ...................................................................................................................... 26 Affirmative/Positive:............................................................................................... 26 Negative: ................................................................................................................. 26 Interrogative:........................................................................................................... 26

10.2 Uses......................................................................................................................... 26 An action taking place before a certain time/action in the past .............................. 26 Duration before a past date/event/action................................................................. 26

10.3 Exercises ................................................................................................................. 26 10.3.1 Put the verbs into the correct form (past perfect simple)................................ 26

11 Past perfect continuous/progressive............................................................................ 27 11.1 Forms ...................................................................................................................... 27

11.1.1 Affirmative/Positive:....................................................................................... 27 11.1.2 Negative: ......................................................................................................... 27 11.1.3 Interrogative:................................................................................................... 27

11.2 Uses......................................................................................................................... 27 Duration between a date/event/action in the past ................................................... 27 Cause of something in the past ............................................................................... 27

11.3 Exercise................................................................................................................... 27 Put the verbs into the correct form (past perfect progressive). ............................... 27

12 Exercise with Past Perfect Simple and Past Perfect Continuous ................................ 28 12.1 Present and Past Tense Review............................................................................... 29

13 Table of English Tenses.............................................................................................. 30 14 Irregular Verbs ............................................................................................................ 33 15 Bibliography ............................................................................................................... 37

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1 Present simple

1.1 Forms

Affirmative/Positive: Subject + short infinitive Ex: You go; We eat etc.

+ -S/-ES* for the 3rd pers. sg. * We add ES when the verb ends in: - S; -Z; - SH; -CH; -X; -O

Ex: He goes; She smashes; It buzzes We add S for the rest of the verbs:

Ex: John paints; The dog barks

Negative: Subject + DO / DOES* + NOT + short infinitive

* Does is used for the 3rd person singular Ex: They do not swim; He does not drink

Interrogative: Do / Does + subject + short infinitive

Ex: Do you go to school? Does your sister know him?

1.2 Uses

To denote repeated, usual, habitual actions (adverbs usually used with this tense: usually, always, never, seldom, every day; every time; once a year; twice a day etc.):

Ex: My brother usually goes to school at 8 oclock. I always buy vegetables from the market.

To denote general truths: The Danube flows into the Black Sea.

Ice melts at 1 degree Celsius.

To denote future actions (calendars, timetables, programmes): The plane leaves at 10:24 PM.

In narrative texts (comments, recipes, directions, explanations): You go straight ahead, turn left and you are there.

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1.3 Exercises

1.3.1 Put the following sentences into the negative and interrogative:

a) Johnny is a well-known actor. b) My father usually goes to work at 8:00 sharp. c) My train arrives in 25 minutes. d) The sun moves around the moon. e) You come home late, you open the TV and then you fall asleep.

1.3.2 Which is a signal phrase for the simple present?

a) seldom right now in 1999

b) already next week normally

c) never last year up to now

d) the other day sometimes soon

e) since 2001 every year in a year

1.3.3 Find a correct signal phrase.

a) Ron plays basketball b) I go to work by bus. c) We speak English d) I write a poem e) our neighbour leaves the house at 8 o'clock.

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2 Present continuous/progressive

2.1 Forms

Affirmative/Positive: Subject + to be (present) + vb-ing

I am going.

Negative: Subject + to be (present) + NOT + vb-ing

He is not eating.

Interrogative: To be (present) + subject + vb-ing

Are they coming?

2.2 Uses

To denote actions taking place at the moment of speaking (now): I am writing a letter.

To denote actions taking place around now (but not at the moment of speaking):

Anna is reading Coelho now.

To denote an exception to the rule: I usually drink milk but today I am drinking tea.

To denote future actions (personal plans): My parents are coming tomorrow.

In descriptive texts: The sun is shinning in the clear sky.

2.3 Exceptions: Some verbs are not used with the continuous aspect or they acquire a different meaning when they are used in the continuous aspect: verbs expressing states, possession, senses, emotions and mental activity.

be (state), believe (mental activity), belong (possession), hate (feeling and emotion), hear (senses), like (feeling and emotion), love (feeling and emotion), mean (mental activity),

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prefer (mental activity), remain (state), realize (mental activity), see (senses), seem (feeling and emotion), smell (senses), think (mental activity), understand (mental activity), want (feeling and emotion), wish (feeling and emotion)

He loves her very much. Do you see that beautiful painting?

2.4 Exercises

2.4.1 Put the verbs into the correct form

The following sentences express possession, senses, emotions or mental activity.

1. I (like) pizza.

2. He (hate) garlic.

3. My sister (prefer) tea to coffee.

4. I (want) to get away from here.

5. She (not / understand) me.

6. I (not / believe) it.

7. I (not / know) why you are so mean.

8. We (not / think) that this is right.

9. What (mean / it) ?

10. (you / hear) the music?

