English Grammar Exercises - Part II
English Grammar Exercises - Part II
English Grammar Exercises - Part II
9. Some of the grain_____to be contaminated. - appear - appears 10.Three-quarters of the students_____against the tuition hike. - is - are 11. Three-quarters of the student body_____against the tuition hike. - is - are 12. A high percentage of the population_____voting for the new school. - is - are 13. A high percentage of the people_____voting for the new school. - was - were. 3. Answer the following questions: 1. What is the correct form of the verb in the sentence "Each of the dogs ____ sick"? A. is B. are 2. What is the correct form of the verb in the sentence "Some of the beer ____ cold"? A. is B. are 3. What is the correct form of the verb in the sentence "He is one of the professors that _____ too much"? A. talks B. talk
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4. What is the correct form of the verb in the sentence "He is one of the alumni that ____ each year to the scholarship"? A. contributes B. contribute 5. Which of the following sentences contains a verb agreement error? A. These are a collection of valuable nineteenth-century manuscripts. B. The professor that teaches nineteenth-century novels are interesting. C. The only dog that the buyers want are Dalmatians. D. All of the above E. None of the above 6. Which of the following sentences contains an error in agreement of pronoun and antecedent? A. Every student must bring their own dictionary to class. B. Most of the children have his own book. C. Does each of you have their book? D. all of the above E. none of the above 7. Which of the following verb forms correctly occurs in the blank in the sentence "____ everyone going to be there?" A. Is B. Are 8. Which of the following pronouns is correct in the blank in the sentence "Is one of the professors ready to present ____ paper?" A. their B. her 9. Which are the correct words for the blanks in the sentence "Each of the legislators ____ ____ own reason for voting `no'"? A. has his/her B. have their
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10. Which are the correct words for the blanks in the sentence "Everyone who said that it couldn't be done ____ now regretting ____ words"? A. is his/her B. are their 4. From the choices provided after each sentence select a word that would correctly complete the sentence:
1. The piano as well as the pipe organ ____________ to be tuned for
IS ARE
4. There ____________ a list of committee members on the head-table.
ARE IS
5. Everybody in the class ____________ done the homework well in
TAKE TAKES
reclaim a riverfront. HINT: Try starting the sentence with "Of those cities that . . . ." IS ARE
10. Some of the grain ____________ gone bad.
HAVE HAS 11. John or his brother ____________ going to be responsible for this. ARE IS 12. A few of the students ____________ doing so well they can skip the next course. ARE IS
13. Either the Committee on Course Design or the Committee on
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5. From the choices provided after each sentence select a word that would correctly complete the sentence:
1. Dr. Ferndon is one of those professors who ___________ distracted
HAVE HAS
3. Neither Luis nor his parents ___________ the least bit interested in
HAVE HAS
10. One of these students ___________ obviously cheated on the exam.
HAVE HAS
11. Either the UConn Women's Team or the UConn Men's Team
country next summer. IS ARE 13. Several of the students ___________ decided to withdraw from the course. HAVE HAS 6. From the choices provided after each sentence select a word that would correctly complete the sentence:
1. There ____________ several reasons why you should reconsider
ARE IS
4. The fishing boat that has been tied up at the pier for three days
____________ finally on its way this morning. Remember that a subject and its verb are not always together. WAS WERE
5. The chairman, along with his two assistants, ____________ to attend
PREPARE PREPARES
8. Not one of the performers ____________ at the party after the
WERE WAS
always reminded of the threat of tornadoes. IS ARE 7. In the paragraph below, the words in BOLD may be incorrect. In the space immediately after each such word, indicate if they are correct (with a C) or incorrect (with an I): Everyone who have 1.___ ever been to a graduation know 2.___ how exciting it can be for the graduates. In our town, nearly the whole population come 3.___ each year. There is 4.___ one thing that both graduates and guests enjoys: 5.___ the awarding of scholarships. This ceremony, along with the closing exercises, make 6.___ attending the graduation worthwhile. Several of the students who receives 7.___ awards plan 8.___ to attend the community college. Many former graduates is 9.___ grateful for opportunities that such an award provide 10. ___ 8. Select the appropriate verbs to complete each sentence correctly. There are thirty-three opportunities for error in these paragraphs. Caution: the singular verb is not always given first: Soccer or football (or foosball or futbol), as it is called by the rest of the world outside the United States is/are surely the most popular sport in the world. Every four years, the world championship of soccer, the World Cup, is/are watched by literally billions all over the world, beating out the United States professional football's Super bowl by far. It is estimated that 1.7 billion television viewers watched the World Cup final between France and Brazil in July of 1998. And it is also a genuine world championship, involving teams from 32 countries in the final rounds, unlike the much more parochial and misnamed World Series in American baseball (that dont/doesnt even involve Japan or Cuba, two baseball hotbeds). But although soccer has become an important sport in the American sports scene, it will never make inroads into the
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hearts and markets of American sports the way that football, basketball, hockey, baseball, and even tennis and golf has/have done. There are many reasons for this. Recently the New England Revolution beat the Tampa Bay Mutiny in a game played during a horrid rainstorm. Nearly 5000 fans showed up, which show/shows that soccer is, indeed, popular in the United States. However, the story of the game was/were buried near the back of the newspaper's sports section, and there was/were certainly no television coverage. In fact, the biggest reason for soccer's failure as a mass appeal sport in the United States is that it doesn't conform easily to the demands of television. Basketball succeeds enormously in America because it regularly schedule/schedules what it calls "television time-outs" as well as the timeouts that the teams themselves call to re-group, not to mention half-times and, on the professional level, quarter breaks. Those time-outs in the action is/are ideally made for television commercials. And television coverage is the lifeblood of American sports. College basketball live/lives for a game scheduled on CBS or ESPN (highly recruited high school players are more likely to go to a team that regularly gets national television exposure), and we could even say that television coverage has/have dictated the pace and feel of American football. Anyone who has/have attended a live football game knows how commercial time-outs slows/slow the game and sometimes, at its most exciting moments, disrupts/disrupt the flow of events. There is no serious objection, however, because without television, football knows that it simply wouldn't remain in the homes and hearts of Americans. Also, without those advertising dollars, the teams couldn't afford the sky-high salaries of their high-priced superstars. Soccer, on the other hand, except for its half-time break, has no time-outs; except for half-time, it is constant run, run, run, run, back and forth, back and forth, relentlessly, with only a few seconds of relaxation when a goal is scored, and that can happen seldom, sometimes never. The best that commercial television coverage can hope for is an injury time-out, and in soccer that happens/happen only with decapitation or disembowelment. Second, Americans love their violence, and soccer doesn't deliver on this score the way that American football and hockey do/does. There are brief moments, spurts of violence, yes, but fans can't expect the full-time menu of bone-crushing carnage that American football and hockey can deliver minute after minute, game after game. In soccer, players are actually singled out and warned shamed, with embarrassingly silly "yellow cards," for acts of violence and duplicity that would be smiled at in most American sports other than tennis and golf. Third, it is just too difficult to score in soccer. America loves/love its football games with scores like 49 to 35 and a professional basketball game with scores below 100 is/are regarded as a defensive bore. In soccer, on the
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other hand, scores like 2 to 1, even 1 to 0, is/are commonplace and apparently desirable; games scoreless at the end of regulation time happen all the time. (In the 515 games played in the final phase in the history of the World Cup games through 1994, only 1584 goals was/were scored. That's three a game!) And if there is/are no resolution at the end of overtime, the teams resort to a shoot-out that has/have more to do with luck than with real soccer skills. Worse yet, it is possible for a team to dominate in terms of sheer talent and "shots-on-goal" and still lose the game by virtue of a momentary lapse in defensive attention, a stroke of bad luck, and the opponent's break-away goal. Things like that can happen, too, in baseball, but the problem somehow even/evens out over baseball's very long season of daily games. In soccer, it just isn't fair. Soccer authorities should consider making the goal smaller and doing away with the goalie to make scoring easier. And the business of starting over after each goal, in the middle of the field, has/have to be reconsidered. It's too much like the center-jump after each goal in the basketball game of yesteryear. It seems/seem unlikely that Americans will ever fully comprehend or appreciate a sport in which players are not allowed to use their arms and hands. Although the footwork of soccer players is/are a magnificent skill to behold, most American fans are perplexed by straitjacketed soccer players' inability and unwillingness to "pick up the darn ball and run with it!" The inability to use substitutes (unless the players to be substituted for are lying dead or maimed on the field of play) is/are also bewildering to Americans, who glorify the "sixth man" in basketball and a baseball game in which virtually the entire roster (including an otherwise unemployable old man called "the designated hitter") is/are deployed on the field at one time or another. Finally, the field in soccer is enormous. Considerably larger than the American football field, the soccer field could contain at least a dozen basketball courts. Americans like their action condensed, in a small field of vision ten enormous sweaty people bouncing off one another and moving rapidly through a space the size of a medium-sized bedroom, twenty-two even larger people in bulky uniforms converging on a small, oddly shaped ball. In soccer, on the other hand, there is/are a premium on "spreading out," not infringing upon the force field occupied by a teammate, so that fancy foot-passing is possible. This spreading out across the vast meadow of the soccer playing field does/do not lend itself, again, to close get-down-and-dirty television scrutiny. Soccer is a great sport and it certainly deserves/deserve the increased attention and popularity it is getting on all levels. But primarily, again, because it does not lend itself to television it will never make it big in the United States the way these other sports has/have, not until it changes/change some of its fundamental strategies.
