Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Tenses
Donald Adamson
~1Il~
L ongman=
III III III
Contents
Forms expressing the present
1 Simple present: positive statements and questions
2 Simple present: mixed positive and negative statements and questions
3 Present progressive: positive and negative statements
4 Present progressive: positive and negative questions with answers
5 Mixed present simple and progressive forms
IIhusband,
Madame Clara is a magician. She is assisted on stage by her
Henri. Today she is telling a theatre manager about her
act. Fill in the sentences below using the verbs given for each
picture. Note that the verbs are not in the correct order.
~~.~/ ~~·-I
:>I~~~~~~
f)~".~ o~f~p
~. ~f~~~~""" "'1,~1I7/'. All
1"'/ • ., •.
Doesn't he He doesn't
she She does not
it It
Negative questions with Why ... ? can ask for information or make
suggestions:
Why don't you like her? (asks for information)
Why don 't you come and see us? (makes a suggestion)
D meeting.
The teachers at the Express School of English are having a staff
They are discussing some everyday problems of classes
and students. Complete the sentences as in the examples. Use the
verbs in brackets, in the negative form where necessary.
group.
DIRECTOR: Why 17 _
I ehate) __ I1_cvte___ spending the whole of the weekend at home. Let's go out.
I (5not feel)
(6say) _____ that Abe Clampit, the jazz pianist, is giving a concert tonight. I
(9nat we go)
I'm reading In formal, especially formal written language, long forms are used:
You're lying I am, you are, we are, they are, he is, she is, it is.
We're making
They're hitting
He's hurrying
She's etc.
It's
In formal language, the long forms I am not, you are not, etc. are
I'm not reading
used.
etc.
You aren't
We I'm not (reading, etc.) is the only short form that can be used with 1.
They We can also use this type of short form with other persons: you're not
reading, he's not reading, etc. This emphasises not and makes the
He isn't
negative idea stronger.
She
It
I'm a director at Merlin Books. One of our books has just sold
a million copies, so some of us are having a party, and others
are just relaxing.
~ Me~Wtg_ in a chair. _
Dave and Len, the repair men
(repair, listen)
3 They
the radio.
The directors
(cut, make)
I
(eat, try)
4 Present progressive: positive and negative
questions with answers
Am I coming? Aren't I coming?
etc. you etc.
Are you
we
we
they
they
Is he Isn't he
she she
-
it it
1 you stand
2 you help
3 do
4 Susie do
'It's OK,Ron. 7____________ them to Kim and Mary, on the other side of the
camp.
s
9 you fry
10 they burn
11 I make
12 I do
13 I lie
14 you help
Why 13 _
;) Mixed present simple and progressive forms
o Marja and Bertrand are students in a language school. They are
just getting to know each other. Read part of their conversation.
Write the correct form of the verbs in italics (simple or
progressive, positive or negative, question or statement). If the
verb is already correct, write 'no change'.
KAREN: Rob, 1you do/you're doing/are you doing a lot of work to help hungry people at the
moment. What 2does make/makes/is making you so interested in helping them?
ROB: Well, 3! don't read/I'm reading/! read the newspapers like everyone else. Every
week 4you see/do you see/you're seeing pictures of places where the people 5don't
die/do they die/are dying of hunger. It 6doesn't make/isn't making/makes me so
angry when I see that! 7!sn't it making/Doesn't it make/Does it make you angry?
KAREN: Oh yes, Rob. But a lot of people 8arejeeling/jeel/do theyjeel that the problem is so big
that they can't do anything to help. What 9do you say/don't you say/aren't you
saying to this?
ROB: Just that even the smallest gift lodoesn't help/does it help/helps someone. And also, this:
just imagine that you llare living/aren't living/don't live in a place where no rain has
fallen for years. Perhaps you 12don't want/want/aren't wanting to accept help from
others, but you know you must because your children 13suffer/are suffering/don't
suffer. If your neighbour has food, you'll accept help from him, won't you?
KAREN: Yes. But I 14see/don't see/'m not seeing exactly what you mean ...
ROB: What 15! say/I'm saying/I'm not saying is this: we're all neighbours on this planet, and
we can all help. We 16aren't needing/need/don't need to be a special kind of person to do
something for others. I mean, 17am! looking/do! look/aren't! looking special? I'm just
an ordinary person, and 18! help/am! helping/! don't help in my own way. Anyone can do
that.
[]] Simple past: positive statements and questions
The simple past is the usual form for talking about events in the
past.
The simple past form of the verb is the same for all persons. With regular
I looked
verbs, it ends in -ed.
You lived
etc. dropped
There are over 250 irregular verbs in English. There is no simple rule for
etc.
their past forms, but see the list of irregular verbs on page 61.
arose
beat
became
began
etc.
When did is used to form questions, the base form of the verb is used for
Did I look?
each person. This applies to both regular and irregular verbs.
you live?
he beat?
etc. become?
begin?
etc.
Report 1
Ten-year-old Ann Burns eswim) .4WCl m over 40 metres yesterday to rescue her younger
brother when he CZfall) from a boat in Poole harbour. She
ecatch) the exhausted boy by the hair and (4bring) him safely
to the shore. Then, finding that he was unconscious, she (5revive) him by giving
Report 2
Dell United (6win) their match against Lee Rovers 3-0 last night, and in so doing
Cteach) Lee a lesson in the art of football. Lee (8find) no
answer to the skill of Dell, who (9thrust) forward from the moment the whistle
eOblow) . Lee (ll hold on) till half time, but in the 47th minute
Smith, the Dell striker, e2shoot) from 50 yards to score a fine goal. Smith (13go
Report 3
?olice who (14stop)
<"'discover) that the driver was Mr A Phelps of Newcastle, aged 103. Mr Phelps
r:6learn) to drive in 1906. 'I (17see) the car in my mirror',
motorway because I e2think) the other car was too close behind me.'
Report 4
During yesterday's severe storms, lightning eSstrike) an office building in the
centre of York. It (24start) a fire which (25destroy) the upper
1 When she did not hear 40 metres (after verb 1) she asked:
Haw fur 0{ Ld Mr e /.YWi.m ?