2.4.2 Use the words below to make sentences in present progressive. a) I / to read a book -

b) it / to rain -

c) he / to repair his bike -

d) they / to watch a film -

e) the cat /to sleep on the chair -

f) Jane and Emily / to do their homework -

g) Bill / to wait at the bus stop -

h) we / to listen to the radio -

i) the children / to play a game -

j) Laura / to walk the dog 8

2.4.3 Put the verbs into the correct form (present progressive) a) PINK - Get The Party Started: Everybody (to wait) for me to arrive. b) AVRIL LAVIGNE - Complicated: I like you the way you are when we (to drive) in

your car. c) J'LO - Jenny From The Block: I know where I (go) and I know where I'm from. d) BLUE (feat. ELTON JOHN) - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word: And it (get)

more and more absurd. e) BLUE - U Make Me Wanna: That's why I'm here, I (write) this song. f) BUSTED - What I Go To School For: I guess that's why my marks (get) so high. g) ROBBIE WILLIAMS - Feel: Before I fall in love, I (prepare) to leave her. h) EMINEM: Lose Yourself: He opens his mouth, but the words won't come out. He

(choke). How everybody (joke) now. i) NICK CARTER - I Got You: They say I (look) for something that can't be found.

2.4.4 Put the verbs into the correct form (present progressive). 1. I (to starve) 2. I can tell when you (to lie) 3. I (to joke / only) 4. She (to go out) with a real cutie. 5. (you / to try) to pull my leg? 6. You (not / to fool) anyone.

7. What (to go on) here? 8. I (look forward) to seeing you

again. 9. What (you / to do)? 10. (I / to dream)?

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3 Exercises on Simple Present and Present Continuous

3.1 Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or present continuous form:

1. Every Monday, Sally (drive) her kids to football practice.

2. Usually, I (work) as a secretary at ABT, but this summer I (study)

French at a language school in Paris. That is why I am in Paris.

3. Shhhhh! Be quiet! John (sleep) .

4. Don't forget to take your umbrella. It (rain) .

5. I hate living in Seattle because it (rain, always) .

6. I'm sorry I can't hear what you (say) because everybody (talk)

so loudly.

7. Justin (write, currently) a book about his adventures in Tibet. I hope he can find a good publisher when he is finished. 8. A: Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?

B: Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. I (go) to a movie tonight with some friends.

9. The business cards (be, normally ) printed by a company in New

York. Their prices (be) inexpensive, yet the quality of their work is quite good.

10. This delicious chocolate (be) made by a small chocolatier in Zurich, Switzerland.

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3.2 Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or present continuous form:

A Trekking Journal November 12, 1997

Today (be) the second day of my trek around Mount Annapurna. I

am exhausted and my legs (shake) ; I just hope I am able to

complete the trek. My feet (kill, really) me and my toes (bleed)

, but I (want, still) to continue. Nepal is a fascinating country, but I have a great deal to learn. Everything (be)

so different, and I (try) to adapt to the new way of life

here. I (learn) a little bit of the language to make communication

easier; unfortunately, I (learn, not) foreign languages quickly.

Although I (understand, not) much yet, I believe that I (improve,

gradually) .

I (travel, currently) with Liam, a student from Leeds University

in England. He (be) a nice guy, but impatient. He (walk, always)

ahead of me and (complain) that I am too slow. I

(do) my best to keep up with him, but he is younger and stronger than I am. Maybe, I am just feeling sorry for myself because I am getting old.

Right now, Liam (sit) with the owner of the inn. They (discuss)

the differences between life in England and life in Nepal. I

(know, not) the real name of the owner, but everybody

(call, just) him Tam. Tam (speak)

English very well and he (try) to teach Liam some words in

Nepali. Every time Tam (say) a new word, Liam

(try) to repeat it. Unfortunately, Liam

(seem,also) to have difficulty learning foreign languages. I just hope we don't get lost and have to ask for directions.

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4 Present perfect simple

4.1 Forms

Affirmative/Positive: Subject + have/has* + 3rd form of verb

I have seen that movie. * has is used for the 3rd person singular

Negative: Subject + have/has + NOT + 3rd form of the verb

He has not done this yet.

Interrogative: Have/has + subject + 3rd form of the verb

Have we scheduled this event?

4.2 Uses Present perfect tense is usually used for past actions that are still somehow connected to the present, and when the exact time of the action is not specified. There are several signal words like: already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now

For finished actions that have an influence on the present I have broken my arm.

For an action that stopped recently (already, just)

We have already set the table.

To put emphasis on the result She has written five letters.

For an action that is not completed (yet, not yet)

John has not arrived yet.

For an action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking (once, never, ever)

Alex and his wife have never swum in the ocean.