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9. After each sentence select the verb form that will best fit in the blank: 1. Carlos is the only one of those students who _____ lived up to the potential described in the yearbook. - has - have 2. The International Club, as well as the Choral Society and the Rowing Club, _____ to submit a new constitution. - need - needs 3. One of my best friends _____ an extra on Seinfeld this week. - are - is 4. Not only the students but also their instructor _____ been called to the principals office. - have - has 5. Most of the milk _____ gone bad. Six gallons of milk _____ still in the refrigerator. - has are - have .is 6. Each and every student and instructor in this building _____ for a new facility by next year. - hope - hopes 7. The students and instructors each _____ for a new facility by next year. - hopes - hope 8. Rice and beans, my favourite dish, _____ me of my native Puerto Rico. - remind - reminds
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9. A large number of voters still _____ along straight-party lines. - votes - vote 10.Four years _____ a long time to spend away from your friends and family. - are - is 11.Politics _____ sometimes a dirty business. - are - is 12.To an outsider, the economics of this country _____ to be in disarray. - seem - seems
2.3.1. Agreement Problems 1. This quiz will test your recognition of subject-verb agreement and pronoun choice problems. Select one answer from the choices provided after each sentence. The word you choose should correctly fill in the blank in the sentence: 1. Neither of us ________ able to predict the outcome of today's game. was were 2. Macaroni and cheese ________ my favourite dish. is are
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3. At the foot of the mountain ________ two enormous vineyards, both owned by the same woman. was were 4. A small percentage of the grain _______ ruined by the prolonged rain. was were 5. Most parents mistakenly think that mumps _______ been eliminated as a childhood disease. has have 6. Our college should change _______ policy about withdrawals. its their 7. Coaches Espinoza and Calhoun coach different sports. Neither Espinoza nor Calhoun scheduled ________ team for the gym this afternoon. her their 8. No one has offered to let us use _______ home for the department meeting. her their his or her
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9. If I ever find my glasses, I think I'll have ________ replaced. it them 10. General Motors will probably recall most of _________ four-wheel-drive vehicles. its their
2.4. VERB TENSES TUTORIAL Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses: SECTION 1 A) SIMPLE PRESENT / PRESENT CONTINUOUS
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.
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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. Simple Present/Present Continuous 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.
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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. Present Simple Negative Verbs Tom ___ like chocolate ice cream. a. doesn't b. don't I ___ understand, do you? a. doesn't b. don't Dr. Watson ___ smoke, does he? a. doesn't b. don't We ___ like classical music very much. a. doesn't b. don't Sally said she ___ want it anymore. a. doesn't b. don't Mr. Hill ___ live in New York. He lives in Boston. a. doesn't b. don't Rice ___ grow in cold climates. a. doesn't b. don't They like cofee, they ___ like tea. a. doesn't b. don't
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We are new here. We ___ know him. a. doesn't b. don't Harry has bad breath because he ___ brush his teeth very often. a. doesn't b. don't We are rich so we ___ have to work. a. doesn't b. don't Dave speaks English, French, and German, but he ___ speak Italian. a. doesn't b. don't They ___ sell that brand anymore. a. doesn't b. don't It is really a cheap restaurant, it ___ cost much to eat there. a. doesn't b. don't I have a television, but I ___ watch it often. a. doesn't b. don't That kind of earthquake ___ happen often. a. doesn't b. don't We live close to the sea, but we ___ go often. a. doesn't b. don't I love sumo, but I ___ like boxing. a. doesn't b. don't
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You ___ like me very much, do you? a. doesn't b. don't My son ___ like skiing. He likes snowboarding now. a. doesn't b. don't We ___ have time to do that on the way home. a. doesn't b. don't B) SIMPLE PAST / PAST CONTINUOUS 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. 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.
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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 came down. Simple Past / Past Continuous 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) __________
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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. C) SIMPLE PAST / PRESENT PERFECT 1. A: Did you like the movie "Star Wars"? B: I don't know. I (see, never) __________ that movie.
2. Sam (arrive) __________ in San Diego a week ago. 3. My best friend and I (know) __________ each other for over fifteen years. We still get together once a week. 4. Stinson is a fantastic writer. He (write) __________ ten very creative short stories in the last year. One day, he'll be as famous as Hemingway. 5. I (have, not) __________ this much fun since I (be) __________ a kid. 6. Things (change) __________ a great deal at Caltech, Inc. When we first (start) __________ working here three years ago, the company (have, only) __________ six employees. Since then, we (expand) __________ to include more than 2000 full-time workers. 7. I (tell) __________ him to stay on the path while he was hiking, but he (wander) __________ off into the forest and (be) __________ bitten by a snake. 8. Listen Donna, I don't care if you (miss) __________ the bus this morning. You (be) __________ late to work too many times. You are fired! 9. Sam is from Colorado, which is hundreds of miles from the coast, so he (see, never) __________ the ocean. He should come with us to Miami.
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10. How sad! George (dream) __________ of going to California before he died, but he didn't make it. He (see, never) __________ the ocean. 11. In the last hundred years, travelling (become) __________ much easier and very comfortable. In the 19th century, it (take) __________ two or three months to cross North America by covered wagon. The trip (be) __________ very rough and often dangerous. Things (change) __________ a great deal in the last hundred and fifty years. Now you can fly from New York to Los Angeles in a matter of hours. 12. Johnny, I can't believe how much you (change) __________ since the last time I (see) __________ you. You (grow) __________ at least a foot! 13. This tree (be) __________ planted by the settlers who (found) __________ our city over four hundred years ago. 14. This mountain (be, never) __________ climbed by anyone. Several mountaineers (try) __________ to reach the top, but nobody (succeed, ever) __________ The climb is extremely difficult and many people (die) __________ trying to reach the summit. 15. I (visit, never) __________ Africa, but I (travel) __________ to South America several times. The last time I (go) __________ to South America, I (visit) __________ Brazil and Peru. I (spend) __________ two weeks in the Amazon, (hike) __________ for a week near Machu Picchu, and (fly) __________ over the Nazca Lines.