[I] Simple past: negative questions and statements
I didn't work Didn't and the base form ofthe verb are the same for all persons.
You eat Didn't occurs as did not in formal language.
etc. etc.
Didn't work? Questions beginning withDidn't ... ? often express surprise that
you eat? something expected may not have happened.
etc. etc.
ANN: No, they didn't. And then someone was supposed to meet us. But
he didn't} . DOh r per aps h'd
e come ear l'Ier an d gone away agam.
.
{didn't he arnve
he didn't} . D
DICK: Perhaps {didn't he know about the plane bemg late
ANN:
the hotel didn't 1
Maybe. Anyway, when we finally got to the hotel, {didn't the hotel f want to
. us rooms D {Didn't
gIve they} have a record of our reservatIOn
They didn't . D
ANN:
.
Well, a lot of things happened that {didn'tI}
I didn't expect D
]J Simple past: :rillxed forms (positive and negative
statements/questions )
D A group of hill-walkers has arrived back at a youth hostel after
getting into difficulties on the hills. The warden of the hostel is
finding out what went wrong.
Write the correct form of the verbs in italics (statement or
question, positive or negative). If the verb is already correct, write
'no change'.
WARDEN: Ah, there you are! I suppose lyou got lost in the mist!
KEN: No. 2The mist covered our side of the hill.
WARDEN: Well,what happened? Why 3you got back here before now? It 4got dark two hours ago. It
was a short trip. 5you had to walk more than eight kilometres.
TOMMY: The problem was that 6we took a map with us ...
WARDEN: What! 7you took a map! Why 8you checked that before 9you left this morning?
LIZ: Actually, lOwehad a map. But it was the wrong one.
WARDEN: But even without a map, llyou have any idea where you were going? It's just a matter of
walking south along the valley. That's all 12you needed to dO.13 You took a compass with
you?
LARRY: Yes, 14Sebastian put a compass in his pocket this morning. But 15heknew how to use it.
WARDEN: And where is Sebastian now?
KEN: We don't know. 16Weleft him behind on the hill while he was trying to use his compass.
1 no change 9
2 10
3 11
4 12
5 13
6 14
7 15
8 16
[]] Past progressive: positive and negative
statements/questions
The past progressive is used to make it clear that an action went
on continuously during, or before and after, or until stopped by
a certain event. Note that this 'event' can be another action (e.g. I
was reading when you telephoned) or a time (e.g. I was
reading until 12 o'clock last night).
time.
JILL: Oh no! (loBe not work)
for the sheriff. (II Be plan)
to capture the
leader alive and find out where the girl was.
6 (because)
II
Look at this table of things Marie Leblanc and her brother Pierre
have done, or have not done. Then complete the questions and
answers according to the instructions. Use the present perfect
tense, and the words in the table.
8 (You meet Marie at a party. You are not sure ifit is your
first meeting. Ask her a suitable question. ) Marie,
12 Present perfect: positive and negative forms;
use withfor and since
7 Sue and Pam stopped taking useless medicines when they joined the health club.
(take (negative), since)
8 Bob and I play squash every Friday night. This began when the squash court opened.
(play (positive), since)
fl] Present perfect: mixed simple forms, including
negative questions
Examples:
Haven't I1we/youlthey come? Haven't they arrived yet?
etc. VVhyhaven't you told them about it?
Hasn't he/she/it
VVhyhasn't she paid the money?
IIMr Barker has arrived at the office in a bad mood. Write the
correct form of the verbs in italics ( question or statement,
positive or negative). If the verb is already correct, write 'no
change'.
BARKER: I asked for the payments list yesterday. It isn't here. Why lit has arrived on my desk?
NORRlS: The people in the payments office 2have been very busy recently. Perhaps 3they have had
time to find it for you.
BARKER: Humph! And you, Nora. 4Jhave told you always to have a cup of coffee waiting for me when
I arrive?
NORA: I'm sorry Mr Barker. The coffee machine 5has broken down.
BARKER: Bah! 6Jhave had any breakfast this morning, and now you tell me there's no coffee! And
look! 7 The cleaner has emptied my ashtray. It's still full of cigarette ends from yesterday.
DAVE: (whispers to Nora): What a bad mood he's in' Perhaps 8his wife has gone on a business trip
again.
NORA: (whispers to Dave): Or perhaps 9she has told him how wonderful he is. lOHe'salways
liked hearing that kind of thing, you know.
NORRIS: Er ... Mr Barker, llyou haveforgotten something this morning?
BARKER: What is it now?
NORRIS: 12I've arranged your meeting with Mr Nashimuro, the head of Tony Electronics, just as you
asked me to do yesterday. But 13you have put your tie on.
BARKER: Oh dear no, you're right. l4I'veforgotten my tie. Can I borrow yours?
1 8 _
2
9 _
3 10 _
4 _ 11
5 _ 12 _
6 _ 13 _
7 _ 14 _
El Present perfect progressive: questions and
statements; negative statements
The present perfect progressive is used to describe continuous
or repeated actions extending from the past into the present (or
almost to the present). Questions using the present perfect
continuous may be understood as complaints or accusations:
Who's been borrowing books without permission?
GINA: Kate, CI look) l've been Louki.ftg_ in the fridge. It looks as if esomeone
use) ________________ a lot of food. Is it you, Kate? eyou do)
a lot of cooking?
the kitchen much. (51 eat)
at the student cafeteria.
GINA: Well, what about Vera and Julie? (6they entertain) _
their friends here? I'm sure I've heard them talking to friends late at night.
KATE: Well, I think CVera discuss) politics with
her friends during the student elections. But I'm almost sure (8she not cook) _
. You know how she hates cooking. And as for Julie, (9she stay)
out late with her friends most nights.
GINA: Anyway, COwespend) a lot of money on food recently.
KATE: Well, it isn't surprising, is it? (11 Prices go up) all the time.