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4.3 Exercises

4.3.1 Write positive sentences using present perfect simple

Use signal words like: already, ever, just, never, yet, not yet, so far, till now, up to now, once, etc.

1. Bob / visit / his grandma

2. Jimmy / play / on the computer

3. Sue and Walter / wash / their car

4. Andrew / repair / his bike

5. Phil / help / Anne with math

6. Brad and Louise / watch / a film

7. Tamara / talk to / her best friend

8. Bridgette / draw / a picture

9. Carol / read / a computer magazine

10. Tom and Alice / be / to a restaurant

4.3.2 Put the verbs into the correct form (present perfect simple).

1. I (not work) today.

2. We (buy) a new lamp.

3. We (not plan) our holiday yet.

4. Where (be / you) ?

5. He (write) five letters.

6. She (not see) him for a long time.

7. (be / you) at school?

8. School (not start) yet.

9. (speak / he) to his boss?

10. No, he (not have) dinner yet.

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5 Present perfect continuous/progressive

5.1 Forms

5.1.1 Affirmative/Positive: Subject + have/has + BEEN + vb-ing I have been working for two hours.

5.1.2 Negative: Subject + have/has +NOT + BEEN + vb-ing

They have not been smoking.

5.1.3 Interrogative: Have/has + subject + BEEN + vb-ing

Has she been drinking?

5.2 Uses There are several signal words like: for, since, all day, the whole week, how long? etc.

An action that began in the past and continues in the moment of speaking I have been writing for two hours.

Finished action that influence the present They have been working all morning.

Emphasize the duration or course of an action (not the result) She has been baking for hours.

5.3 Exercises

5.3.1 Decide whether you have to use since or for.

since if the starting point is given (two oclock, last Friday, 1998) for if the period of time is given (twenty minutes, two days, one year)

1. I have been waiting 4 oclock.

2. Sue has only been waiting 20 minutes.

3. Tim and Tina have been learning English six years.

4. Fred and Frida have been learning French 1998.

5. Joe and Josephine have been going out together Valentines Day.

6. I havent been on holiday last July. 14

7. Mary has been saving her money many years.

8. I havent eaten anything breakfast.

9. You have been watching TV hours.

10. We have been living here 2 months.

5.3.2 Put the verbs into the correct form (present perfect progressive).

1 He (work) in this company since 1985.

2 I (wait) for you since two o'clock.

3 Mary (live) in Germany since 1992.

4 Why is he so tired? He (play) tennis for five hours.

5 How long (learn / you) English?

6 We (look for) the motorway for more than an hour.

7 I (live) without electricity for two weeks.

8 The film (run / not) for ten minutes yet, but there's a commercial break already.

9 How long (work / she) in the garden?

10 She (not / be) in the garden for more than an hour.

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6 Exercises on Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous/Progressive

6.1 Put the verbs into the correct tense. (present perfect simple or present perfect progressive)

1. I (play) football for five years.

2. My team (win / only) two matches so far.

3. The others (be / always) better.

4. Are we not there yet? We (walk) for hours.

5. But we (cover / only) an area of five miles so far.

6. I (finish/just) my homework.

7. I (work) on this essay since two o'clock.

8. Jane (go out) with Bob for seven years.

9. Martin (date) three girls this week.

10. How long (wait / you) for us?

6.2 Put the verbs into the correct tense. (present perfect simple or present perfect progressive)

Robin: I think the waiter (forget) us. We (wait)

here for over half an hour and nobody (take)

our order yet.

Michele: I think you're right. He (walk) by us at least

twenty times. He probably thinks we (order, already) .

Robin: Look at that couple over there, they (be, only) here for five or ten minutes and they already have their food.

Michele: He must realize we (order, not) yet! We

(sit) here for over half an hour staring at him.

Robin: I don't know if he (notice, even) us. He (run)

from table to table taking orders and serving food.

Michele: That's true, and he (look, not) in our direction once.

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6.3 Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses Present Continuous / Present Perfect Continuous

1. It (rain) all week. I hope it stops by Saturday because I want to go to the beach. 2. A: Where is Gary?

B: He (study, at the library) for his German test on

Wednesday. In fact, he (review) for the test every day for the last week.

3. You look really great! (You, exercise) at the fitness center ?

4. Frank, where have you been? We (wait) for you since 1 P.M.. 5. A: What is that sound?

B: A car alarm (ring) somewhere down the street. It

(drive) me crazy - I wish it would stop! It (ring)

for more than twenty minutes.

6. Joseph's English (improve, really) , isn't it? He

(watch) American television programs and (study)

his grammar every day since he first arrived in San Diego. Soon he will be totally fluent.

7. A: You look a little tired. (You, get) enough sleep lately?

B: Yes, I (sleep) relatively well. I just look tired

because I (feel) a little sick for the last week. A: I hope you feel better soon.