Simple Past / Present Perfect Since computers were first introduced to the public in the early 1980's, technology (change) __________ a great deal. The first computers (be) __________ simple machines designed for basic tasks. They (have, not) __________ much memory and they (be, not) __________ very powerful. Early computers were often quite expensive and customers often (pay) __________ thousands of dollars for machines which actually (do) __________ very little. Most computers (be) __________ separate, individual machines used mostly as expensive typewriters or for playing games.
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Times (change) __________. Computers (become) __________ powerful machines with very practical applications. Programmers (create) __________ a large selection of useful programs which do everything from teaching foreign languages to bookkeeping. We are still playing video games, but today's games (become) __________ faster, more exciting interactive adventures. Many computer users (get, also) __________ on the Internet and (begin) __________ communicating with other computer users around the world. We (start) __________ to create international communities online. In short, the simple, individual machines of the past (evolve) __________ into an international World Wide Web of knowledge. D) PRESENT PERFECT / PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS 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. Present Perfect / Present Perfect Continuous 1. A: How long (be) __________ in Canada? B: I (study) __________ here for more than three years.
2. I (have) __________ the same car for more than ten years. I'm thinking about buying a new one. 3. I (love) __________ chocolate since I was a child. You might even call me a "chocoholic".
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4. Matt and Sarah (have) __________ some difficulties in their relationship lately, so they (go) __________ to a marriage counsellor. I hope they work everything out. 5. John (work) __________ for the government since he graduated from Harvard University. Until recently, he (enjoy) __________ his work, but now he is talking about retiring. 6. Lately, I (think) __________ about changing my career because I (become) __________ dissatisfied with the conditions at my company. 7. I (see) __________ Judy for more than five years and during that time I have (see) __________ many changes in her personality. E) 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.
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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. 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.
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Mr. Harris: No problem. I (study) __________ Spanish since elementary school. Mr. Smith: Sounds like you are the perfect candidate. F) SIMPLE PAST / PAST PERFECT I can't believe I (get) __________ that apartment. I (submit) __________ my application last week, but I didn't think I had a chance of actually getting it. When I (show) __________ up to take a look around, there were at least twenty other people who (arrive) __________ before me. Most of them (fill, already) __________ out their applications and were already leaving. The landlord said I could still apply, so I did. I (try) __________ to fill out the form, but I couldn't answer half of the questions. They (want) __________ me to include references, but I didn't want to list my previous landlord because I (have) __________ some problems with him and I knew he wouldn't recommend me. I (end) __________ up listing my father as a reference. It was total luck that he (decide) __________ to give me the apartment. It turns out that the landlord and my father (go) __________ to high school together. He decided that I could have the apartment before he (look) __________ at my credit report. I really lucked out!
G) SIMPLE PAST / PRESENT PERFECT / PAST PERFECT 1. When I (arrive) __________ home last night, I discovered that Jane (prepare) __________ a beautiful candle-lit dinner. 2. Since I began acting, I (perform) __________ in two plays, a television commercial and a TV drama. However, I (speak, never even) __________ publicly before I came to Hollywood in 1985.
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3. By the time I got to the office, the meeting (begin, already) __________ without me. My boss (be) __________ furious with me and I (be) __________ fired. 4. When I (turn) __________ the radio on yesterday, I (hear) __________ a song that was popular when I was in high school. I (hear, not) __________ the song in years, and it (bring) __________ back some great memories. 5. Last week, I (run) __________ into an ex-girlfriend of mine. We (see, not) __________ each other in years, and both of us (change) __________ a great deal. I (enjoy) __________ talking to her so much that I (ask) __________ her out on a date. We are getting together tonight for dinner. 6. When Jack (enter) __________ the room, I (recognize, not) __________ him because he (lose) __________ so much weight and (grow) __________ a beard. He looked totally different! 7. The Maya established a very advanced civilization in the jungles of the Yucatan; however, their culture (disappear, virtually) __________ by the time Europeans first (arrive) __________ in the New World. 8. I (visit) __________ so many beautiful places since I (come) __________ to Utah. Before moving here, I (hear, never) __________ of Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches or Canyon lands.
H) PAST PERFECT / PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS 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 theatre. When I arrived at the theatre, 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 theatre without us.
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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! several movies because of your late arrivals. I think you owe her an apology. And in the future, I suggest you be on time! I) PRESENT PERFECT / PAST PERFECT / / PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS / / PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS 1. It is already 9:30 pm and I (wait) __________ here for over an hour. If John does not get here in the next five minutes, I am going to leave. 2. I was really angry at John yesterday. By the time he finally arrived, I (wait) __________ for over an hour. I almost left without him. 3. Did you hear that Ben was fired last month? He (work) __________ for that import company for more than ten years and he (work) __________ in almost every department. Nobody knew the company like he did. 4. I (see) __________ many pictures of the pyramids before I went to Egypt. Pictures of the monuments are very misleading. The pyramids are actually quite small. 5. Sarah (climb) __________ the Matterhorn, (sail) __________ around the world, and (go) __________ on safari in Kenya. She is such an adventurous person. 6. Sarah (climb) __________ the Matterhorn, (sail) __________ around the world and (go) __________ on safari in Kenya by the time she turned twenty-five. She (experience) __________ more by that age than most people do in their entire lives. 7. When Melanie came into the office yesterday, her eyes were red and watery. I think she (cry) __________. J) PRESENT CONTINUOUS / SIMPLE PAST / / PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS / / PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS My English is really getting better. I (try) __________ to learn the language since 1985, but only recently have I been able to make some real progress. By the time I started high school in 1988, I (study) __________
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the language for almost three years; however, I was only able to introduce myself and utter a few memorized sentences. For a couple more years, I (struggle) __________ through grammar and vocabulary lessons, which made absolutely no difference. Nothing worked, so I decided to study abroad. I found an exchange program in England that sounded like the perfect answer. I (stay) __________ with a host family for one month. It was a huge disappointment! I (sit) __________ there the whole time staring at the host mother and father hoping that there would be some breakthrough. Nothing. When I returned, I mentioned to a friend that I (have) __________ problems with the language for years. He recommended that I spend a year in an English speaking country. I decided to go abroad again. I (research) __________ exchange programs for a couple of weeks and finally decided on a school in the United States. Well, it worked. I (live) __________ and (study) __________ in the U.S. for more than two years. I (stay) __________ here for at least another year before I return home. By then, I should be completely fluent. SECTION 2 A) PRESENT AND PAST TENSES AND NON-CONTINUOUS VERBS 1.a. Look, I (have) __________ two tickets for the circus. 1.b. Look, I (hold) __________ two tickets for the circus. 2.a. We (be) __________ there for more than half an hour by the time the show began. 2.b. We (wait) __________ there for more than half an hour by the time the show began. 3.a. Sam (sit) __________ in the seat next to me when the clown threw a bucket of water at me. 3.b. Sam (be) __________ in the seat next to me when the clown threw a bucket of water at me. 4.a. One clown was juggling while he (balance) __________ a glass of wine on his head. 4.b. One clown was juggling while he (have) __________ a glass of wine on his head.
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5.a. I (love) __________ the circus ever since I was a child. 5.b. I (go) __________ to the circus ever since I was a child. 6.a. Right now, I (see) __________ two elephants doing tricks in the ring. 6.b. Right now, I (look) __________ at two elephants doing tricks in the ring. B) 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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SECTION 3 A) WILL / BE GOING TO 1. 2. 3. A: Why are you holding a piece of paper? B: I (write) __________ a letter to my friends back home in Texas. A: I'm about to fall asleep. I need to wake up! B: I (get) __________ you a cup of coffee. That will wake you up. A: I can't hear the television! B: I (turn) __________ it up so you can hear it.