[ill Present perfect: mixed simple and progressive
forms
B Mrs Ellis is writing to her son, Thomas, who is a student. Write the
most suitable present perfect form (simple or progressive) using
the words in brackets.
B If '1'/.QW 'd QUJ7. Ivu~ie"x a m~ will -6-e CWeTl. 1AJ~ -A.o-p ~ (9 'fdU-
-I)
G{O we r-
LJ{ Ut ·MeW!.. ;z)a 'WAite /J07J1{.
io f.Q 01 (ove,
f11. ut1{.
[ill Present perfect and simple past
II Complete the passage below, using the correct form of the verb in
brackets (present perfect or simple past).
the Roman Emperor Theodosius in AD 393. The first modern Olympics (4take place)
_________ in Athens in 1896, and since then, more than a dozen different countries
example, in the marathon of 1908, the little Italian, Dorando Pietri eScollapse)
_________ five times in the last part of the race, but (14come)
_________ him over the finishing line. And in 1936, the famous black American
From the first modern Olympics in Athens, when only fourteen countries (17participate)
_________ ,the Olympics e8grow) to include over 140
_ -
-~ ~"~-""
.. __ .
Where
1 'Some of our agents (work) had be&t1 wurkWrg __ for the enemy for several years.'
2 'We (give away) secrets to the enemy over a long period.'
3 'The departments in our security services (cooperate)
well with each other.'
4 'Our most trusted agent in Arctica (have)
WENDY: Well, first of all, I couldn't get my wedding dress to fit. The dressmaker 1had made a mistake
in the measurements.
JO: 2you had tried it on in the dressmaker's before that?
WENDY: 3I'd had a first fitting two weeks before, but 41 had tried on the final version. There hadn't
been time. 51 had made so many other arrangements for the wedding. Anyway, after my
sister 6had altered the dress with her sewing machine, Dave phoned to say he couldn't go
ahead with the wedding. He said he wasn't well. 7He'd been sick that morning.
JO: 8He had celebrated the night before?
WENDY: Oh yes. 9He had had a good time with some of the men from his work. And I suppose with all
the excitement lohe had slept well. But I thought h'e had other reasons. Anyway, I was so
angry ... llI'd almost decided to call the whole thing off. But then he phoned again. 12Hehad
talked to his father ...
JO: 13His father had given him a few words of fatherly advice?
WENDY: Yes, I suppose that was it. Anyway, 14he'd calmed down, and he wanted to go ahead. And we
did. And we've been happy ever since.
1 no chCUlge 8
2 9
3 10
4 11
5 12
6 13
7 14
@21 Mixed past and perfect forms: statements about
the past
D Complete the newspaper report below using a suitable form of the
verbs in brackets. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.
Example:
You go to the doctor because of a problem about sleeping. What
do you say? (present perfect progressive)
I've been Me~i.11g b~_. _
I ~ewe¥1t been M~W1g-w-e{A-. _
1 The police ask you about your activities at the time a crime was committed. Answer the question.
(past progressive)
2 You are a teacher. You see that the homework you expected from one pupil is missing. What do you
ask? (present perfect)
3 You are surprised that a friend doesn't know what happened at a meeting. Is it possible that she
wasn't at the meeting? Ask your friend a question. (past simple)
the meeting?
4 Someone asks you your reason for not coming to your team's football practice. Answer the
question. (past simple)
The reason was that
5 You are sorry about a friend's recent illness. What do you tell your friend? (present perfect)
I'm sorry that
6 You remember an occasion when you were punished as a child. Say what led up to it. (past perfect)
7 Some students are discussing why Pacifica went to war with Arctica fifty years ago. You give your
opinion. (past perfect)
I think it was because
8 A friend tells you that he has passed his driving test. You wonder if this was expected. Ask a
question. (past simple)
9 You hear that your friend Ann has been in a car accident. Youwonder if she was the driver.
Ask a question. (past progressive)
~ Future with will and shall
Uses:
1 Promises: I'll help you
2 Predictions: The population oj the world will reach six
billion by 1995.
3 Decisions at the moment of deciding: Very well- I'll see him
4 Plans, with expressions of possibility or with conditions:
Perhaps 1'11do it; I think 1'11do it; 1'11do it if I can.
5 Offers, suggestions, and requests for advice: Shall I do itjor
you? Shall we go now? What shall I do?
6 Orders and requests: You'll do exactly as I tell you; Will you
close that window?
7 Refusals: I won't/shan't do it.
In formal language, 'll occurs as will, except
I'll come
with I and we, when it occurs as shall. (But
You'll etc.
nowadays, will is often used in statements
He'll/She'll/It'll
with I and we also.)
We'll
They'll
Won't I come?
you etc.
etc.
D Promises
A salesman is trying to sell a computer. Complete what he says
with 'll, will or won't.
you how to use it. But you 4______ find it difficult to learn. You 5 _
9______ give you a 5% reduction on the marked price. And of course, the computer
10______ come to you with a two-year guarantee. But actually, you 11 _
need the guarantee, because there 12______ be any problems with the machine. If there
give you this machine here in the showroom - it's a demonstration model, and
it's rather dusty. I 16______ get you another one from the store downstairs. Please wait a
moment, sir. I 17______ be back in a minute.'
_ Predictions
Write predictions (what you think, or what your neighbour
thinks). Use will or won't. Be ready to give reasons for the
predictions.
Make a prediction of your own about the world in 100 years' time.
5 _
How about you? In five years' time will you speak English better
than you do now? Have the same job as you have now? Be
married? Be rich? Write two predictions about yourself.
6 _
7 _
~ Questions with shall for offers, suggestions;
requests for suggestions and advice
IILook at this table. Then write questions from the table to match
the answers given below:
II The year is 1890, during the Pacifican Civil War. A group of rebels
are expecting an attack by government soldiers.
Look at the verb phrases in italics. Write them with the correct
form of will or shall (question or statement, positive or negative).
If the verb is already correct, write 'no change'.