B: Thanks. I (take, currently) some medicine, so I should feel better in a couple of days.

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6.4 Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses Present Continuous / Present Perfect Continuous

Mr. Smith: So tell me a little bit about yourself, Mr. Harris. I would like to find out a little bit more about your background.

Mr. Harris: I (work) in the insurance industry for over ten years. I worked for Met Life for six years and World Insurance for four and a half. During that time, I heard many good things about Hollings Life Insurance and that's why I

(apply) for the new sales position. Mr. Smith: Tell me a little about your hobbies and interests. Mr. Harris: In my spare time, I hike in the mountains outside of town, volunteer at the

Sierra Club and play tennis. In fact, I (compete) in a tennis tournament this weekend.

Mr. Smith: Really, how long (you, play) tennis ?

Mr. Harris: I (play) since high school. I love the sport. Mr. Smith: Great! We like dedication here at Hollings Life. You mentioned you volunteer

at the Sierra Club. I (work, currently) with them on

the sea turtle project. We (try) to create a wildlife sanctuary near the bay. Mr. Harris: Do you know Frank Harris? He's my brother. He (work, presently)

on the same project. Mr. Smith: I know Frank quite well. Any brother of Frank's would be a welcome addition to

Hollings Life. Just one more thing, we (look) for somebody who is fluent in Spanish; many of our clients are from Mexico.

Mr. Harris: No problem. I (study) Spanish since elementary school. Mr. Smith: Sounds like you are the perfect candidate.

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7 Past tense simple

7.1 Forms

Affirmative/Positive: Subject + 2nd form of verb (short infinitive +ED)

Alice saved that cat yesterday. * has is used for the 3rd person singular

Negative: Subject + DID + NOT + short infinitive

We did not recognize him.

Interrogative: DID + subject + short infinitive

Did you see that?

7.2 Uses

A completed action in the past (usually with a time reference: yesterday, last year, in 1996 etc.)

She washed the dishes an hour ago.

Actions in the past taking place one after the other (narrative texts) He came in, took off his coat and sat down.

An action in the past taking place in the middle of another action I saw her while I was crossing the street.

Actions expressing habits in the past He never went to school, he always skipped.

Actions expressing single duration (he Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is a long action often used with expressions like "for two years," "for five minutes," "all day" or "all year.")

He lived in that town for three years. James sat on the bench all day.

7.3 Exercises

7.3.1 Ask for the bold part of the sentence. 1. My friends swam in the lake.

2. He paid the bill.

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3. The teacher pointed to the board.

4. They felt good.

5. He hurt his leg because he was not careful.

7.3.2 Put the verbs into the correct form (simple past).

1. Last year I (spend) my holiday in Ireland.

2. It (be) great.

3. I (travel) around by car with two friends and we (visit)

lots of interesting places.

4. In the evenings we usually (go) to a pub.

5. One night we even (learn) some Irish dances.

6. We (be) very lucky with the weather.

7. It (not / rain) a lot.

8. But we (see) some beautiful rainbows.

9. Where (spend / you) your last holiday?

7.3.3 Write the verbs in simple past.

1 The first settlers (be) the Potawatomi.

2 They (call) this place Checagou (wild onion) because it (smell)

like onions.

3 Constructions on the Sears Tower (begin) in 1970.

4 Until 1997, the Sears Tower (be) the highest building in the world.

7.3.4 Write the verbs in simple past.

1 The University of Oxford (be) the first British university.

2 The lecturers of the colleges (speak) a very clear English.

3 That's why Oxford English (become) known as the English of educated people.

4 In the 19th century, Lewis Carroll (write) 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' in Oxford.

5 Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) (study) electrical engineering at Oxford.

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8 Past tense continuous/progressive

8.1 Forms

Affirmative/Positive: Subject + was/were + vb-ing

I was going to the market.

Negative: Subject + was/were + NOT + vb-ing

He was not eating.

Interrogative: Was/were + subject + vb-ing

Were they crying?

8.2 Uses

An action in progress at a certain time in the past Mom was cooking dinner yesterday at 6 oclock.

An ongoing action in the past interrupted by another action He was watching TV when the phone rang.

Parallel actions (in the past) While she was preparing dinner, he was washing the dishes.

Repetition and irritation with "always" I didn't like them because they were always complaining.

8.3 Exercise

8.3.1 Put the verbs into the correct form (past progressive).

1. When I phoned my friends, they (play) monopoly.

2. Yesterday at six I (prepare) dinner.

3. The kids (play) in the garden when it suddenly began to rain.

4. I (practice) the guitar when he came home.

5. We (not / cycle) all day.

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6. While Aaron (work) in his room, his friends

(swim) in the pool.