4. We are so excited about our trip next month to France. We (visit) __________ Paris, Nice and Grenoble. 5. Sarah (come) __________ to the party. Oliver (be) __________ there as well. 6. A: It is so hot in here! B: I (turn) __________ the air conditioning on.
7. I think he (be) __________ the next President of the United States. 8. After I graduate, I (attend) __________ medical school and become a doctor. I have wanted to be a doctor all my life. 9. A: Excuse me, I need to talk to someone about our hotel room. I am afraid it is simply too small for four people. B: That man at the service counter (help) __________ you. 10. As soon as the weather clears up, we (walk) __________ down to the beach and go swimming. 1. Mark: What are you doing with those scissors? Beth: I (cut) __________ that picture of the ocean out of the travel magazine. Mark: What (you, do) __________ with it?
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Beth: I (paint) __________ a water colour of the ocean for my art class, and I thought I could use this photograph as a model. 2. Mark: (You, do) __________ me a favour Sam? Sam: Sure, what do you want me to do? Mark: I (change) __________ the broken light bulb in the lamp above the dining room table. I need someone to hold the ladder for me while I am up there. Sam: No problem, I (hold) __________ it for you. 3. Gina: Where are you going? Ted: I (go) __________ to the store to pick up some groceries. Gina: What (you, get) __________? Ted: I (buy) __________ some milk, some bread, and some coffee. 4. John: Wow, it's freezing out there. Jane: I (make) __________ some coffee to warm us up. Do you want a piece of pie as well? John: Coffee sounds great! But I (have) __________ dinner with some friends later, so I'd better skip the pie. Jane: I (go) __________ to dinner tonight too, but I'm having a piece of pie anyway. 5. Frank: I heard you're taking a Spanish class at the community college. Tom: Yeah, I (go) __________ to Guatemala next spring and I thought knowing a little Spanish would make the trip easier. Frank: I (visit) __________ my brother in Marseilles next year. Maybe I should take a French class. Tom: I have a course catalog in the other room. I (go) __________ get it, and we can see whether or not they're offering a French course next semester. 1. Michael: Do you think the Republicans or the Democrats (win) __________ the next election? Jane: I think the Republicans (win) __________ the next election. John: No way! The Democrats (win) __________.
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2. Susan: We (go) __________ camping this weekend. Would you like to come along? Sam: That sounds great, but I don't have a sleeping bag. Susan: No problem. I (lend) __________ you one. My family has tons of camping gear. 3. Barbara: I (buy) __________ a new car this weekend, but I'm a little worried because I don't really know much about cars. I'm afraid the salesman (try) __________ to take advantage of me when he sees how little I know. Dave: I used to work for a mechanic in high school and I know a lot about cars. I (go) __________ with you to make sure you are not cheated. 4. Gina: Fred and I (visit) __________ Santa Fe next summer. Have you ever been there? Margaret: My family lives in Santa Fe! I (give) __________ you my parents' phone number. When you get to Santa Fe, just call them and they (give) __________ you a little tour of the town. They can show you some of the sights that most tourists never see. 5. Pam: Can you see my future in the crystal ball? What (happen) __________ next year? Fortune Teller: You (meet) __________ a man from the East Coast, perhaps New York or maybe Boston. You (marry) __________ that mystery man. Pam: Forget the man! I want to know if I (get) __________ a new job.
B) SIMPLE PRESENT / SIMPLE FUTURE 1. Today after I (get) __________ out of class, I (go) __________ to a movie with some friends. 2. When you (arrive) __________ in Stockholm, call my friend Gustav. He (show) __________ you around the city and help you get situated.
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3. A: Do you know what you want to do after you (graduate) __________? B: After I (receive) __________ my Master's from Georgetown University, I (go) __________ to graduate school at UCSD in San Diego. I (plan) __________ to complete a Ph.D. in cognitive science. 4. If it (snow) __________ this weekend, we (go) __________ skiing near Lake Tahoe. 5. Your father (plan) __________ to pick you up after school today at 3:00 o'clock. He (meet) __________ you across the street near the ice cream shop. If something happens and he cannot be there, I (pick) __________ you up instead. 6. If the people of the world (stop, not) __________ cutting down huge stretches of rain forest, we (experience) __________ huge changes in the environment during the twenty-first century. 7. If Vera (keep) __________ drinking, she (lose, eventually) __________ her job. 8. I promise you that I (tell, not) __________ your secret to anybody. Even if somebody (ask) __________ me about what happened that day, I (reveal, not) __________ the truth to a single person. 9. She (make) __________ some major changes in her life. She (quit) __________ her job and go back to school. After she (finish) __________ studying, she (get) __________ a better paying job and buy a house. She is going to improve her life! 10. Tom (call) __________ when he (arrive) __________ in Madrid. He (stay) __________ with you for two or three days until his new apartment (be) __________ available. 1. Michael: After you (leave) __________ work, will you please drop by the grocery store and pick up some milk and bread. Marie: No problem, I (pick) __________ up the groceries and be home by 6 o'clock. Michael: Great. You will probably get home before I (do) __________.
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2. Ari: By the time we (get) __________ to the movie theater, the tickets are going to be sold out. Sarah: Don't worry. I told Jane we might be arriving just before the movie (start) __________. She (buy) __________ our tickets and meet us in the lobby. Ari: That place is huge! We (find, never) __________ her in that crowded lobby. Sarah: Calm down, we (meet) __________ each other near the entrance. 3. Terry: If the weather (be) __________ good tomorrow, maybe we should go to the beach. Jennifer: I have a better idea. If it (be) __________ nice out, we'll go to the beach; and if it (rain) __________, we'll see a movie. Terry: I guess we will have to wait until we (get) __________ up in the morning to find out what we are going to do. 4. Max: What are you going to do tomorrow after work? Sean: I (meet) __________ some friends at the cafe across the street. Would you like to come along? Max: No thanks! My brother is coming to town and I (pick) __________ him up from the airport at 7 o'clock. Sean: We (be, probably) __________ at the cafe until 9 o'clock. Why don't you join us after you (pick) __________ him up. Max: Sounds good. We (see) __________ you around 8 o'clock. 5. Lucy: I (call) __________ you as soon as I arrive in Dublin. Dwain: If I am not there when you (call) __________, make sure to leave a message. Lucy: I will. And please don't forget to water my plants and feed the cat. Dwain: I promise I (take) __________ care of everything while you are in Ireland.
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C) SIMPLE FUTURE / FUTURE CONTINUOUS 1. Sandra: Where is Tim going to meet us? Marcus: He (wait) __________ for us when our train arrives. I am sure he (stand) __________ on the platform when we pull into the station. Sandra: And then what? Marcus: We (pick) __________ Michele up at work and go out to dinner. 2. Ted: When we get to the party, Jerry (watch) __________ TV, Sam (make) __________ drinks, Beth (dance) __________ by herself, and Thad (complain) __________ about his day at work. Robin: Maybe, this time they won't be doing the same things. Ted: I am absolutely positive they (do) __________ the same things; they always do the same things. 3. Florence: Oh, look at that mountain of dirty dishes! Who (wash) __________ all of those? Jack: I promise I (do) __________ them when I get home from work. Florence: Thanks. Jack: When you get home this evening, that mountain will be gone and nice stacks of sparkling clean dishes (sit) __________ in the cabinets. 4. Doug: If you need to contact me next week, I (stay) __________ at the Hoffman Hotel. Nancy: I (call) __________ you if there are any problems. Doug: This is the first time I have ever been away from the kids. Nancy: Don't worry, they (be) __________ fine. 5. Samantha: Just think, next week at this time, I (lie) __________ on a tropical beach in Maui drinking Mai Tai's and eating pineapple. Darren: While you are luxuriating on the beach, I (stress) __________ out over this marketing project. How are you going to enjoy yourself knowing that I am working so hard. Samantha: I 'll manage somehow. Darren: You're terrible. Can't you take me with you? Samantha: No. But I (send) __________ you a postcard of a beautiful, white-sand beach. Darren: Great, that (make) __________ me feel much better.