1 no chCUl9_e __ 7 _ 13 _
2 8 _ 14 _
3 9 _ 15 _
4 10 _ 16 _
5 11 17 _
6 12 _
38
~ Future with going to
Uses:
1 To talk about a future situation which already has signs or
causes in the present: Look at that wall! It's leaning out - it's
going to fall down one of these days.
2 To talk about intentions concerning things already decided
(not newly decided): I'm going to paint my room this
summer - I've already chosen the colours I want.
3 To express firm determination: He said that about me, did he?
I'm going to say something to him when I see him next!
As usual, the uncontracted forms I am, you are, he is, etc. can occur in
I'm going to fall formal language.
etc.
You're
We're
They're
He's
She's
It's
D the
Going to for future situations with signs observable in
present
it 9oit19_to_m_iM_?
111 _
ANSWER
YeI.l)i.t1 goi"g to rain. There are cJ.cwM i.fI the J6k~L'
+ REASON: or No)i..t ~n'tgoit1g to r",in.The cLaud6 are 901n9 awa~~
III Going to for intentions already decided and firm
determination
1 Susan has decided to buy a new dress. What does she tell her
friend?
I'm goiYlg to blAy_IA_Yl_ew_dhi_e-Y.)_" _
3 Susan has decided that the dress she needs is an evening dress.
How does she answer her friend?
o John and Carol are making plans for a day's holiday. Form a
suitable will/slwll or going to form from the words in brackets.
Sometimes both forms are possible.
JOHN: Look, there isn't a cloud in the sky. (lIt be) lfu gair1g_to_be a
IIRead the situations below. In most (not all) of them, you could
use a present progressive form, but another form may be possible
also. Choose (a), (b) or (c) and circle the letter.
1 Helen's secretary reminds her of her intention to travel to
Chicago. What does the secretary say?
a Remember - you're flying to Chicago next week.
b Remember - you'll fly to Chicago next week.
c Either (a) or (b).
2 Jim has invited some friends to his house for dinner.
As a result, he cannot go to a football match. What does he say?
a I can't go. I'm having a meal with friends that
night.
b I can't go. I'll have a meal with friends that night.
c Either (a) or (b).
3 Terry has to go away for a few days. He is worried about what
will happen to his cat during his absence. His neighbour
promises to help. What does the neighbour say?
a Don't worry. I'm feeding it while you're away.
b Don't worry. I'll feed it while you're away.
c Either (a) or (b).
4 Andrew has booked a hotel in Athens as part of a business trip.
What does he say?
a I'm spending four nights in Athens.
b I'm going to spend four nights in Athens.
c Either (a) or (b).
5 Marion isn't looking forward to the arrival of workmen next
week. She knows the house will be in a mess. What does she say
to her friend?
a What a nuisance! We're getting central heating put in next week.
b What a nuisance! We'll get central heating put in next week.
c Either (a) or (b).
~ Future expressed by simple present
The simple present is used for events in the future which are part
of a prearranged prograrmne or timetable:
The meeting starts at 6 o'clock.
We leave on Thursday.
4_________ the students into groups to visit different parts of the building.
As some of you may know, this year we 5_________ a new examination system,
including a special project using books from the college library. So part of the programme tomorrow
is that at twelve o'clock the groups 6_________ in the library for a talk from Mrs
Lindsey, the librarian.
Now, as regards tomorrow afternoon: at two o'clock the bus 7 _
we 9 the Roman Camp and the Cathedral, and then around five o'clock the
bus 10 to the college.
half past seven. We 12_________ a very nice programme arranged for this, so I know
everyone 13 it. The party 14 around half past
~ Future progressive with will + ing
Uses:
1 For actions or events that occur as a matter of course, with no
deliberate intention or effort: I'll be seeing him at the club
tomorrow - he's usually there when I'm there.
2 Out of politeness, to avoid any idea of wanting, requesting or
promising: Will you be going there? (compare Will you go
therejorme?), Yes, I'll be going there (compare Yes, I'llgo
there because you've asked me to).
3 For continuous actions taking place before and after, or during
some future time: At seven o'clock tomorrow I'll be ha ving
my breakfast.
won't be coming Won't occurs as will not in formal language. In British English,
I
shan't or shall not (formal) can be used with I and we
You etc.
(see also page 35).
etc.
IIThe Tibbs family have just come back from a long trip round the
world. For most of them, this means that they will go back to their
ordinary (rather boring) routines. You are looking at some
photographs with Mrs Tibbs, and asking questions about the
family's plans now.
Form questions and answers, using the words given.
2a I'll be going
BILL: Not really. I suppose b I'll go to Newtown as usual in the morning and in
c Either (a) or (b).
3a I'll be studying
4a Willyou be getting
MRS FaY: ® Willyou get something for me from the shops in Newtown, please?
c Either (a) or (b).
~ I'll be doing
BILL: Yes, of course. I expect b I'm doing some of my own shopping anyway.
c Either (a) or (b).
MRS FaY: You see, I need a mousetrap. Last night I heard a mouse in the house. I hate
6a I'll be catching
7 a I'll be getting
BILL: Well, certainly iJ I'll get one for you. But why don't you buy a cat?
c Either (a) or (b)..
Sa I'll be getting 9a I'll be seeing
b I'm going to get one soon. In fact, b I'm seeing
f Either (a) or (b). C" Either (a) or (b ).
lOa he'll be having
[) he'll have
c Either (a) or (b).
@] Future perfect: contrasted with future
.
progressIve
The future perfect is used to predict situations at certain times in
the future. It refers to actions or events that will already be
completed at these times.
I'll have finished In formal language, will and shall occur in the usual way (see
You'll etc. page 35). See page 35 also for the use of will not, shan't and
He'll/She'll/It'll shall not.
We'll
They'll
1 Citizens of Pacifica! In twelve months' time, the average income of our people (rise)
_wiM_· __ h_aN_e_r_it1_er1 by five per cent, while inflation (not ri~e)
________ at all.
2 By 1992, neighbouring countries (marvel)
they (not equal)
3 In fact, by 1993, we (overtake)
4 By 1994, our factories (produce)
5 By 1995, the number of schools in our country (double)
6 By 1996, we (build) ____________ 200 new hospitals.
7 By 1997, you (enjoy) ____________ a better standard of living than at any
~ Mixed forms expressing the future
D but
Danny is a young businessman. He is planning to open a disco -
he needs more money. He asks another man, Ned Lucas, to
help him with the money.