7. I tried to tell them the truth but they (listen / not) .

8. What (you / do) yesterday?

9. Most of the time we (sit) in the park.

9 Exercises on Past Tense Simple and Past Tense Continuous/Progressive

9.1 Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses

1. A: What (you, do) when the accident occurred?

B: I (try) to change a light bulb that had burnt out.

2. After I (find) the wallet full of money, I (go,

immediately) to the police and (turn)

it in.

3. The doctor (say) that Tom (be)

too sick to go to work and that he (need)

to stay at home for a couple of days.

4. Sebastian (arrive) at Susan's house a little

before 9:00 pm, but she (be, not) there. She (study,

at the library) for her final examination in French. 5. Sandy is in the living room watching television. At this time yesterday, she (watch, also)

television. That's all she ever does!

6. A: I (call) you last night after dinner, but you (be,

not) there. Where were you?

B: I (work) out at the fitness center.

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7. When I (walk) into the busy office, the secretary

(talk) on the phone with a customer, several clerks

(work, busily) at their desks, and two managers

(discuss, quietly) methods to improve customer service.

8. I (watch) a mystery movie on T.V. when the electricity went out. Now I am never going to find out how the movie ends.

9. Sharon (be) in the room when John told me what happened, but she didn't hear anything because she (listen, not)

.

10. It's strange that you (call) because I (think, just)

about you.

11. The Titanic (cross) the Atlantic when it (strike)

an iceberg. 12. When I entered the bazaar, a couple of merchants (bargain, busily)

and (try) to

sell their goods to naive tourists who (hunt) for

souvenirs. Some young boys (lead) their donkeys through the narrow streets on their way home. A couple of men (argue) over the price of

a leather belt. I (walk) over to a man who (sell) fruit

and (buy) a banana.

13. The firemen (rescue) the old woman who (be)

trapped on the third floor of the burning building.

14. She was so annoying! She (leave, always) her

dirty dishes in the sink. I think she (expect, actually) me to do them for her.

15. Samantha (live) in Berlin for more than two

years. In fact, she (live) there when the Berlin wall

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9.2 Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses

Last night, while I was doing my homework, Angela (call) . She said

she (call) me on her cell phone from her biology classroom at UCLA. I

asked her if she (wait) for class, but she said that the professor was at

the front of the hall lecturing while she (talk) to me. I couldn't believe

she (make) a phone call during the lecture. I asked what was going on. She said her biology professor was so boring that several of the students (sleep, actually)

in class. Some of the students (talk)

about their plans for the weekend and the student next to her (draw)

a picture of a horse. When Angela (tell)

me she was not satisfied with the class, I (mention)

that my biology professor was quite good and (suggest)

that she switch to my class.

While we were talking, I (hear) her professor yell, "Miss, are you

making a phone call?" Suddenly, the line went dead. I (hang) up the

phone and went to the kitchen to make dinner. As I (cut) vegetables for

a salad, the phone rang once again. It (be) Angela, but this time she wasn't sitting in class.

9.3 Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or past progressive).

1. When I (do) the washing-up, I (break)

a plate.

2. While Tom (play) the piano, his mother (do)

the washing-up.

3. He (drink) some juice and then he (eat)

a few chips.

4. I (have) dinner when I suddenly (hear)

a loud bang.

5. When my father (work) in the garden, an old friend (pass)

by to see him.

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6. She (go) to school, (take) out

her textbook and (begin) to learn.

7. When it (start) to rain, our dog (want)

to come inside.

8. When Jane (do) a language course in Ireland, she (visit)

Blarney Castle.

9. When I (be) on my way home, I (see)

an accident.

10. I (not / understand) what they (talk)

about.

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10 Past perfect simple

10.1 Forms

Affirmative/Positive: Subject + HAD + 3rd form of verb

I had seen that movie before she mentioned it. * has is used for the 3rd person singular

Negative: Subject + HAD + NOT + 3rd form of the verb

He had not finished his homework by the time she arrived.

Interrogative: HAD + subject + 3rd form of the verb

Had we scheduled this event before our meeting?

10.2 Uses

An action taking place before a certain time/action in the past (putting emphasis only on the fact, not the duration)

I had lived in Germany before I came to Romania.

Duration before a past date/event/action We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.

10.3 Exercises

10.3.1 Put the verbs into the correct form (past perfect simple).

1. The storm destroyed the sandcastle that we (build) .

2. He (not / be) to Cape Town before 1997.

3. When she went out to play, she (do / already) her homework.

4. My brother ate all of the cake that our mum (make) .

5. The doctor took off the plaster that he (put on) a week before.

6. The waiter brought a drink that I (not / order) .

7. I could not remember the poem we (learn) the week before.

8. The children collected the chestnuts that (fall) from the tree.

9. (he / phone) Angie before he went to see her in London?