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D) SIMPLE PRESENT / SIMPLE FUTURE / / PRESENT CONTINUOUS / FUTURE CONTINUOUS 1. Right now I am watching T.V. Tomorrow at this time, I (watch) __________ T.V. as well. 2. Tomorrow after school, I (go) __________ to the beach. 3. I am going on a dream vacation to Tahiti. While you (do) __________ paperwork and (talk) __________ to annoying customers on the phone, I (lie) __________ on a sunny, tropical beach. Are you jealous? 4. We (hiding) __________ when Tony (arrives) __________ at his surprise party. As soon as he opens the door, we (jump) __________ out and (scream) __________, "Surprise!" 5. We work out at the fitness center everyday after work. If you (come) __________ over while we (work) __________ out, we will not be able to let you into the house. Just to be safe, we (leave) __________ a key under the welcome mat so you will not have to wait outside. 6. While you (study) __________ at home, Magda (be) __________ in class. 7. When I (get) __________ to the party, Sally and Doug (dance) __________, John (make) __________ drinks, Sue and Frank (discuss) __________ something controversial, and Mary (complain) __________ about something unimportant. They are always doing the same things. They are so predictable. 8. When you (got) __________ off the plane, I (wait) __________ for you. 9. I am sick of rain and bad weather! Hopefully, when we (wake) __________ up tomorrow morning, the sun (shine) __________. 10. If you (need) __________ to contact me sometime next week, I (stay) __________ at the Sheraton in San Francisco.
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E) FUTURE PERFECT / FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS 1) Margaret: Do you think everything will be finished when I get back from the store? Jerry: Don't worry. By the time you get back, I (pick) __________ up the living room and (finish) __________ washing the dishes. Everything will be perfect when your parents arrive. Margaret: I hope so. They (arrive) __________ around 6 o'clock. Jerry: Everything (be) __________ spotless by the time they get here. 2) Nick: I just have two more courses before I graduate from university. By this time next year, I (graduate) __________ and I will already be looking for a job. Stacey: Does that scare you? Are you worried about the future? Nick: Not really. I (go) __________ to a career counsellor and get some advice on how to find a good job. Stacey: That's a good idea. Nick: I am also going to do an internship so that when I leave school, I (complete, not, only) __________ over 13 business courses, but I (work, also) __________ in the real world. 3) Stan: Did you hear that Christine (take) __________ a vacation in South America this winter? Fred: I can't believe how often she goes abroad. Where exactly does she want to go? Stan: She (visit) __________ Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. Fred: At this rate, she (visit) __________ every country in the world by the time she's 50. 4) Judy: How long have you been in Miami? Elaine: I have only been here for a couple of weeks. Judy: How long do you plan on staying? Elaine: I love Miami, so I (stay) __________ here for an extended period of time. When I go back home, I (be) __________ here for more than three months. Judy: Wow, that's quite a vacation! You (see, definitely) __________ just about everything there is to see in Miami by then.
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5) Jane: I can't believe how late we are! By the time we get to the dinner, everyone (finish, already) __________ eating. Jack: It's your own fault. You took way too long in the bathroom. Jane: I couldn't get my hair to look right. Jack: Who cares? By the time we get there, everyone (left) __________. Nobody (see,even) __________ your hair. 1) By the time we get to Chicago this evening, we (drive) __________ more than four hundred miles. We are going to be exhausted. 2. When Sarah goes on vacation next month, she (study) __________ German for over two years. She should be able to communicate fairly well while she is in Austria. 3. I have not travelled much yet; however, I (visit) __________ the Grand Canyon and San Francisco by the time I leave the United States. 4. By the time you finish studying the verb tense tutorial, you (master) __________ all twelve tenses including their passive forms. 5. Drive faster! If you don't hurry up, she (have) __________ the baby by the time we get to the hospital. 6. I came to England six months ago. I started my economics course three months ago. When I return to Australia, I (study) __________ for nine months and I (be) __________ in England for exactly one year. 7. Margie just called and said she would be here at 8:00 o'clock. By the time she gets here, we (wait) __________ for her for two hours. 8. Frank just changed jobs again. If he keeps this up, he (change) __________ jobs at least four or five times by the end of the year. 9. Come over to my house around 9 o'clock. By then, I (complete) __________ my history essay and we can go see a movie. 10. In June, my grandmother and grandfather (be) __________ married for fifty years.
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1) Jack: Have you been watching the Eco-Challenge on TV? Janet: Isn't that exciting? It has got to be the most unbelievably difficult sporting event in the world. Jack: I know. By the time they finish the course, they (raft) __________ more than 150 miles down a raging river, (hike) __________ through 80 miles of jungle, (climb) __________ a volcano and (kayak) __________ through shark-infested waters. Janet: And don't forget that they (move) __________ for at least eight days straight. 2) Oliver: When are going to get your Bachelor degree, Anne? Anne: I am going to finish my degree next June. By the time I graduate, I (go) __________ to four different colleges and universities, and I (study) __________ for more than seven years. Oliver: Wow, that's a long time! Anne: And I plan to continue on to get a Ph.D. Oliver: Really? How long is that going to take? Anne: By the time I finally finish studying, I (be) __________ a student for over 13 years. 3) Max: Sarah has been in the kitchen all day long. Jake: It doesn't sound like she's having a very good Thanksgiving. Max: She (cook) __________ for over seven hours by the time everyone arrives for dinner this afternoon. Hopefully, she (finish) __________ everything by then. Jake: Maybe we should help her out. 4) Mike: It's 6:00, and I have been working on my essay for over three hours. Sid: Do you think you (finish) __________ by 10:00. There's a party at Donna's tonight. Mike: I (complete, probably) __________ the essay by 10:00, but I (work) __________ on it for more than seven hours and I don't think I am going to feel like going to a party.
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5) Fred: By the time they finish their trip across Yosemite National Park, they (hike) __________ for more than six days. Ginger: And they (be, not) __________ in a bed or (have) __________ a shower in almost a week! Fred: When we pick them up, they (eat) __________ camping food for days, and I am sure they will be starving. Ginger: I think we had better plan on taking them directly to a restaurant. F) FUTURE CONTINUOUS / FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS 1) Simona: Margaret is really going to speak Spanish well when she gets back from that language school in Mexico? Isabelle: Hopefully! She (take) __________ classes for more than six months. Simona: She is going to be able to speak Spanish with some of our Latin American clients. Isabelle: Good. Two clients from Peru (visit) __________ us next month when Margaret returns. We need someone to entertain them while they are here. 2) Jason: I am leaving! Nurse: If you would please wait, the doctor will be with you in ten minutes. The doctor is having some problems with a patient. Jason: The doctor was having problems with that patient an hour ago. If I wait another ten minutes, I am sure he (have, still) __________ problems with her. By the time he's finally ready to see me, I (wait) __________ for more than two hours. 3) Frank: What are you going to be doing tomorrow at five? Debbie: I (paint) __________ painting my living room walls. Frank: Still? How long have you been working on your living room. Debbie: Forever. By the time I finish, I (redecorate) __________ the living room for over a week. Frank: Too bad. I was going to ask go if you wanted to see a movie. What about the day after tomorrow? Debbie: Sorry, I (move) __________ furniture and (put) __________ up drapes.
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4) Mr. Jones: What are you going to be doing next year at this time? Mr. McIntyre: I (work) __________ for a big law firm in New Orleans. Mr. Jones: I didn't know you were leaving Baton Rouge. Mr. McIntyre: I got a great job offer which I just can't refuse. Besides, by the time I move, I (live) __________ in Baton Rouge for over twenty years. I think it's about time for a change.