Fill in the blanks below with a suitable form expressing the future.
Use the words in brackets. Often, more than one answer is
possible.
'Ned,eIopen) I'm going to 9P_et1 _ a disco. I've been planning this for some
. ;nonths now. But (2it take) a lot of money to get it started. eyou lend)
,_...-- me £50,000? (41 pay) ______ it back soon - (5you not have
to) wait long.
Of course, you could join me as a partner. (6We share) the profits.
This disco Cbe) a great success, because there's nothing for teenagers
in this town at the moment. Every businessman in town (Swish) he had
thought of it. In six months (9we recover) all the money we've
put into it.
Look, Ned. eOyou not get) another chance like this! The thing is, I
can buy it at a really low price! It's a nightclub at the moment. But the owner has had trouble with the
police, and (llhe not be able) to continue with the club much
longer. He wants to get rid of it, so (12he sell) it to me cheap. We've
already agreed matters on the telephone, and (131meet) him tomorrow. The
4
timetable is that e we sign) the agreement tomorrow, and (151
pay) him the money within fourteen days. I know that if I don't pay in
time, e6he send) ___________ some of his friends round to see me. So I must get
the money, somehow.'
Can you find an example in the above verb phrases of the
following? Write down the numbers.
1 apromise
2 an intention already decided, or firm determination
3 a future situation with signs or causes in the present
4 a prediction
5 something routine, or natural, that will happen as a matter of course
6 an arrangement made with another person
Write sentences giving your own ideas, or find out what a friend
thinks, about:
1 the date of an important development in science (e.g. the first people to land on Mars)
People will land on Mars in
2 the next winner of an important sporting event (e.g. the World Football Cup)
4 a promise you have made, or think you ought to make to your husband, wife, father, mother,
brother, sister, or friend
6 something natural or routine, which will happen as a matter of course (whether anyone wants it
or not)
~ Reported statements
Direct speech Reported speech (no change of tense)
'1want to buy it. '
He says he wants to buy it.
'I've come to mend the machine. '
(that) he's come to mend the machine.
'1lost my watch'
'I'll help with the work. ' he lost his watch.
he'll help with the work.
Reported speech (with change of tense)
Notes
Would is used for the 'conditional' form of
He said he wanted to buy it. (present ~ past).
the verb: he would help, etc. (that)
(would is the same for all persons).
he had come to mend the machine.
~~ (present perfect ~ past perfect)
,
am/is ~ was; are ~ were;
present progressive ~ past progressive; he had lost his watch.
won't ~ wouldn't (past simple ~ past perfect)
or
he lost his watch. (no change needed if
the time sequence is clear)
D Goodman,
Pacifica has a new government today. The new president, Mrs
is making a speech about the old government (of
President Badley), and explaining what the new government
plans to do.
1 Badley has damaged the 2 The country has not 3 Badley's government
country. been well-governed. acted dishonestly.
8 I have promised the 9 We are going to put the 10 A new age is beginning
people this, and I will country right. for everyone.
keep my word.
Not everyone who is listening to the speech agrees with it. Write
sentences as in the example.
3
4
-., 6
10
9 _
10 _
~ Reported questions and answers
For reported questions, tense changes after He asked, I
wondered, etc. are the same as for reported statements.
'Do they want to buy it?' I asked if they wanted to buy it.
'Have you seen my book?' She wondered whether he had seen her book.
'Did she do it?' He wanted to know she had done it.
'Willhe arrive in time?' etc. he would arrive in time.
t
'~at do they want to buy?' what they wanted to buy.
'Wlpichbook have you seen?' which book he had seen.
'Who did it?' who had done it. or who did it.
'When will he arrive?' when he would arrive.
Note how the word order of questions changes when they become
reported questions.
,because
in prison.
~ Tenses with time clauses
Future Present or The present perfect suggests
Present perfect an interval of time between
.payment and starting the
I'll start the work when work.
you pay me.
I won't start the work until you've paid me.
II Ann and Celia are writers for television. They are discussing how
to continue a 'soap opera' (a story which goes on week after
week). Underline the correct choices in the dialogue below.
Sometimes both choices are correct. Note that 0 = 'no word at
all'.
CELIA: The problem is, lif/!/J Margaret 2wiU marry/marries Henry, 3if/!/} our viewers
4don't/won't like it.
ANN: Why not?
CELIA: Well, He~ry's so lazy. As I see it, 5if/!/} a person 6is/wiU be energetic, like Margaret,
7if/!/} she 8isn't/won't be the right kind of person for someone like Henry.
ANN: Maybe you're right. But often 9if/!/} people lOare/wiU be attracted to each other
llif/!/} they 12are/wiU be different from each other.
CELIA: OK. I've got an idea: 13iff0 people 14always get/will always get interested
15if/!/} there 16is/wiU be some character they really dislike. Right? So let's make Henry
really unpleasant. Then 17if/!/} it 18looks/willlook as if Margaret is going to marry
Henry, 19if/!/} people 2o.teel/willjeel sorry for her. And of course, 21if/!/} everyone
22is/wiU be happy 23if/!/} we 24save/'ll save her from Henry at the last moment.
@7] Ifwith situations which are unlikely or vnreal
An if clause of this type is sometimes known as the 'second
conditional'.
1Past 'Would'
If she went to work in France she 2would learn French very quickly.
(these things are unlikely to happen)
If I 3were younger I would apply for the job.
o am not younger, so these are not real possibilities)
'Would' Past
They would be very angry if they found out.
(these things are unlikely to happen) /'
I would take his remarks seriously if I didn't know him so well.
(but I know him, so these are not real possibilities.)
1 With this type of if-clause, the 'past' form is usually the simple
past, but could also be past progressive: If you were living in
France, you would have togo to school there.