10. She (not / ride) a horse before that day.

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11 Past perfect continuous/progressive

11.1 Forms

11.1.1 Affirmative/Positive: Subject + HAD + BEEN + vb-ing

I had been working for two hours before she left.

11.1.2 Negative: Subject + HAD +NOT + BEEN + vb-ing

They had not been smoking for long before quit.

11.1.3 Interrogative: HAD + subject + BEEN + vb-ing

Had she been drinking before she met him?

11.2 Uses

Duration between a date/event/action in the past They had been talking for over an hour before Tony arrived.

Cause of something in the past George was tired because he had been working.

11.3 Exercise

Put the verbs into the correct form (past perfect progressive).

1. We (sleep) for 12 hours when he woke us up.

2. They (wait) at the station for 90 minutes when the train finally arrived.

3. We (look for) her ring for two hours and then we found it in the bathroom.

4. I (not / walk) for a long time, when it suddenly began to rain.

5. How long (learn / she) English before she went to London?

6. Frank Sinatra caught the flu because he (sing)

in the rain too long.

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7. He (drive) less than an hour when he ran out of petrol.

8. They were very tired in the evening because they (help)

on the farm all day.

9. I (not / work) all day; so I wasn't tired and went to the disco at night.

10. They (cycle) all day so their legs were sore in the evening.

12 Exercise with Past Perfect Simple and Past Perfect Continuous Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses I'm sorry I left without you last night, but I told you to meet me early because the show started at

8:00. I (try) to get tickets for that play for months, and I didn't want to miss it. By the time I finally left the coffee shop where we were supposed to meet, I (have)

five cups of coffee and I (wait) over an

hour. I had to leave because I (arrange) to meet Kathy in front of the theater.

When I arrived at the theater, Kathy (pick, already) up the tickets and she was waiting for us near the entrance. She was really angry because she (wait)

for more than half an hour. She said she (give, almost)

up and (go) into the theater without us.

Kathy told me you (be) late several times in the past and that she would not make plans with you again in the future. She mentioned that she (miss)

several movies because of your late arrivals. I think you owe her an apology. And in the future, I suggest you be on time!

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12.1 Present and Past Tense Review Lars: Excuse me, which movie are you waiting for?

Tony: We (wait) for the new Stars Wars Phantom Menace movie. In

fact, we (wait) here for more than five hours. Lars: Five hours? When did you arrive? Tony: We (get) got here at 6:00 o'clock this morning. More than forty people (stand, already)

here waiting for tickets when we arrived. Lars: I can't believe that! Are you serious?

Tony: Yeah, people (take) Star Wars movies seriously. In fact, this

particular showing has been sold out for over a week. We (wait, just) in line to get a good seat in the theater. Lars: When did you buy your tickets?

Tony: I (buy) them last week by phone. I (know)

tickets would be hard to get because I (hear)

on the news that a group of people in Los Angeles (wait)

in line for almost a month to buy some. Lars: I don't believe that!

Tony: It's true. They (camp) out in front of Mann's Chinese Theater in

Los Angeles for about a month because they (want) to be the first people to see the movie.

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13 Table of English Tenses

tense Affirmative/Negative/ Question Use Signal Words

Simple Present A: He speaks. N: He does not speak. Q: Does he speak?

action in the present taking place once, never or several times

facts actions taking place

one after another action set by a

timetable or schedule

always, every , never, normally, often, seldom, sometimes, usually if sentences type I (If I talk, )

Present Progressive A: He is speaking. N: He is not speaking. Q: Is he speaking?

action taking place in the moment of speaking

action taking place only for a limited period of time

action arranged for the future

at the moment, just, just now, Listen!, Look!, now, right now

Simple Past A: He spoke. N: He did not speak. Q: Did he speak?

action in the past taking place once, never or several times

actions taking place one after another

action taking place in the middle of another action

yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday if sentence type II (If I talked, )

Past Progressive A: He was speaking. N: He was not speaking. Q: Was he speaking?

action going on at a certain time in the past

actions taking place at the same time

action in the past that is interrupted by another action

when, while, as long as

Present Perfect Simple A: He has spoken. N: He has not spoken. Q: Has he spoken?

putting emphasis on the result

action that is still going on

action that stopped

already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now

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http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simple-presenthttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-progressivehttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simple-pasthttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/past-progressivehttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-simple

recently finished action that has

an influence on the present

action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking

Present Perfect Progressive

A: He has been speaking.N: He has not been speaking. Q: Has he been speaking?

putting emphasis on the course or duration (not the result)

action that recently stopped or is still going on

finished action that influenced the present

all day, for 4 years, since 1993, how long?, the whole week

Past Perfect Simple A: He had spoken. N: He had not spoken. Q: Had he spoken?

action taking place before a certain time in the past

sometimes interchangeable with past perfect progressive

putting emphasis only on the fact (not the duration)

already, just, never, not yet, once, until that day if sentence type III (If I had talked, )

Past Perfect Progressive

A: He had been speaking.N: He had not been speaking. Q: Had he been speaking?

action taking place before a certain time in the past

sometimes interchangeable with past perfect simple

putting emphasis on the duration or course of an action

for, since, the whole day, all day

Future I Simple A: He will speak. N: He will not speak. Q: Will he speak?

action in the future that cannot be influenced

spontaneous decision assumption with regard

to the future

in a year, next , tomorrow If-Satz Typ I (If you ask her, she will help you.)