SECTION 4 VERB TENSE PRACTICE TEST Cumulative Verb Tense REVIEW 1. You look really great! (You, exercise) __________ at the fitness center? 2. A: What (you, do) __________ when the accident occurred? B: I (try) __________ to change a light bulb that had burnt out.
3. I (have) __________ the same car for more than ten years. I'm thinking about buying a new one. 4. If it (snow) __________ this weekend, we (go) __________ skiing near Lake Tahoe. 5. A: What do you call people who work in libraries? B: They (call) __________ librarians.
6. I came to England six months ago. I started my economics course three months ago. When I return to Australia, I (study) __________ for nine months and I (be) __________ in England for exactly one year. 7. Sam (arrive) __________ in San Diego a week ago. 8. Samantha (live) __________ in Berlin for more than two years. In fact, she (live) __________ there when the Berlin wall came down. 9. If Vera (keep) __________ drinking, she (lose, eventually) __________ her job.
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10. The Maya established a very advanced civilization in the jungles of the Yucatan; however, their culture (disappear, virtually) __________ by the time Europeans first (arrive) __________ in the New World. 11. Shhhhh! Be quiet! John (sleep) __________. 12. It (rain) __________ all week. I hope it stops by Saturday because I want to go to the beach. 13. Listen Donna, I don't care if you (miss) __________ the bus this morning. You (be) __________ late to work too many times. You are fired! 14. I am sick of rain and bad weather! Hopefully, when we (wake) __________ up tomorrow morning, the sun (shine) __________. 15. I have not traveled much yet; however, I (visit) __________ the Grand Canyon and San Francisco by the time I leave the United States. 16. I (see) __________ many pictures of the pyramids before I went to Egypt. Pictures of the monuments are very misleading. The pyramids are actually quite small. 17. In the last hundred years, travelling (become) __________ much easier and very comfortable. In the 19th century, it (take) __________ two or three months to cross North America by covered wagon. The trip (be) __________ very rough and often dangerous. Things (change) __________ a great deal in the last hundred and fifty years. Now you can fly from New York to Los Angeles in a matter of hours. 18. 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. 19. When I (arrive) __________ home last night, I discovered that Jane (prepare) __________ a beautiful candle-lit dinner. 20. If you (need) __________ to contact me sometime next week, I (stay) __________ at the Sheraton in San Francisco.
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SECTION 5 VERB TENSE FINAL TEST Cumulative Verb Tense REVIEW 1. When Carol (call) __________ last night, I (watch) __________ my favourite show on television. 2. I (work) __________ for this company for more than thirty years, and I intend to stay here until I retire! 3. Sharon (love) __________ to travel. She (go) __________ abroad almost every summer. Next year, she plans to go to Peru. 4. Thomas is an author. He (write) __________ mystery novels and travel memoirs. He (write) __________ since he was twenty-eight. Altogether, he (write) __________ seven novels, three collections of short stories and a book of poetry. 5. We were late because we had some car problems. By the time we (get) __________ to the train station, Susan (wait) __________ for us for more than two hours. 6. Sam (try) __________ to change a light bulb when he (slip) __________ and (fell) __________. 7. Everyday I (wake) __________ up at 6 o'clock, (eat) __________ breakfast at 7 o'clock and (leave) __________ for work at 8 o'clock. However, this morning I (get) __________ up at 6:30, (skip) __________ breakfast and (leave) __________ for work late because I (forget) __________ to set my alarm. 8. Right now, Jim (read) __________ the newspaper and Kathy (make) __________ dinner. Last night at this time, they (do) __________ the same thing. She (cook) __________ and he (read) __________ the newspaper. Tomorrow at this time, they (do, also) __________ the same thing. She (prepare) __________ dinner and he (read) __________. They are very predictable people! 9. By this time next summer, you (complete) __________ your studies and (find) __________ a job. I, on the other hand, (accomplish, not)
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__________ anything. I (study, still) __________ and you (work) __________ in some new high paying job. 10. The students (be, usually) __________ taught by Mrs. Monty. However, this week they (be) __________ taught by Mr. Tanzer. 11. Jane talks on the phone. Bob has been talking on the phone for an hour. Mary is talking on the phone. Who is not necessarily on the phone now? __________ 12. I'm going to make dinner for Frank. I'm making dinner for Judy. I'll make dinner for Mary. I make dinner for Ted. I will be making dinner for Tony. Who are you offering to make dinner for? __________ 13. Jane left when Tim arrived. Bob left when Tim had arrived. Tim arrived when Mary was leaving. John had left when Tim arrived. After Tim arrived, Frank left. Who did not run into Tim? __________ 14. Jane is talking in class. Bob always talks in class. Mary is always talking in class. Whose action bothers you? __________ 15. Jane never left Jamestown. Bob has never left Jamestown. Who is still alive? __________
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2.5. VERB TENSE CONSISTENCY Directions: The following paragraphs (in blue font) are taken from Carolyn Chute's novel The Beans of Egypt, Maine. Chute's novel maintains a striking immediacy through her unusual and consistent use of the present tense; things happen in a kind of perpetual now. . Select the present tense verbs and change them into past tense verb. Don't change tenses within quoted language and be careful not to change the form of verb forms that are not actually verbs. When you've finished changing all the verbs, consider how the text has changed. What have you lost (or gained) by changing the verbs? What verbs didn't you change, and why not? He moves up the mountain like a packhorse, crunching many small sticks and branches underfoot. She rides on his shoulders like a child. She wears a child-sized summer dress, and her bare legs are almost lost in his beard. Her hair is almost a fluorescent yellow. She is still very bony, very white, very silent. She smells of her morning bath On the mountains are countless birches: gray, gold, and the white, some of the young ones bending from last winters pitiless snows. There is not much shade here. Birds scream from all directions. Earlene says, Im not Roberta, you know. Beal grunts over a stone wall and crashes through fern and over soggy ground. I wish you were, he says. Her throat tightens. She holds down a garbled scream. They go into a dark pine grove and his boots hiss. They can hear a brook. A dragonfly tests Earlenes hair, then veers away. Beal walks slowly toward the brook. He carries her higher, higher, over a barbed wire. Her yellow hair attracts another dragonfly. This one buzzes in Earlenes ear. She swipes at it. Beal wears his railroad cap, his dark sunglasses. She feels the packhorse muscles of his shoulders and neck working, and his arteries beat against her legs. I HATE Roberta, Earlene almost sobs. Daddy says its just a matter of time before the health department shuts her down. He is silent. When he comes to the brook, he crosses on round, flat stones. He stops and looks up at the trees, at their autumnal
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mauve. He stands stock-still except for his hands, which stroke Earlenes ankles, prod the hardness of her nails. Then he turns. Below are the tiny roves, a tatter of field, the broad violet hills, here and there a ruffled pond. He stands and stands and stands, a shoulder muscle quivering now and then, his bearing unfriendly, packhorse silent.
Carolyn Chute, The Beans of Egypt, Maine, Ticknor & Fields, New York, 1985, 149150.