2 Would can occur as 'd informally.
3 Note that If I/he/she/it were ... is still considered more correct
than If I/he/she/it was ... in formal writing. But If I1he/she/it
was ... is widely used.
LEAGUE TABLE
TEAM Played WonlLostlDrewl Pts.
MILLFORD 10 .9 10 I 1 28
l.IVERPOOL 11 3 17 I 1 10
~\l~O
6 I am sensible. !l '.
@§l If with situations which were possible in the past,
but did not occur
1 (I started the school after the bank lent me £50, 000. ) If the bank netdn't lerJt me
1.50) 000 WU\liLdn't ~GWe .6tarted the school.
6 (We didn't move to a better building because the rent jar this building was so low.) We
___________________ to a better building if the rent for this
a friendly atmosphere.
'LA carr~_OYI
__
Base Past simple Past perfect Base Past simple Past perfect
arise arose have arisen lie lay have lain
awake awoke have awoken light litJlighted have litJlighted
bear" bore have borne lose lost have lost
beat beat have beaten make made have made
become became have become mean meant have meant
begin began have begun meet met have met
bend bent have bent pay paid have paid
bet bet have bet put put have put
bind bound have bound read read have read
bite bit have bitten ride rode have ridden
bleed bled have bled ring rang have rung
blow blew have blown rise rose have risen
break broke have broken run ran have run
breed bred have bred saw sawed have sawn (ed)
bring brought have brought say said have said
broadcast broadcast have broadcast see saw have seen
build built have built seek sought have sought
burn burntJburned have burntJburned sell sold have sold
burst burst have burst send sent have sent
buy bought have bought set set have set
cast cast have cast sew sewed have sewn (ed)
catch caught have caught shake shook have shaken
choose chose have chosen shine shone have shone
cling clung have clung shoot shot have shot
come came have come show showed have shown
cost cost have cost shrink shrank have shrunk
creep crept have crept shut shut have shut
cut cut have cut sing sang have sung
deal dealt have dealt sink sank have sunk
dig dug have dug sit sat have sat
do did have done sleep slept have slept
draw drew have drawn smell smelt/smelled have smelt/smelled
dream dreamt/dreamed have dreamt/ sow sowed have sown/sowed
dreamed speak spoke have spoken
drink drank have drunk speed sped have sped
drive drive have driven spend spent have spent
eat ate have eaten spin spun have spun
fall fell have fallen spit spat have spat
feed fed have fed split split have split
feel felt have felt spoil spoilt/spoiled have spoilt/spoiled
fight fought have fought spread spread have spread
find found have found spring sprang have sprung
flee fled have fled stand stood have stood
fly flew have flown steal stole have stolen
forbid forbade have forbidden stick stuck have stuck
forecast forecast have forecast sting stung have stung
forget forgot have forgotten stink stank have stunk
forgive forgave have forgiven strike struck have struck
freeze froze have frozen swear swore have sworn
get got have got sweep swept have swept
give gave have given swim swam have swum
go went have gone swing swung have swung
grow grew have grown take took have taken
hang hung have hung teach taught have taught
hear heard have heard tear tore have torn
hide hid have hid/hidden tell told have told
hit hit have hit think thought have thought
hold held have held throw threw have thrown
hurt hurt have hurt thrust thrust have thrust
keep kept have kept understand understood have understood
kneel kneltJkneeled have kneltJkneeled wake woke have woken
knit knit have knit (ted) wear wore have worn
know knew have known weep wept have wept
lay laid have laid win won have won
lead led have led wind wound have wound
lean leantJIeaned haveleantJIeaned withdraw withdrew have withdrawn
leap leaptJIeaped have leaptJIeaped write wrote have written
learn learntJIearned have leamtJIeamed
leave left have left
lend lent have lent "bear is often used in the passive, with a different past
let 'let have let participle, e.g.I was born in 1980.
61
Answer key ill] Present progressive drive? 6 Where did he see the car?
(pages 8-9) . 7 What did it strike? 8 Howmuch
damage did it cause? 9 How long did
• 1
isn't typing She's dancing it take (them)?
2
's sleeping He isn't standing f'7l
aren't repairing ... They're listening L1J Simple past (page 16)
3
f1l 4
's sitting ... It isn't catching
L1J Simple present (pages 4-5) 5
isn'tan~w~ring".,She'sletting • ANN: The plane didn't leave until
• 1 begin 2 say 3 flies 4 grows 6
~sn'tPJ1!lting... It s get~ . 11.30- four hours late.
5 joins 6 goes 7 put 8 comes 7
,re cutting.... Th~y are~ t making DICK: Didn't they say why it was late?
9 chooses 10 turn 11 covers
12 tell 13 appla'!ds 14 throw
15 catches 16 disappear 17 tries
rn 8
m not eatmg ... 1m trymg
Present progressive
(pages 10-11)
AN"N: No, they didn't. And then
•
18 doesn't get out 23 struck 24 started • 1 While Dell fans were entering the
25 destroyed 26 caused 27 took ground, a group of Lee fans arrived.
Example 2 Several of our men received injuries
A; Why don't we go swimming?
It's a nice day.
II 1 Howfar did she swim? 2 Where
did she bring him? 3 How did she
while we were trying to keep the
groups of fans apart. 3 Weheld!