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http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-progressivehttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-progressivehttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/past-perfect-simplehttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/past-perfect-progressivehttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/past-perfect-progressivehttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/future-1-will

assumption: I think, probably, we might , perhaps

Future I Simple

(going to)

A: He is going to speak. N: He is not going to speak. Q: Is he going to speak?

decision made for the future

conclusion with regard to the future

in one year, next week, tomorrow

Future I Progressive

A: He will be speaking. N: He will not be speaking. Q: Will he be speaking?

action that is going on at a certain time in the future

action that is sure to happen in the near future

in one year, next week, tomorrow

Future Perfect Simple

A: He will have spoken. N: He will not have spoken. Q: Will he have spoken?

action that will be finished at a certain time in the future

by Monday, in a week

Future Perfect Progressive

A: He will have been speaking. N: He will not have been speaking. Q: Will he have been speaking?

action taking place before a certain time in the future

putting emphasis on the course of an action

for , the last couple of hours, all day long

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http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/future-1-going-tohttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/future-1-progressivehttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/future-2-simplehttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/future-2-progressivehttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/future-2-progressive

14 Irregular Verbs

Base Form Simple Past

Tense Past Participle

awake awoke awoken be was, were been bear bore born beat beat beat become became become begin began begun bend bent bent beset beset beset bet bet bet bid bid/bade bid/bidden bind bound bound bite bit bitten bleed bled bled blow blew blown break broke broken breed bred bred bring brought brought broadcast broadcast broadcast build built built burn burned/burnt burned/burnt burst burst burst buy bought bought cast cast cast catch caught caught choose chose chosen cling clung clung come came come cost cost cost creep crept crept cut cut cut deal dealt dealt dig dug dug dive dived/dove dived do did done

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draw drew drawn dream dreamed/dreamt dreamed/dreamt drive drove driven drink drank drunk eat ate eaten fall fell fallen feed fed fed feel felt felt fight fought fought find found found fit fit fit flee fled fled fling flung flung fly flew flown forbid forbade forbidden forget forgot forgotten forego (forgo) forewent foregone forgive forgave forgiven forsake forsook forsaken freeze froze frozen get got gotten give gave given go went gone grind ground ground grow grew grown hang hung hung hear heard heard hide hid hidden hit hit hit hold held held hurt hurt hurt keep kept kept kneel knelt knelt knit knit knit know knew know lay laid laid lead led led leap leaped/lept leaped/lept learn learned/learnt learned/learnt leave left left

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lend lent lent let let let lie lay lain light lighted/lit lighted lose lost lost make made made mean meant meant meet met met misspell misspelled/misspelt misspelled/misspelt mistake mistook mistaken mow mowed mowed/mown overcome overcame overcome overdo overdid overdone overtake overtook overtaken overthrow overthrew overthrown pay paid paid plead pled pled prove proved proved/proven put put put quit quit quit read read read rid rid rid ride rode ridden ring rang rung rise rose risen run ran run saw sawed sawed/sawn say said said see saw seen seek sought sought sell sold sold send sent sent set set set sew sewed sewed/sewn shake shook shaken shave shaved shaved/shaven shear shore shorn shed shed shed shine shone shone shoe shoed shoed/shod

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shoot shot shot show showed showed/shown shrink shrank shrunk shut shut shut sing sang sung sink sank sunk sit sat sat sleep slept slept slay slew slain slide slid slid sling slung slung slit slit slit smite smote smitten sow sowed sowed/sown speak spoke spoken speed sped sped spend spent spent spill spilled/spilt spilled/spilt spin spun spun spit spit/spat spit split split split spread spread spread spring sprang/sprung sprung stand stood stood steal stole stolen stick stuck stuck sting stung stung stink stank stunk stride strod stridden strike struck struck string strung strung strive strove striven swear swore sworn sweep swept swept swell swelled swelled/swollen swim swam swum swing swung swung take took taken teach taught taught