Select one answer from the choices provided after each sentence. The word you choose should fit the blank in the sentence: 1. When one has been going to college for as long as he has, ____________ to think the college owes _______ a degree. you start; you one starts; one he starts; him 2. Spring begins early in Tennessee. First, the forsythia bursts into blossom; then the dogwood trees _______ to bloom, and the redbud is soon in its glory. begin began 3. The poetry of Robert Frost (1874-1963) often seems to suggest some kind of fate controls our lives. His essays, too, ____________ a similar malignant presence. indicate indicated 4. We have never seen this kind of impatience in the media before. ________ think it has something to do with the weather. You We
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5. The climate of New Zealand can be a pleasure for you if _______ don't mind a little rain. we he you 6. Aunt Mina wrote to tell us of her recent trip to California. She said it was a delightful journey on the plane. Seeing her brother again _________ a real treat. is was 7. When NYPD Blue went off the air in May, many viewers felt they had lost a friend in ________ own family. his our their 2.6. IRREGULAR VERBS
Most verbs in English form their various tenses consistently: add -ed to the base of a verb to create the simple past and past participle: he walked; he has walked. There are, however, a number of so-called irregular verbs, (including, unfortunately, some very common verbs such as to be and to have) whose various forms must be memorized. 2.6.1. Irregular Verb Chart: Simple Present Tense Simple Past Tense Past Participle
arise awake am / is / are bear beat become begin bend bet arose awoke was, were bore beat became began bent bet arisen awoken been borne beaten become begun bent bet
110 bind bite bleed blow break breed bring build burn buy cast catch choose cling come cost creep cut deal dig dive do drag draw dream drink drive drown eat fall feed feel fight find fit bound bit bled blew broke bred brought built burned, burnt bought cast caught chose clung came cost crept cut dealt dug dived, dove did dragged drew dreamed, dreamt drank drove drowned ate fell fed felt fought found fit bound bitten bled blown broken bred brought built burned, burnt bought cast caught chosen clung come cost crept cut dealt dug dived done dragged drawn dreamed, dreamt drunk driven drowned eaten fallen fed felt fought found fit
111 flee fling fly forbid forget forgive forsake forswear foretell freeze get give go grind grow hang (suspend) have hang (execute) hear hide hold hurt keep kneel knit know lay (put) lead leap learn leave lend let lie (recline) light fled flung flew forbade forgot forgave forsook forswore foretold froze got gave went ground grew hung had hanged heard hid held hurt kept knelt, kneeled knit, knitted knew laid led leapt, leaped learnt, learned left lent let lay lighted, lit fled flung flown forbidden forgotten, forgot forgiven forsaken forsworn foretold frozen gotten, got given gone ground grown hung had hanged heard hidden held hurt kept knelt, kneeled knit, knitted known laid led leapt, leaped learnt, learned left lent let lain lighted, lit
112 lose make mean meet mislay mislead misspeak misspend pay prove put quit read ride ring rise run saw say see seek sell send set shake shed shine shoe shoot show shrink shut sing sink sit lost made meant met mislaid misled misspoke misspent paid proved put quit read rode rang rose ran sawed said saw sought sold sent set shook shed shone shod shot showed shrank shut sang sank sat lost made meant met mislaid misled misspoken misspent paid proved, proven put quit read ridden rung risen run sawn said seen sought sold sent set shaken shed shone shod shot shown shrunk, shrunken shut sung sunk sat
113 slay sleep slide sling speak spend spin spread spring stand steal stick sting stink strike string strive swear sweep swim swing take teach tear tell think throw tread wake wear understand win wind wring write slew slept slid slung spoke spent spun spread sprang stood stole stuck stung stank struck strung strove swore swept swam swung took taught tore told thought threw trod woke wore understood won wound wrung wrote slain slept slid slung spoken spent spun spread sprung stood stolen stuck stung stunk struck, stricken strung striven sworn swept swum swung taken taught torn told thought thrown trodden woken worn understood won wound wrung written
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1. In the space provided, write the proper form of the irregular verb named in parentheses after the space. Either a simple past or a participle form of the verb will be required. (Dont write more than one word in each space): Last October we __________ (to swim) in the lagoon, out where the old freighter had __________ (to sink). We __________ (to ride) our bikes to the park and Bobby __________ (to lead) us to Bristle Cove where we __________ (to dive)* off the rocks into the cold water. It __________ (to be) late in the season, but the water had not __________ (to freeze), and we __________ (to wear) wetsuits. He __________ (to fly) to Vancouver in September. (He __________ (to choose) to fly United Airlines, which had __________ (to run) ads all that summer.) His grandchildren had __________ (to grow) up there and he hadn't __________ (to see) them in years. He hadn't __________ (to write) to them or __________ (to speak) on the phone with them either. At the Vancouver airport, he __________ (to drag) his suitcase to a rental car and __________ (to drive) to their home to surprise them. He __________ (to take) his time walking up the driveway, and then he __________ (to ring) the doorbell. Juan __________ (to lie) on the couch and his sister __________ (to sit) on the floor nearby. Gordo, their hairy dog, __________ (to shake) himself violently and Juan __________ (to rise) from the couch. "I __________ (to throw) the frisbee to this mutt all morning," he __________ (to say). "And we __________ (to run) around the park twice, and he still wants to play."
2. In the space provided, write the proper form of the irregular verb named in parentheses after the space: A. 1. John__________ (to drive) to Oklahoma City in his mothers Chevy. 2. We left the cat out last night and it nearly__________ (to freeze) to death. 3. I think my nephew has__________ (to grow) two inches since last summer. 4. My brother has been__________ (to lie) in bed all morning. 5. The Titanic__________ (to sink) in less than six hours. 6. Grandpa__________ (to shake) the dust from the mop. 7. The symphony has already__________ (to begin)
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pond. 10. Roxy has__________ (to flown) back and forth across the country. B.
1. Jefferson had__________ (to write) most of the preamble the day 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
before. The senator__________ (to rise) from his bed this morning, unaware that he had won the election. The bee__________ (to sting) him right on the neck. I have__________ (to swim) the English Channel four times. Applauding, the senators__________ (to spring) to their feet. The momentum seems to have__________ (to swing) to the other side. Socrates__________ (to drink) the poisonous hemlock. The snakes__________ (to lie) in the sun all afternoon. The gladiators__________ (to fight) to the bitter end. Irregular Verbs Crossword Puzzle
3.
Type the correct letter in each box. Each word spelled out will be either the simple past tense (pt) or the past participle (pp) of a common irregular verb:
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Across 1. freeze 4. spring (pt) 7. lose 10. rise 11. get 12. eat 13. swing 15. blow 16. to be 18. hang (suspend) 19. catch 21. lie (recline) 23. break 24. go 25. a-wake 26. tell 28. tear (pt) 29. stand Down 1. fall 2. swear (pt) 3. run 5. plead 6. grow 8. sit 9. know 13. sink (pp) 14. grind 15. become 17. shake 20. throw 21. lend 22. eat 24. weep
28 1
11
10
13
12
15
14
16
17
18
21
19
20
22
23
24
25
26
27
29
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27. lead
4. Put the verb in brackets in the correct simple past form. Note that some of these verbs are REGULAR and some are IRREGULAR: Emily Carr, British Columbia's most famous artist, __________ (be) born in 1871. Her parents __________ (die) when she was still a teenager. She __________ (study) art in San Francisco and Paris, but when she __________ (come) back to Victoria, she __________ (keep) a house called "The House of All Sorts", where she __________ (be) the landlady. Many years later, she __________ (begin) painting again. To find subjects for her paintings, she __________ (take) trips into the forests of British Columbia, and she often __________ (meet) with the First Nations people and ---(paint) them too. Emily Carr also __________ (write) several books, and she __________ (win) the Governor General's Award for one of them. 5. Choose the correct past tense form for each verb:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
catch (catched/ catch/ caught) get (got/ get/ gought) fit (fit/ fought/fat) set (set/sat/ sought) drink (drink/ drank/ drunk) have (have/ hove /had) bring (brought / bringed /brang) cut (cutted/ caught/ cut) find (found/ fand/find) teach (teach/ teached/ taught)
6. Answer the following questions: 1. Have you __________ studying for the TOEFL exam yet? began begun 2. Dave has _______ his Quiz Center. begun began
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3. Benjamin _________ Dave's glasses. broke broken 4. Have you ever _______ a promise? broke broken 5. Dave ______ the painting by himself. did done 6. Tak has _________ his best in my class. did done 7. Dave has ________ many strange things. eaten ate 8. Dave's students _______ all of his terrible cooking. ate eaten
The forms: If she were coming, she would be here by now. I insist that the chairman resign! Their main demand was that the lawsuit be dropped. These sentences all contain verbs in the subjunctive mood, which is used chiefly to express the speakers attitude about the likelihood or factuality of a given situation. If the verbs were in the indicative mood, we would expect she was coming in the first sentence, the chairman resigns in the second, and the lawsuit is dropped in the third.