B: No,I don't want to go swimming revive him? 4 How long did they were holding our ground well until a
today. I've got a bad cold. etc. hold on? 5 When did he learn to group of Dell fans broke throUgh our
lines. (; 4 When the two groups met, joined the club. 8 Bob and I agreed to do? 4 What had the letter
viole.nt fighting br?ke out. (no past have played squash every Friday come with? 5 Where had you spent
contmuous WItheIther verb) night since the squash court a wonderful holiday? 6 What had it
5 While I was attempting to arrest opened won?
one hooligan a brick struck me on the rp>1 fJ.Ol
head. 6 Several shopkeepers ~ Present perfect (page 25) ~ Past perfect progressive
complained to us because the fans • (a 31) .
were causingl~he fans caused a lot of 1 hasn't it arrived 2 no change • p ge
damage. 7 While all this was going 3 they haven't had 4 Haven't I told 1 had been working 2 had been
on outside, fans were throwing/fans 5 no change 6 I haven't had giving away 3 had not been
threw stones inside the ground. 7 The cleaner hasn't emptied 8 no cooperating 4 had been having
8 The situation was becominglThe change 9 she hasn't told 10 no 5 had been listening 6 had not
situation became serious, so we change 11 haven't you forgotten been receiving 7 had not been
radioed for extra men. 9 However 12 no change 13 you haven't put getting 8 had been feeding 9 had
while we were waiting/we waited fo~ 14 no change been sending 10' had not been
extra men the situation became calm. ffAl P t f . carrying out
ip1 ~ resen per ect progressIve rpil
~ Present perfect (page 26)' ~ Past perfect (page 32)
(pages 22-23) • 1 I've been looking 2 someonehas • 1 nochange 2 Hadn't you tried it
• 1 Marie, have you ever ridden a been using 3 Have you been doing on 3 no change 4 I hadn't tried on
horse? 4 I haven't been using 5 I've been 5 I'd been making 6 no change
Me? Oh no, I've never ridden a eating 6 Have they been 7 no change 8 Had he been
horse. entertaining 7 Vera has been celebrating 9 He'd been having·
2 Pierre, have you ever ridden a discussing 8 she hasn't been 10 he hadn't slept 11 no change
horse? cooking 9 she's been staying 12 He'd been talking 13 Had his
Yes,I've ridden a horse a few 10 we've been spending 11 Prices fathergiven/beengiving 14 no
times. have been going up change
3 ~~~~?
has Marie ever sung in [ill Present perfect (page 27) @g Mixed past and per~ect
Yes, she's often sung in public. • forms (pag 33)
4 Marie, have you ever wanted to 1 It.has been 2 We have/'ve been e .
live in America? hopmg 3 haven't you written/have • 1 has become 2 began 3 was
No, I've never wanted to live in you not written 4 have always studying 4 stood 5 did not win
America. meant 5 I have/'ve sent 6 has 6 had ever been 7 elected/had
5 Marie, has Pierre ever wanted to been saving 7 we have/'ve put elected/had been.electing 8 just
live in America? 8 has gone on 9 has notlhasn't laughed 9 got up 10 has shown
Yes, he's always wanted to live in been enjoying (or enjoyed) 10 has 11 hasneverbeeri 12 hasfought/
America. had to 11 He hasfs had 12 has been fighting 13 were continually
6 Monsieur Leblanc, have Pierre and been coming 13 we have/'ve writing/continually wrote
Marie ever forgotten your managed 14 Have you seen 15 he 14 treated/were treating/had treated
birthday? has/'s left 16 We have!'ve been 15 had thrown them out/threw them
Yes, they've forgotten my birthday getting 17 He has notlhasn't said out 16 always took/had/has always
once or twice. 18 he hasihe's met. 19 you have/'ve taken 17 interviewed 18 was
7 Marie, have you ever been to done planning 19 haslhad already
England? [§I P persuaded 20 told
Yes I've been to England resent perfect and simple '2J:I . .
8 Marie, have we ever met before! past (page 28) Ie2:I Mixed past and perfect
have r e,vermet you bef?re? • 1 began 2 continued 3 were forms (page 34)
Yes~we ve met several t~es/ 4 took place 5 ...have staged • (These are examples only; many
you,ve met me several times. ?" 6 have$.taged ;:7 became 8 was;(jifferenlf~sw.ers.~re ~o~sible.)
9 Havel ~vermet Pierre before. 9 have taken part, 10 has ·llw¥ watchingteleVlSlonat the
No,rou ve never m~t before/
you ve never met him before.
equalled II won 12 have seerr
13 collapsed 14 came 15 helped
time. 2 Why haven't you done your
homework? 3 Didn't you come to
~ Present perfect (page 16 broke 17 participated . the meeting?iWeren't you at the
24) 18 havegrown 19 havegone meetmg? 4 The reason was that my
•
(page 38) time has corne! Tomorrow we/you are overtaken 4 will be producing
1 no change 2 they won't attack going to march into Pacifica! 7 The 5 will have doubled 6 we shall have
3 no change 4 Willthey be people of Pacifica are our brothers. built 7 you will be enjoying
5 they won't be 6.will there be We're not going to/aren't going to fight~2 . t.h
7 there won't be 8 no change them! ~ Mixed forms expressmg e
9 Shall I go up 10 willyou let ~ Mixed will/shall and going future (pages 49-50)
11 no change 12 no change
13 They won't see 14 we won't let to forms (page 42) • 1 I'm going to open. 2 it'll take/it's,
15 shallwedo 16 Wewon'tgive gomg to take 3 Willyou lend 4 I 11
• 1 It's going to be 2 ~hall we go pay 5 you won't have to 6 We'll
17 nochange 3 I'll go 4 I'm not gomg to swirnll share 7 will belis going to be
~ Future with going to won't (or shan't) swim 5 I'll swim 8 will wishl\vill be wishing/is going to
6 I'm going to takelI'll take 7 I'll be wish 9 we'll have recovered
(pages 39-41) glad 8 I'm going to lie 9 it'll do or 10 You won't getIYou're not going to
• Situation with signs observable in it's going to do (possible, but less get 11 he won't be able 12 he's
present (page 39) likely) 10 there's going to bel selling/he'll seillhe's going to sell
(Answers, especially the reasons, may there'll be 11 there won't be 13 I'm meetinglI'm going to meet
vary) 12 We'll probably have 13 shall we 14 we sign/we're going to sign/we'll
1 Are the monkeys going to reach the do/are we going to do 14 Shall I sign 15 I paylI'm going to pay
bananas? make 15 I'll make 16 he'll sendlhe's going to sendlhe'll
Yes, they're going to reach the •• be sending
bananas. One monkey can climb E:I Both will/shall and going to can be
onto the other monkey: . used in 4, 6, 9, 10, 13.