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tear tore torn tell told told think thought thought thrive thrived/throve thrived throw threw thrown thrust thrust thrust tread trod trodden understand understood understood uphold upheld upheld upset upset upset wake woke woken wear wore worn weave weaved/wove weaved/woven wed wed wed weep wept wept wind wound wound win won won withhold withheld withheld withstand withstood withstood wring wrung wrung write wrote written

15 Bibliography http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-progressive/use/exercises?use06 http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.html http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwesl/egw/verbs.htm

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1 Present simple 1.1 Forms Affirmative/Positive: Negative: Interrogative: 1.2 Uses To denote repeated, usual, habitual actions (adverbs usually used with this tense: usually, always, never, seldom, every day; every time; once a year; twice a day etc.): To denote general truths: To denote future actions (calendars, timetables, programmes): In narrative texts (comments, recipes, directions, explanations): 1.3 Exercises 1.3.1 Put the following sentences into the negative and interrogative: 1.3.2 Which is a signal phrase for the simple present? 1.3.3 Find a correct signal phrase. 2 Present continuous/progressive 2.1 Forms Affirmative/Positive: Negative: Interrogative: 2.2 Uses To denote actions taking place at the moment of speaking (now): To denote actions taking place around now (but not at the moment of speaking): To denote an exception to the rule: To denote future actions (personal plans): In descriptive texts: 2.3 Exceptions: 2.4 Exercises 2.4.1 Put the verbs into the correct form 2.4.2 Use the words below to make sentences in present progressive. 2.4.3 Put the verbs into the correct form (present progressive) 2.4.4 Put the verbs into the correct form (present progressive). 3 Exercises on Simple Present and Present Continuous 3.1 Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or present continuous form: 3.2 Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or present continuous form: 4 Present perfect simple 4.1 Forms Affirmative/Positive: Negative: Interrogative: 4.2 Uses For finished actions that have an influence on the present For an action that stopped recently (already, just) To put emphasis on the result For an action that is not completed (yet, not yet) For an action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking (once, never, ever) 4.3 Exercises 4.3.1 Write positive sentences using present perfect simple 4.3.2 Put the verbs into the correct form (present perfect simple). 5 Present perfect continuous/progressive 5.1 Forms 5.1.1 Affirmative/Positive: 5.1.2 Negative: 5.1.3 Interrogative: 5.2 Uses An action that began in the past and continues in the moment of speaking Finished action that influence the present Emphasize the duration or course of an action (not the result) 5.3 Exercises 5.3.1 Decide whether you have to use since or for. 5.3.2 Put the verbs into the correct form (present perfect progressive). 6 Exercises on Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous/Progressive 6.1 Put the verbs into the correct tense. (present perfect simple or present perfect progressive) 6.2 Put the verbs into the correct tense. (present perfect simple or present perfect progressive) 6.3 Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses Present Continuous / Present Perfect Continuous 6.4 Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses Present Continuous / Present Perfect Continuous Past tense simple 7.1 Forms Affirmative/Positive: Negative: Interrogative: 7.2 Uses A completed action in the past (usually with a time reference: yesterday, last year, in 1996 etc.) Actions in the past taking place one after the other (narrative texts) An action in the past taking place in the middle of another action Actions expressing habits in the past Actions expressing single duration (he Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is a long action often used with expressions like "for two years," "for five minutes," "all day" or "all year.") 7.3 Exercises 7.3.1 Ask for the bold part of the sentence. 7.3.2 Put the verbs into the correct form (simple past). 7.3.3 Write the verbs in simple past. 7.3.4 Write the verbs in simple past. 8 Past tense continuous/progressive 8.1 Forms Affirmative/Positive: Negative: Interrogative: 8.2 Uses An action in progress at a certain time in the past An ongoing action in the past interrupted by another action Parallel actions (in the past) Repetition and irritation with "always" 8.3 Exercise 8.3.1 Put the verbs into the correct form (past progressive). 9 Exercises on Past Tense Simple and Past Tense Continuous/Progressive 9.1 Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses 9.2 Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses 9.3 Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or past progressive). 10 Past perfect simple 10.1 Forms Affirmative/Positive: Negative: Interrogative: 10.2 Uses An action taking place before a certain time/action in the past (putting emphasis only on the fact, not the duration) Duration before a past date/event/action 10.3 Exercises 10.3.1 Put the verbs into the correct form (past perfect simple). 11 Past perfect continuous/progressive 11.1 Forms 11.1.1 Affirmative/Positive: 11.1.2 Negative: 11.1.3 Interrogative: 11.2 Uses Duration between a date/event/action in the past Cause of something in the past 11.3 Exercise Put the verbs into the correct form (past perfect progressive). 12 Exercise with Past Perfect Simple and Past Perfect Continuous 12.1 Present and Past Tense Review 13 Table of English Tenses 14 Irregular Verbs 15 Bibliography 2006-12-16T11:32:13+0200Oana BarganI am the author of this document