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1. After each sentence, select the verb or verb string that best completes that sentence. Caution: the subjunctive form will not be the best choice in all sentences. 1. It is very important that all employees __________ in their proper uniforms before 6:30 a.m. A. are dressed B. will be dressed C. be dressed 2. I wish my brother __________ here. A. were B. was 3. The coach insisted that Fabio __________ the center position, even though he's much too short for that position.. A. plays B. play 4. Evelyn Pumita moved that the meeting __________. A. was adjourned B. be adjourned 5. My mother would know what to do. Oh, would that she __________ here with us now! A. were B. was 6. If only Jughead __________ a little more responsible in his choice of courses! A. was B. were 7. If Mrs. Lincoln __________ ill that night, the Lincolns would not have gone to Ford Theatre..
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A. were B. had been 8. Her employees treated Mrs. Greenblatt as though she __________ a queen. A. was B. were 9. If his parents __________ more careful in his upbringing, Holden Caulfield would have been quite different. A. had been B. were 10. I wish I __________ better today. A. feel B. felt
There are two kinds of Conditional: real and unreal. Real Conditional describes real-life situations. Unreal Conditional describes unreal, imaginary situations. Although the various Conditional forms might seem quite abstract at first, they are actually some of the most useful structures in English and are commonly included in daily conversations. Conditional Overview with Examples
Present Real Conditional If I have time, I study English. (Sometimes I have time.) Past Real Conditional Present Unreal Conditional If I had time, I would study English. (I don't have time.) Past Unreal Conditional
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If I had time, I studied English. (Sometimes I had time.) Future Real Conditional If I have time, I will study English. If I have time, I am going to study English. (I don't know if I will have time or not.) Other forms possible.
If I had had time, I would have studied English. (I didn't have time.) Future Unreal Conditional
If I had time, I would study English. (I won't have time.) Other forms possible.
1. In each set of sentences below, there will be a blank. Select the verb form that will complete the sentence correctly. In some situations, more than one choice will be possible, and you should indicate that with your selection. . 1. My brother is only five feet tall. If he __________ a foot taller, he would be a great basketball player. was is were 2. Tashonda graduated from college last spring. If she __________, I think her mother would have told her to leave the house. was not graduated is graduating had not graduated 3. I am terribly afraid of heights. If I __________ that tall tree in the front yard, I would die. climb climbed both of the previous two responses are correct 4. Agha Kahndu is a very smart lad. If he __________ to work hard, he is going to be the class valedictorian. continues
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continued will continue 5. This is a perfect spring day. If it __________, I would stay home and study. rains will rain rained 6. If I __________ enough money, I would get my brother's guitar out of the pawnshop for him. have had will have 7. My brother pawned his guitar to pay his rent. If only I __________ enough money, I would have paid his rent for him. had had would have had both of the previous two responses are correct 8. Josie is a lousy cook. If Josie __________ her lasagna for her fiance, he would get sick and not marry her. were to cook cooked both of the previous two responses are correct cooks 2. Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate Conditional form: 1. They cancelled all the flights out of Chicago today because of the blizzard. If it (snow, not) __________ so hard, I would not be stuck in the airport.
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2. Charles arrived late again to work yesterday. He came running into the office complaining of car problems, but everyone knew it was a lie. If the boss (stand) __________ there when he showed up, I am sure he would have been fired. 3. If I were in Hawaii right now, I (sunbathe) __________ on a beach. I would not be stuck here in this office with mountains of paperwork. 4. John is so incredibly lazy! If we went over to his house right now, I bet he (lie) __________ on the couch with some pizza in one hand and a remote control in the other. 5. If I were a millionaire, I (work, not) __________ here in this factory. I (shop) __________ in Paris, (ski) __________ in Innsbruck or (sail) __________ the Mediterranean on my super yacht. 6. I wish we had time to organize a surprise party for Linda. If all of her friends (sit) __________ in her apartment waiting for her when she gets home from work tomorrow, she would be so surprised! 7. If she (stay) __________ in that hotel next week while the trade show is being held, she might be able to meet some contacts and tell them about our new line of computer software. 8. When Mike came home yesterday, he claimed he had been jogging. I didn't believe a word he said. If he had really been jogging, he (sweat) __________, or at least out of breath. I think he went down to the coffee shop and had a donut. 9. Jane's plane arrived a half an hour ahead of schedule. If we hadn't decided to go to the airport early, she (wait) __________ there a long time before we arrived. 10. If Sam hadn't stopped to pick up that quarter, he (cross) __________ the street when the car ran the red light. He could have been killed! 11. When I went up to the cash register to pay for the Coke, the lady behind the counter was talking to a friend of hers on the phone. I waited and waited until I finally had to demand that she help me. If I hadn't said anything, I (wait) __________ there for hours. 12. I am looking out the window right now and I see children playing soccer and hide-and-go-seek in the street. If it were winter, it would be too
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cold to play outside. All the kids would be indoors. They (watch) __________ TV, (read) __________ books or (play) __________ board games with their friends. 13. If Bob (stand, not) __________ behind us right now, I would tell you what happened. Just wait until he leaves, and I'll tell you the whole story. 14. Did you hear about the bomb the terrorists planted on the plane yesterday? A bag full of plastic explosives was in the cargo bay. Luckily, nobody was hurt. The plane with the bomb was having some engine problems, so the passengers had to disembark. If they hadn't had difficulties with the engine, the passengers (sit) __________ in the plane when the bomb went off. Talk about a miracle! 15. If you went to the studio early tomorrow morning, you (wait) __________ there when the actors arrive for work. I'm sure you could get ten or twenty autographs that way.
Helping verbs or auxiliary verbs such as will, shall, may, might, can, could, must, ought to, should, would, used to, need are used in conjunction with main verbs to express shades of time and mood. The combination of helping verbs with main verbs creates what are called verb phrases or verb strings. In the following sentence, "will have been" are helping or auxiliary verbs and "studying" is the main verb; the whole verb string is underlined: As of next August, I will have been studying chemistry for ten years. 1. From the choices provided after each sentence select the verb that would correctly complete the sentence: 1. You seem to be having trouble there. __________ I help you? Would Will
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Shall
2. I don't have enough money to buy lunch. __________ you lend me a couple of dollars? May Could Shall 3. That ice is dangerously thin now. You __________ go ice-skating today. mustn't might not would mind not to 4. It's way past my bedtime and I'm really tired. I __________ go to bed. should ought could 5. He __________ have committed this crime. He wasn't even in the city that night. might shouldn't couldn't 6. John is over two hours late already, He __________ missed the bus again. should have must have will have 7. I'm really quite lost. __________ showing me how to get out of here? Would you mind Would you be Must you be 8. That bus is usually on time. It __________ to be here any time now. might has
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ought
9. I read about your plane's near disaster. You __________ terrified! might have been must have been shall have been 10. It's the law. They __________ have a blood test before they get married. might could have to 11. Professor Villa, we've finished our work for today. __________ we leave now, please? May Can Must
Separable Phrasal Verbs: You have to do this paint job over. You have to do over this paint job. You have to do it over