(answers vary depending on forms government. .5 She said that ~ lfwith situations which are
chosen in Exercise 1) dIshonest officIalswould be punished. nlik
1 a promise: 4, 5, 6 2 an intention 6 She said that they wouldn't/would U ely or unreal
already decided, or fum determination: not prevent anyone from givinghis (pages 57-58)
1 3 a future situation with signs or
causes in the present: 7, and possibly
opmlOn. 7 She said that there
wouldn't/would not be any return to
II 1 If ..
we pald higher wages we would
2, 8 4 a prediction: 8 and possibly 2, the bad old days. 8 She said that she attract better players. 2 More .
7,11,16 (9 (future perfect) is also a had promised the people this and people would come and w~tch us if we
prediction) 5 something routine, or (that) she would kee her word won more matches. (PossIbly the
natural, that willhappen as a matter of 9 She said that they ~ere going·to put reverse conditlOnalso:If more people
course: possibly 8, 16 6 an the country right 10 Sh .d th t came and watched us we would win
:. e Sal a a more matches) 3 If we had our
arrangement made with another new age was begmnmg for everyone. team from 1921-22 we would win the
person: 12, 13 7 an action belonging f3Al Reported questions and cup. 4 Wewould score a lot of goals
to a fixed timetable: 14, ~ if DiegoMaradona played for us
15 8 something that willbe answers ( pages 53-54) 5 Ifourgoalkeeperdidn'thave~
completed by a certain time in the 1 I asked him what part he had plaved broken leg he would be the best
future: 9 in the robbery and he told me he had goalkeeper in the league. 6 If I wast
driven the car for the getaway. 2 I were sensible I wouldn't be working
Examples of patterns wanted to know how long he had been for this club. 7 Our players would
1 People willland on Mars by{year)l livingin San Bernardo. I discovered run much faster if they didn't smoke.
in (year)! in the 21st century, etc. that he had been livingthere for six 8 If our striker was/were taller he
2 (name of country) willwin the next years. He had been livingin San Pedro would score more goals with his head.
World Cup. 3 Mycountry willhave a
new government in (year). 4 I'll before, but the police there had 1301 IrF . h" .
thrownhimout. 3 Thenlaskedifhe~ u WIt SItuatIons WhIch
write to you every week while I'm in
was happy in San Bernardo. Boggs were possible in the past,
England. 5 The earth is going to get
repli:odthat he wasn't, because he but did not occur (page 59)
warmer because of the increase of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. dldn t speak the language. 4 I asked
him if he would ever go back to
II 1 If the bank hadn't lent me £50,000I
6 We'llbe studying for our exams at Britain. He said he wouldn't go back wouldn't have started the school 2 I
the end of this term. 7 I'll(still) be until the police dropped the case wouldn't have continued if the school
learning English in two years' time. against him - and (that) they would hadn't been a success. 3 Ifwe
8 The United States and the Soviet never do that. 5 I was interested to hadn't won the Pacifica University
Union willhave signed an arms know what he missed most about contract we would have had money
agreement by (year). ·9 I'm having Britain. He told me (that) he missed problems. 4 If I had retired we
dinner with a friend tomorrow night. the pubs and the football,but that it would have gone to live in
10 Our afternoon class finishes was worst at Christmas. He said (that) Italy. 5 We would have built another
at 15.30. he always felt miserable then. language lab if there had been enough
~ Reported statements 6 Finally 1asked him if his old friends students. 6 Wewould have moved
ever wrote to him.He told me (that) to a better building if the rent for this
(pages 51-52) they didn't, because they were all in building hadn't been so
II 1 She says Badleyhas damaged the prison. low. 7 Anyway,our teachers
country - but he hasn't. 2 She says
the country has not been well-
'32'
~ Tenses with time clauses
wouldn't have stayed with us if there
hadn't been a friendly atmosphere.
governed-but it has. 3 She says (page 55) ••
Badley's government acted
dishonestly _ but it didn't. 4 She
II 1 Myfather taught me gardening B (examples)
If I had passed the examination I
says they willform an honest when 1was a boy. 2 But the offer of wouldn't have stayed in the English
government _ but they won't. 5 She a job at Moxleycame after 1joined!had class.
says dishonest officialswillbe Jomed the army. 3 So I didn't start at I would have joined the army if I
punished _ but they won't. 6 She Moxleyuntil I leftlhad left the army. hadn't become a student, etc.
says they won'ttwillnot prevent ~ A~ soon as I st~rted I knew I would ~
anyone from givinghis opinion_ but like It here. 5 I ve been here since I ~ Mixed conditional and time
they will. 7 She says there won't/will started the job in 1961. 6 When the clauses (page 60)
not be any return to the bad old days _
but there will. 8 She 'saysshe has
head gardeller retires next year I'll
become headgardenar in his
II 1 'll carry on 2 clears up
promised the people this and (that) place. 7 I'llget a rise in my wages as 3 'd!had known
she willkeep her word _ but she soon as I'm head gardener. 4 'd!would never have set
won't. 9 She says they are going to ~ IrF 'th'" out 5 stops 6 'IIeasily
put the country right _ but they aren't ~ U WI sltuat~ons which are be 7 had to 8 started
, (or won't). 10 She says a new age is real possibilities (page 56) 9 broke 10 'dlhad spent
begmnmg for everyone - but it isn't. II 1 if 2 marnes,. 3 13 4' won t 11 set
set out outl'd
12 hsetd houtlhad d
•• 1 Sh ·d 5 if 6 is 7 13 I' 8 isn't/won't be a appene
B e sal that Badley had damaged 9 13 10 are/willbe 11 if 12 are 13 'd!would have had to
the country. 2 She said that the 13 13 14 alwaysget/will alwa s et 14 came 15 'd!would
country had not been ~ell-governed. 15 if 16 is 17 if 18 look: g wave 16 'd!would put
3 She said that Badley s government 19 13 20 willfeel 21 13 22 will 17 had 18 get 19'11be
had acted dIshonestly. 4 She said be 23 if 24 save
that they would form an honest